What is Simon Says and how do you play it?

Simon Says is a memory & skill game where players compete to achieve the highest score. The game features intuitive controls, progressive difficulty, and engaging gameplay mechanics. Simply use your keyboard, touch screen, or gamepad to control the action and complete objectives.

Can I play Simon Says on my mobile phone or tablet?

Yes! Simon Says is fully optimized for mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. The game features responsive touch controls that work seamlessly on iOS and Android devices. Simply open your browser and start playing - no app download required.

Does Simon Says support keyboard controls?

Absolutely! Simon Says has full keyboard support with intuitive key mappings. Use arrow keys or WASD for movement, Space for actions, and Enter to confirm. All controls are responsive and designed for optimal gameplay on PC.

Can I use a gamepad or controller to play Simon Says?

Yes! Simon Says supports Xbox, PlayStation, and generic USB controllers. Connect your gamepad and use the D-pad or analog stick for movement, face buttons for actions, and triggers for special moves. Button mappings follow standard controller conventions.

Is Simon Says free to play?

Yes, Simon Says is 100% free to play with no hidden costs, in-app purchases, or subscriptions. Enjoy unlimited gameplay without spending a penny. Play as many times as you want!

Memory Game

Simon Says

Remember and repeat the color pattern - how far can you go?

Games

Best

Average

Press Start to begin

SIMON

Speed:

Keyboard: Q (green), W (red), A (yellow), S (blue) | Space to start

What is Simon Says?

Simon Says is a legendary electronic memory game that has captivated players of all ages since Milton Bradley first released it in 1978. Invented by Ralph H. Baer and Howard J. Morrison, the game challenges your ability to remember and repeat sequences of colored lights and sounds that grow progressively longer with each successful round.

The concept is deceptively simple: Simon flashes a sequence of colors, and you must repeat it exactly. Start with one color, then two, then three - each round adds another element to the sequence. What begins as an easy task quickly becomes a formidable challenge as you try to remember longer and more complex patterns. This simplicity, combined with escalating difficulty, is what makes Simon Says so addictive and beloved by generations of players.

Beyond pure entertainment, Simon Says has been recognized as an excellent tool for cognitive development. The game exercises working memory, the mental workspace where we temporarily hold and manipulate information. Research shows that regular practice with sequential memory tasks like Simon can improve attention span, concentration, and even academic performance in children and adults alike.

Our online version faithfully recreates the classic Simon experience with the iconic four colored buttons, distinct tones for each color, and the satisfying challenge of pushing your memory to its limits. Whether you are a nostalgic fan of the original electronic toy or a newcomer looking to train your brain, Simon Says offers an engaging way to test and improve your memory skills.

How to Play Simon Says

Start the Game

Press the Start button or hit Spacebar to begin playing

Watch Carefully

Observe which colored light flashes and listen to its sound

Repeat the Sequence

Click or press keys to repeat the exact pattern shown

Watch it Grow

Each round adds one more color to the sequence

Beat Your Best

Keep going until you make a mistake, then try again!

Tips and Strategies for Longer Sequences

Chunk the Sequence

Break long sequences into smaller groups of 2-4 colors. For example, instead of remembering G-R-Y-B-G-R, think of it as GR-YB-GR. Chunking is a proven memory technique used by memory champions worldwide.

Use Both Sound and Sight

Each color has a unique tone. Use both the visual flashes and the distinct sounds to create stronger memory traces. Processing through multiple senses helps encode information more deeply in your memory.

Create a Rhythm

Turn the sequence into a beat or rhythm. Tap your foot or nod along with each color. Musical rhythm engages different parts of your brain and can dramatically improve sequence retention.

Use Position Mnemonics

Associate colors with their positions: Green (top-left), Red (top-right), Yellow (bottom-left), Blue (bottom-right). Think of sequences as movement patterns like up-left, down-right.

Learn Keyboard Controls

Using keyboard shortcuts (Q, W, A, S) can be faster than clicking. Practice until the keys become second nature. Faster input means less time for your memory to fade between colors.

Practice Daily

Even 5-10 minutes of daily practice can significantly improve your working memory capacity. Consistency matters more than session length. Track your high score to see your progress over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Simon Says is an electronic memory game where a sequence of colored lights flashes and you must repeat the pattern in the exact order. The game starts with one light, and each round adds another color to the sequence, making it progressively more challenging. Originally created by Milton Bradley in 1978, Simon features four colored pads (red, blue, green, yellow) each with a distinct sound. You win by correctly repeating increasingly longer sequences.

