Google made an elaborate 16-bit video game that pays homage to Japan hosting the Olympics, and you can play it for free right now

Ben Gilbert
Updated ·1 min read

  • In honor of the Olympics, Google just turned its homepage into a video game platform with one game.

  • "Doodle Champion Island Games" is a free, adorable homage to Japan's history of video game production.

  • The game was produced in collaboration with Tokyo animation firm STUDIO4°C.

  • Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

With the Olympic Games kicking off this week, Google is paying homage to its host city of Tokyo with a full-on video game.

If you head over to Google's homepage, you'll find a play button that opens a surprisingly elaborate video game named "Doodle Champion Island Games."

It costs nothing, is fun to play, and even remembers where you left off if you close the window.

Read more: Netflix's new video-game strategy will live or die by how well it can create mega movie and TV franchises

The game - made in collaboration with Tokyo-based animation firm STUDIO4°C - is playable directly in-browser using the arrow keys and space bar. It stars an adorable calico cat named Lucky who's able to participate in a variety of sporting events.

A table tennis event and a skateboarding event were standouts in the short time we spent with the game, but there's a whole bunch more game in there - at least seven games in total, in addition to "extra hidden challenges," according to Google's blog post.

If nothing else, do yourself a favor and enjoy the aggressively charming intro video right here:

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Read the original article on Business Insider