Google finally launches Cube, play your way through a cubic Google Maps world

Back in January, Google released a teaser video for a Google maps-based game that was set to be released in February.  But February, came and went and the game wasn’t released.  Now, Google has finally quietly launched the game online at www.playmapscube.com.

Travel through New York, Tokyo and many other cities and learn all about the Google map features.   You can even bike your way through San Francisco as fast as possible and Google recommends you pay attention to the biking layer on the map to see which roads are safer.

To play, you navigate the marble by using your cursor.  As you finish each level, your time is recorded.

I stumbled upon the newly launched game after checking the web address which Google registered (Whois) earlier this week.  The website went live in the past 24 hours.

The game is split up into eight levels.

Level 1 has you maze your way through the busy streets of Manhattan to reach your friends at the Brooklyn Bowl.

Level 2 has you in San Francisco on two wheels, biking your way to four different landmarks.

You’re finding your way through Paris traffic to the Eiffel tower on Level 3.  Google recommends you pay attention to the traffic layer to see which roads are fast and which will grind you to a halt.  If you take a busy route, your marble slows.

On Level 4, you’re in the London Underground trying to get to the Big Ben during rush hour. Google points out the subway lines are connected by color and you need to find the fastest combination possible.

Visit Tokyo on Level 5.  You need to find your way through the complex streets of the city, visiting all the tourist locations while paying close attention to the road network.

Dine in Las Vegas on Level 6. You must visit all the six reviewed restaurants in central Las Vegas in the smallest time possible.

Go indoors finally on Level 7.  Find your way through the Mall of America and collect all of the Google Offers on each of the four floors.

On Level 8 you step it up a notch using your knowledge of the previous levels to find your fastest route to your objective in the ever changing cubic city.

At the time of this story, the fastest total time is 2 minutes 45 seconds.

Talking about this story: Techmeme, Engadget, TechRadar UK, VentureBeat, 36kr, NevilleHobson.com, netzwertig.com, Tech2, SlashGear and Gizmodo