Pause for a moment, open Google Chrome, head over to Google Search, and type in: “Do a Barrel Roll 2 times.” The search results page spins, performing an actual barrel roll!
This fun trick joins the ranks of Google’s many quirky Easter eggs, which PCWorld has kept track of for years (see collections from April 2011, January 2011, and March 2008).
Where Did This Google Trick Come From?
The origins of this Easter egg seem to pay homage to Star Fox 64, a 1997 scrolling shooter video game for the Nintendo 64.
In the game, Peppy Hare tells protagonist Fox McCloud to “do a barrel roll,” which the player achieves by pressing the “Z” or “R” button twice.
You can also trigger Google’s version of this by typing “Z or R twice” into the search bar. The phrase has since become an internet meme.
Why Is “Do a Barrel Roll” Trending?
The Google barrel roll trick quickly caught attention, leading to a trending topic on Twitter.
Users couldn’t resist sharing their excitement, with one user saying, “I want to do a barrel roll on every page on the Internet,” while another tweeted, “Channel your inner Peppy: Tell Google to ‘Do a barrel roll!’”
Does This Trick Come with a Warning?
Just a heads up—be mindful of potential motion sickness when trying it out!