Fans of Mario are in for a treat the next time they open up the Google Maps app to navigate to their next destination.
In celebration of MAR10 Day, Google and Nintendo are teaming up to bring your favourite mustachioed plumber-turned-racer into your daily drive and he will be accompanying you through town in a new Easter egg feature on Google Maps.
Mario Racing Through Google Maps
To get Mario into your Google Maps is easy.
First, you’ll need to update your app from Google Play or the App Store to the latest version. Once you’ve done that, a yellow question mark (“?”) will appear at the bottom right of your Google Maps app interface on both Android and iOS.
Tap that and you’ll be prompted to enable Mario Time.
Once that’s done, you will find that your navigational arrowhead has been transformed into everyone’s favourite Nintendo game character, complete with sound effects as you drive along in your journey.
This feature is unfortunately only available for driving navigation in the app, so public transportation folks, you’re missing out.
For the next week from 10 to 17 March, Mario will be your companion in your daily drive around town. The feature is currently rolling out globally from today, so don’t be saddened if you don’t see an update for Google Maps immediately.
If you already have the update for your Google Maps app, you can also share where you’ve been with Mario using the hashtag #MarioMaps on Twitter and Instagram to join others like you from around the world.
Check out the the video by Nintendo below to see how Mario will be integrated into the Google Maps app.