About

Simon Says (or just Simon) is the classic electronic memory game. A sequence of colored lights and sounds is shown; you must repeat it in exact order by pressing the corresponding colored buttons. The sequence grows by one step each round, demanding increasingly long-term memory recall. One mistake resets you.

The game is a direct test of working memory capacity. Most people can manage sequences of 8–12 steps fairly easily; 20+ requires active memorization strategies. Creating rhythmic or visual patterns from the sequence — chunking — is the standard technique for extending performance.

Simon is a pure cognitive workout in 3–5 minute sessions. No strategy involved — just recall, rhythm, and concentration.

How to Play

• Watch the sequence of colored lights and listen to their corresponding tones.
• When the sequence finishes, repeat it in exact order by clicking the colored sections.
• Each successful round adds one more step to the sequence.
• One mistake ends the game.

Tips

• Create a rhythm by tapping along during the playback sequence.
• Chunk sequences into groups of 3–4 elements rather than memorizing individually.
• Say the colors quietly as they play — verbal encoding reinforces visual memory.

History

Simon was created by Ralph Baer (inventor of the home video game console) and Howard Morrison and released by Milton Bradley in 1978. The electronic game was a direct response to the success of the Atari 2600 and the emerging electronic game market. It became one of the best-selling toys of the late 1970s and 1980s and has remained in production in various forms for over 45 years. The name derives from the playground game "Simon Says."