Yes, playing Simon regularly provides significant cognitive benefits. Scientific studies show that sequence-recall games like Simon stimulate the prefrontal cortex, improving short-term memory, attention span, and pattern-recognition skills. The game trains your brain to concentrate, minimize distractions, and rapidly decode and recall sequences. It's particularly beneficial for children developing concentration skills and for adults seeking to maintain mental agility.

Score ranges vary by skill level: beginners typically reach 5-10 colors in sequence, intermediate players can remember 15-20 colors, and expert players can recall 30 or more colors. The average player reaches about 7-12 colors. With regular practice, most players can significantly improve their scores as working memory capacity increases over time.

There are several proven memory techniques for Simon: 1) Chunk the pattern by breaking long sequences into groups of 2-3 colors. 2) Use rhythm by humming the tones or tapping your foot to reinforce auditory memory. 3) Associate colors with positions on the board. 4) Use both visual and auditory cues together for stronger memory encoding. 5) Practice daily - even 5 minutes a day noticeably boosts working memory capacity.

Yes, you can play Simon Says online for free right here! This browser-based version replicates the classic electronic game experience with the same four colored buttons, distinct sounds for each color, and progressively challenging sequences. It works on any device - desktop, tablet, or mobile - with no download required. Your high scores are saved locally so you can track your improvement.

Yes! This Simon Says game supports multiplayer race mode where you can compete against friends to see who can remember the longest sequence. Create a room, share the code with friends, and everyone gets the same sequence to repeat. Multiplayer mode adds exciting competition to see who has the best memory!

This online version supports keyboard controls for faster gameplay: Use Q for green (top-left), W for red (top-right), A for yellow (bottom-left), and S for blue (bottom-right). You can also use number keys 1-4 for the same colors. Press Space or N to start a new game. All shortcuts are displayed by clicking the keyboard icon in the bottom right corner.

Simon offers multiple difficulty settings: Slow speed gives more time to watch and remember patterns (best for beginners and children), Normal speed provides balanced challenge for most players, and Fast speed tests quick reflexes and memory under pressure. The original electronic Simon also increases speed automatically after the 5th, 9th, and 13th signals in a sequence, adding extra challenge.

If you press the wrong color or take more than 5 seconds to respond (in the original game), Simon responds with a 'RAZZ' sound and the game ends. Your final score is the length of the last sequence you successfully completed. This creates exciting tension as sequences get longer - one wrong move ends the game! You can immediately start a new game to try again and beat your high score.

Simon was invented by Ralph H. Baer and Howard J. Morrison and first released by Milton Bradley in 1978. It was an instant success, becoming one of the most popular electronic toys of the era. The name was inspired by the classic children's game 'Simon Says.' The original game used a computer chip to generate random sequences and became an icon of 1980s pop culture.

Playing Simon regularly provides multiple cognitive benefits: improved working memory capacity, enhanced concentration and focus, better pattern recognition skills, faster reaction times, and increased neuroplasticity. It's recommended by occupational therapists for cognitive rehabilitation and by educators for developing attention skills in children.

Benefits of Playing Simon Says

Enhanced Working Memory

Simon directly trains your working memory, the mental scratchpad for temporarily storing and manipulating information. Stronger working memory improves learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Improved Concentration

Focusing on sequences helps train sustained attention. Regular practice can improve your ability to concentrate on tasks without getting distracted, benefiting work, study, and daily life.

Pattern Recognition

Your brain learns to identify and process patterns more efficiently. This skill transfers to many areas including music, mathematics, language learning, and strategic thinking.

Faster Reactions

Playing at faster speeds trains your visual-motor response time. Quicker reactions help in sports, gaming, driving, and any activity requiring rapid decision-making.

Stress Relief

Focusing on a simple, engaging task provides a mental break from daily stresses. The satisfying challenge of beating your high score releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter.

Learning Aid for Children

Simon helps children develop essential cognitive skills in a fun way. It builds attention span, following instructions, and sequential processing needed for reading and math.

Why Play Simon Says on YaliKit?

100% Free Forever

No subscriptions, no premium features locked behind paywalls. Enjoy unlimited Simon Says with all features completely free of charge.

Authentic Sound Effects

Each color has its own distinct tone, just like the classic game. Toggle sound on or off depending on your preference and environment.

Three Speed Settings

Choose Slow, Normal, or Fast speeds to match your skill level. Start slow to learn, then increase speed for extra challenge as you improve.

Track Your Progress

Your high score, average score, and games played are saved locally. Monitor your improvement and challenge yourself to beat your records.

Multiplayer Mode

Compete with friends to see who can remember the longest sequence. Create a room, share the code, and race in real-time multiplayer.

Works on All Devices

Play on desktop with keyboard shortcuts or tap to play on mobile and tablet. Responsive design ensures a great experience on any screen size.