Introduction
Doodle Champion Island Games is an interactive role-playing browser game developed by Google in collaboration with Tokyo-based animation studio Studio 4°C. Launched on July 23, 2021, as a Google Doodle, it celebrates the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021 due to delays) and the 2020 Summer Paralympics, while also paying homage to Japanese folklore and culture.
The game features a vibrant, retro 16-bit art style and follows the adventures of Lucky, a calico ninja cat, as she arrives on Champion Island to compete in a series of sports-themed mini-games. The goal is to defeat seven legendary champions, collect their sacred scrolls, and become the Island Champion, all while exploring the island and completing various side quests.
How to play
Controls
- Keyboard: Use the arrow keys or W.A.S.D to move Lucky around the island. The spacebar or Enter key is typically used to interact with characters, objects, or start mini-games.
- Mouse: Click to navigate menus or select dialogue options during interactions.
Gameplay
- Choose a Team: After the initial table tennis match, you’ll pick a team (Red, Blue, Yellow, or Green). Your performance in the game contributes points to your team’s global leaderboard score.
- Explore the Island: The island is an open world with various regions connected by paths. Use the compass to view the map and locate the seven main sports challenges, marked by red gates.
- Compete in Mini-Games: Each of the seven champions specializes in a unique sport. Defeat them to earn a sacred scroll. The mini-games are:
- Table Tennis: Face Tengu in a fast-paced paddle duel.
- Skateboarding: Perform tricks to outscore Tanuki.
- Archery: Aim precisely to beat Yoichi near the lotus pond.
- Rugby: Dodge Oni to score goals.
- Artistic Swimming: Match rhythms with Princess Oto-hime in a Dance Dance Revolution-style challenge.
- Climbing: Scale a mountain while avoiding obstacles from Fukuro.
- Marathon: Race the Kijimuna along a beach track.
- Winning Scrolls: Beat each champion to collect their scroll. After obtaining all seven, a cherry blossom tree blooms, and Lucky is crowned Island Champion.
Side Quests and Trophies
- Beyond the main sports, the island is packed with side quests. Talk to NPCs (non-player characters) to help them with tasks, like finding lost items or inspiring them to pursue dreams.
- Completing these quests earns you trophies (24 in total, including Paralympics updates). Trophies are displayed in the Trophy House at the island’s center.
- Some quests unlock harder versions of the mini-games, adding extra challenge.
Extra Challenges
- After collecting 23 trophies, a secret quest activates. Visit the podium with no trophy to see the message “don’t trust the bird,” leading you to find the true Trophy Master, Momo (from Google’s Magic Cat Academy Doodle).
- Paralympics updates added new quests and an advanced rugby mode, enhancing replayability.
