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You can’t rely on the old Mario Time instructions to add Super Mario to Google Maps today. Google announced the feature as a one-week promotion in March 2018; its announcement does not confirm that Mario Time is available in the current app. The original steps are useful as a record of how the promotion worked, not as a current setup guide.
What was Mario Time in Google Maps?
Mario Time was a temporary Google Maps promotion announced by Google in collaboration with Nintendo for MAR10 Day on March 9, 2018. During the promotion, Mario appeared in place of the usual navigation arrow while users followed driving directions. Google said the rollout was global and would last one week.
Google’s announcement credits UX Engineer Munish Dabas and included this reminder: “Just remember to practice safe driving on the road—we don’t encourage throwing bananas or red shells at other drivers in real life!”
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For the 2018 promotion, Google described these steps in the Google Maps app for Android and iOS:
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- With up to a 100' range this RC can go the distance
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- Update Google Maps from Google Play or the App Store.
- Open Maps and tap the yellow “?” icon at the bottom right.
- When prompted, enable Mario Time.
After activation, the usual navigation arrow changed into Mario during driving navigation. These are the instructions Google gave for the one-week 2018 promotion; they are not confirmed steps for the current app.
Can you still turn Mario Time on?
Google’s March 2018 announcement does not establish that Mario Time remains available. It also does not verify that the yellow question-mark button still exists in current versions of Maps. You can check the app you have installed, but don’t expect the old steps to work or treat the feature as a currently supported setting.
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- Press down, pull back, and let go! Carrera Pull & Speed pull-back cars are lightning fast and fun for both children and adults!
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Do you need to buy anything?
No physical item was required by the instructions Google announced. Mario Kart games, Super Mario merchandise, and car mounts do not enable Mario guidance in Google Maps.
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Set up navigation before you start driving, and don’t handle or inspect your phone while the vehicle is moving. The novelty of a different navigation icon is no reason to take attention off the road.
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- Press down, pull back, and let go! Carrera Pull & Speed pull-back cars are lightning fast and fun for both children and adults!
- Official Licensed Nintendo Mario Kart Product makes a great gift for young and old Mario Kart fans and collectors
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- Authentic design and highly detailed car in 1:43 scale provides high speed fun on all surfaces
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