Simon Game Explained: History, Science, and Memory Training Guide [2026]

What is the Simon Game?

Simon is a classic electronic memory game where players must watch and repeat increasingly long sequences of lights and sounds. Four colored buttons—red, blue, green, and yellow—each produce a unique tone when illuminated. Players repeat the pattern exactly, and with each success, the sequence grows by one.

Invented by Ralph Baer in 1978 and manufactured by Milton Bradley, Simon became one of the most iconic electronic games of all time. It remains popular today as both a fun challenge and an effective brain training tool for sequence memory.

Scientific Background

History of Simon

Simon was created by Ralph Baer, often called "the Father of Video Games." In 1976, Baer and Howard Morrison encountered Atari's arcade game "Touch Me" at a trade show. Baer remarked that the gameplay was good but the execution—boring visuals and grating sounds—was terrible. They set out to create a better version.

Baer built the prototype using a Texas Instruments TMS 1000 microcontroller. The tones were inspired by bugle notes. In May 1978, Simon launched at Studio 54 in New York City with a midnight party where a giant replica descended from the ceiling. It became one of the best-selling toys of that Christmas season at $24.95 retail.

The Science of Sequence Memory

The primary cognitive ability Simon trains is sequence memory (serial recall)—the ability to remember information in a specific order. This skill underlies language acquisition, musical performance, and countless everyday procedures.

Psychologist George Miller's famous 1956 research established that human working memory can hold approximately 7±2 items. In Simon, to exceed this limit, players must employ strategies like chunking (grouping items) and rehearsal (mental repetition).

Cognitive Abilities Measured

How to Play

1. Start the Game

   Click the "Start" button to begin. You can select the display speed (slow, normal, or fast) before starting.

2. Watch the Pattern

   The computer lights up one color and plays its corresponding tone. Watch carefully to see which color lights up and in what order.

3. Repeat the Pattern

   When it's your turn, click the colors in the same order (or use keyboard keys). Success advances you to the next round.

4. Pattern Grows

   With each success, one new color is added to the sequence. The pattern continues growing until you make a mistake.

Score Guide

Tips and Strategies

1. Use Chunking - Break patterns into smaller groups. For example, remember "red-blue" and "green-yellow-red" as separate units rather than five individual colors.

2. Leverage Sound - Each color has a unique tone. Combining colors with sounds as a rhythm is more effective than visual memory alone.

3. Verbal Rehearsal - Silently repeat the colors as you watch: "red, blue, green..." This engages your phonological loop for better retention.

4. Create a Story - Imagine the pattern as a narrative: "Red goes up, blue moves left, green comes back." This creates meaningful connections.

5. Stay Relaxed - Tension impairs memory. Take deep breaths and maintain a calm state while playing.

Combining with Dual N-Back

Simon and Dual N-Back both train memory but target different aspects.

Combining both provides comprehensive memory training. Simon offers quick, accessible sessions while Dual N-Back provides intensive focused training.

Related Articles:

• How to Start Dual N-Back
• What is Working Memory?
• Benefits of Brain Training

FAQ

Conclusion

Simon has been a beloved memory game since its 1978 debut. Behind its simple rules lies an effective tool for training sequence memory and working memory.

The straightforward task of remembering and reproducing light and sound patterns effectively stimulates cognitive functions. It's quick, fun, and suitable for all ages—from children developing their memory skills to adults looking to stay mentally sharp.

Challenge yourself and test your sequence memory abilities!