Google Block Breaker: The Arcade Game You Didn’t Know Existed

Ever felt a wave of nostalgia for the simple, addictive arcade games of the past? You might be surprised to learn that Google has a history of tucking away playable retro games within its search results. If you’ve ever heard whispers of a “Google Block Breaker” game, you’ve stumbled upon one of the most beloved of these hidden gems.

While you won’t find it by searching for that exact name, the game you’re likely looking for is Atari Breakout, a classic that Google once turned into a delightful, interactive Easter egg. Let’s break down the history of this iconic game and how you can still enjoy a piece of arcade history.

What is the Google Block Breaker Game?

What many refer to as “Google Block Breaker” was actually a surprise tribute from Google to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the legendary arcade game, Breakout, released by Atari in 1976. In 2013, Google’s engineers embedded a fully playable version of the game directly into Google Image Search.

The gameplay was simple yet brilliant:

1. A user would search for “Atari Breakout” in Google Images.
2. The search results page would then dramatically transform. The gallery of images would become colorful bricks at the top of the screen.
3. A paddle appeared at the bottom, which you could control with your mouse, along with a small ball.
4. Your mission was to move the paddle to bounce the ball, break all the image “bricks,” and clear levels without letting the ball fall past your paddle.

This Easter egg was a fantastic nod to gaming history and a perfect example of Google’s playful company culture. It was widely praised for its creativity and for introducing a new generation to a classic that helped shape the video game industry.

The Discontinuation of a Classic Easter Egg

Unfortunately, like many of Google’s hidden tricks, the original Atari Breakout Easter egg within Image Search was eventually discontinued. If you try the old trick today, it will simply return pictures of the game.

However, the game is not lost to time! Thanks to web archives, you can still play the classic Google version. The game is preserved and fully functional on elgooG, a fan-made site that archives many of Google’s past Easter eggs.

Play it Here: You can play the restored Atari Breakout game by visiting https://elgoog.im/breakout/.

The Rich History of Atari Breakout

The story of the original Breakout is a significant piece of Silicon Valley lore. The game was developed and published by Atari, Inc. The concept was conceived by Nolan Bushnell and Steve Bristow, the minds behind the revolutionary Pong.

Interestingly, the task of creating a prototype with a minimal number of logic chips was handed to a young Atari technician: Steve Jobs. Jobs, in turn, enlisted the help of his friend, Steve Wozniak (who would later co-found Apple with him). Wozniak designed the ingenious hardware prototype in just four days. This project not only produced a massively successful arcade game but also influenced Wozniak’s later designs for the Apple II computer, which featured color graphics and paddle support.

Breakout was a huge commercial success and spawned an entire genre of “block breaker” or “block kuzushi” games in Japan. Its influence can be seen in countless titles that followed, including the famous Arkanoid.

The Modern “Block Breaker” on Google

While the Atari Breakout tribute is now a fond memory within Google’s own pages, the spirit of the game lives on. In early 2025, reports surfaced of a new, arcade-style mini-game appearing directly in the Google search results page called Block Breaker.

This new version is not a direct copy but is clearly inspired by the classic. It features more modern, smooth gameplay and is easily accessible by simply searching for “Block Breaker”. It shows that even in an age of incredibly advanced games, the simple joy of bouncing a ball to clear a wall of bricks remains timeless.

A Lasting Legacy

From its origins with the future founders of Apple to its clever revival as a Google Easter egg, Breakout has a legacy that few games can match. It represents a foundational moment in video game history, where simple mechanics created an addictive and wildly entertaining experience.

The “Google Block Breaker” game, in its various forms, is more than just a hidden feature; it’s a testament to the enduring power of classic arcade fun. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most engaging experiences are the ones that are beautifully simple. So next time you have a few minutes to spare, why not take a trip down memory lane and break a few blocks?