Someone(s) at Google was A) born in the late ’70s/early ’80s and B) has a little too much time on their hands.
How else can you explain the totally rad April 1 “release” of Google Maps 8-bit for NES featuring maps modeled after the video game classic Dragon Warrior (1986). We need this!(?) Let Google explain:
In our pursuit of new digital frontiers, we realized that we may have left behind a large number of users who couldn’t access Google Maps on their classic hardware. Surprisingly, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was unsupported, despite its tremendous popularity with over 60 million units sold worldwide.
!!!
The new “Google Maps Quest” features garishly colored “overworld” and street view maps rendered in beautiful 8-bit detail. So we thought we’d poke around HumCo (so that you don’t have to). Anybody else’s thumbs hurt just looking at these?
Beautiful Humboldt Bay! (Click to enlarge.)
8-bit Arcata!
8-bit Eureka!
8-bit Ferndale!
8-bit Fortuna!
You can still get (8-bit) detailed directions. Here asked how to get from The Shanty to The Alibi. Now we know to essentially just head northeast and stay on the dirt path. Thanks, Google!
(If you wanna try, go to Google Maps and click “Quest.” Goodbye, morning.)
This article appears in The Death of Redevelopment.
BREAKING: If you use the Konami code while viewing the Arcata Plaza, you can fly around on Mckinley’s back!
^ ^ v v < > < > A B
Eureka pier; madaket turns into submarine (secret level!)
Eureka courthouse; press during cutscene; choose your partner for the boss battle. (Stoner bear or Zoltar)
Ink People; press standing in front of kiln; open kiln; special weapon!
Lost Coast; go up stairs-look over railing-use first person view – use code; new transportation to ride (Giant Spider)
Will tell you if I find more.
Man. Game totally crashed when I tried to play the “Legalize Marijuana Battle Mode.” Had to reset.
My Nintendo burst into flames when the player picked up some meth from the tweakers! Oh well……