How to Turn a Location Icon on Google Maps Into a Cartoon Car
iOS: Earlier this year, Google teamed up with Nintendo to turn Google Maps into Mario Kart , replacing the usual in-app location icon with a plumber punching a red kart. The crossover didn’t last long, but now Google is bringing back some of that magic with a new update to the Maps app for iOS.
To unlock this feature, first make sure you have the latest version of Google Maps for iOS installed. Then open the app, select a destination, tap on driving directions and tap Start. You should see the usual blue arrow hovering over your current location. Click on it to open a new menu with three other cartoon options: the standard red sedan, the green pickup stunt, and the yellow SUV.
For now, this is the only choice you have besides the traditional location icon, but perhaps Google could add even more cars and colors in the future. I would also like to see similar cartoon images for cycling, walking, and public transport (and I wouldn’t complain if they brought back the Mario Kart variant).
Of course, this is purely a cosmetic feature with no utilitarian benefits. It won’t help you get to your destination faster or show you the best route (try Waze for that). However, given how many people rely on Google Maps on a daily basis, it’s nice to know that the company is also working to make the experience a little more fun.