Mario Time was a real Google Maps Easter egg, but it was a temporary promotion that ended in March 2018. Google and Nintendo launched it on March 9 for Mario Day, March 10 (“MAR10”); the announced weeklong promotion ran through March 17. During that period, Mario in a kart replaced the usual navigation arrow in the Google Maps mobile app. Google’s current help page describes ordinary vehicle avatars, not Mario, so the old yellow-question-mark instructions are historical—not a way to activate Mario today.
What was Mario Time in Google Maps?
Mario Time was a Google Maps and Nintendo collaboration for Mario Day 2018. In the mobile app, it changed the navigation marker from the standard arrow to Mario driving a kart. Google announced the feature on March 9, 2018, for Android and iOS users, ahead of March 10, known as “MAR10.” The promotion was global and temporary, with Google saying Mario would remain available for one week. Google’s announcement and a regional Google post give the promotion dates as March 9 through March 17, 2018.
It was a visual navigation Easter egg, not a playable Mario Kart mode: Mario followed the route as the map’s marker. There was no racing, item throwing, or coin collecting.
How to activate Mario Time—the original 2018 steps
These were the steps during the promotion, not a current activation method. Google’s original instructions were to update Maps, tap the yellow question-mark icon, and follow the Mario Time prompt. Depending on app version, device, and rollout timing, the screen sequence could vary slightly.
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- Update the Google Maps mobile app through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Open Maps, enter a destination, and start or prepare to start driving navigation.
- Look for the yellow “?” icon near the lower-right area of the map.
- Tap the icon and choose or enable “Mario Time!” when prompted.
- During the promotion, Mario in a kart replaced the usual navigation arrow.
The yellow question mark belonged to the 2018 promotional interface; it is not a permanent control that users can rely on to find Mario now. Google’s announcement describes the original flow.
Is Mario Time still available?
No—not as the original 2018 promotion. The announced availability ended after the weeklong event, on March 17, 2018. Google’s current Maps help for changing the navigation vehicle explains how to choose from available vehicle avatars but does not list Mario or a Mario Time setting.
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That does not prove Google could never run another Mario promotion. It means there is no current official documentation establishing that Mario Time is active. If you see instructions to tap a yellow question mark, check the page or video date: many search results preserve the original 2018 walkthrough without making its expiration clear.
How to change your Google Maps navigation icon today
Google’s current mobile-app guidance offers a standard vehicle-avatar selector. It changes the navigation marker, but it does not restore Mario.
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- Open Google Maps, enter a destination, and start navigation.
- Tap the blue arrow or the current vehicle icon.
- Swipe through the available driving avatars.
- Choose an avatar and, where offered, select a color; tap Done.
The choices and interface can vary by app build, device, account, or region; Google’s help page does not promise the same avatar menu on every setup. In-car displays can also differ from the phone app. Google notes that car navigation availability and functionality may depend on the vehicle manufacturer, region, language, and data plan in its help for Google Maps in a car. Do not assume Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or a Google built-in display will show the same options as the mobile app.
Why you cannot find the Mario option
- The promotion expired. The yellow “?” and Mario Time prompt were part of the March 2018 event, not a permanent Maps setting.
- Old coverage can look current. Articles, videos, and screenshots may show the original steps without foregrounding the date.
- Vehicle avatars are a separate feature. The present-day selector is not evidence that Mario Time continued.
- Interface availability varies. If the current vehicle selector does not appear, restart Maps and check for an app update. Google’s general navigation help covers Android navigation, but an update is not a way to bring back the expired Mario promotion.
If you are trying to find Mario specifically, there is no documented hidden switch or current official restoration method.
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Safety and privacy
Mario Time changed an on-screen marker; it did not make driving a game. Google’s 2018 announcement joked about bananas and red shells but explicitly cautioned users not to throw objects at other drivers. Set navigation before driving and do not handle your phone on the road. If sharing a screenshot, remove personal details such as home or work addresses; Google made the same privacy warning when encouraging users to post with #MarioMaps.
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