Google’s Halloween 2016 Doodle was Magic Cat Academy, a short game in which you help a young cat wizard named Momo fend off ghosts by drawing or swiping the symbols shown above them. It has a magical-school setting that may remind players of Harry Potter, but Google describes it as its own original story—not an official Harry Potter game or tie-in.
What is Google’s Magic Cat Academy game?
Google published the playable Doodle on October 31, 2016. In its story, Momo is a first-year feline student at a school of magic. Ghosts invade, and she must rescue her friends and restore peace. Google’s Halloween 2016 Doodle archive describes five locations in the school:
- Library
- Cafeteria
- Classroom
- Gym
- Rooftop
How do you play?
Look at the symbol displayed above a ghost, then draw or swipe that symbol on the screen to cast a spell. The input needs to be quick and precise, as Google’s contemporaneous post about the game explains.
A touchscreen is convenient, but a mouse also works, according to contemporary reporting by BetaNews. The game does not require a wand or stylus.
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#1 Best Overall
- Purrfect family strategy: Play a cat board game of property trading for 2-6 players, ages 8 and up, with clever deals, bidding, and dice-driven turns for game nights, parties, and gatherings
- Educational breed facts: Every property deed includes engaging cat trivia and care insights, helping kids, teens, and adults learn while they buy, sell, and trade, boosting reading, memory, and comprehension
- Premium themed components: March around a vibrant board using tokens like milk bottle, mouse, sardines, yarn ball, fish, and cat food, with durable cards, crisp money, a clear rulebook, and a handy storage tray
- Replayable twists and choices: Tackle dog taxes, water mishaps, and resource shifts from Litter Boxes to Fish Bones, rewarding negotiation, risk management, and long-term strategic planning every single game
- Gift-ready and easy to play: Quick setup and simple rules deliver screen-free fun, an ideal holiday or birthday gift for cat lovers, families, and groups seeking a lively tabletop party game night
Why does the game bring Harry Potter to mind?
The comparison comes from the magical-school premise and spell-casting gameplay. The original BetaNews headline called it “Harry Potter-inspired,” but that description is a comparison, not evidence of a franchise connection. Google’s archive and official blog describe Magic Cat Academy as its own setting and do not identify it as an official Harry Potter game or tie-in.
Who is Momo?
Google says the character was inspired by Doodler Juliana Chen’s real black cat, also named Momo. The team first considered a magic cat whose soup could raise the dead, then chose a wizard-school story because the soup idea felt too abstract for Halloween.
Rank #2
- THE WORLD IS FLAT: Cats know it!! To prove it, they are going to knock stuff off the edge of the world.
- OBJECT OF THE GAME: In this light family strategy game, use your cards to move cats across the Earth and knock your opponent’s houses over the edge.
- MORE CATS: Every time you shuffle the draw deck, another cat is added to the board.
- BEWARE: Special cards can cause more chaos than just cats themselves.
- WINNING: The last player with any houses left on Cat Earth wins the game.
Where did the game come from?
The Doodle appeared on October 31, 2016, as Google’s Halloween game. In its official post, Momo invites players to help by drawing the symbols over the ghosts. The post jokes, “With a swipe of your paw (or should I say wave of your wand)”; that playful wand reference is part of the character’s voice, not an indication of a Harry Potter license.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Award Winner: 2021 American Tabletop Award for best strategy game.
- Cozy and Family-Friendly: family mode is great for new gamers.
- Easy to Teach and Learn: plays in 30-45 minutes, for 1-4 players.
- Spatial Puzzle Game: compete to sew the coziest quilt and attract cats.
- Endlessly Replayable : with plenty of modular scoring conditions and variable setup, no two games of Calico will be the same!
Rank #4
- CHAIN REACTIONS EVERY TURN – Each kitten placement creates playful but strategic boops that shift pieces across the board, turning simple moves into tense moments of disruption, surprise, and clever opportunity.
- ADORABLE COMPONENTS WITH DEPTH – Includes 32 beautifully crafted kittens and cats that add irresistible charm while delivering an engaging tactical experience appealing to both newcomers and seasoned strategy fans.
- QUICK TO LEARN STRATEGIC TO MASTER – Plays in under 30 minutes with intuitive rules, making it ideal for kids, adults, friends, and couples who enjoy fast paced abstract games filled with meaningful decision making.
- UNPREDICTABLE BOOP MECHANIC – Designed for ages 10 plus, kittens push adjacent pieces one space, creating shifting patterns, unexpected openings, and lively back and forth challenges as players work to line up three in a row.
- IDEAL CHOICE FOR CAT AND GAME FANS – Features a soft quilted bed board, delightful wooden pieces, and a whimsical yet tactical experience that blends cute aesthetics with clever gameplay perfect for competitive duos.
Rank #3
- Trusted By Families Worldwide - With Over 50 Million Sold, Thinkfun Is The World'S Leading Manufacturer Of Brain Games And Mind Challenging Puzzles
- Develops Critical Skills – Gameplay Provides A Stealth Learning Experience, Where Players Learn Critical Reasoning And Logical Deduction Skills As They Solve The Increasingly Difficult Challenges
- What You Get - Components Are Well Made And Durable, Includes A Game Board, 6 Cat Pieces, 6 Crime Tokens, 40 Challenges And Solutions For Players Aged 8+, With A Fun Theme And Hilarious Artwork
- Clear Instructions – Easy To Learn With A Clear, High Quality Instruction Manual You Can Start Playing And Solving Right Away
- Skill level: intermediate
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