Simon Says

How to play Simon Says

The game shows a sequence of colored flashes – first one, then two, then three, and so on. After each demonstration, repeat the sequence by tapping the pads in the same order. Get it right and the sequence grows by one step; get it wrong and the game ends. Your score is the longest round you completed.

Memory techniques that help

• Say the colors. Speaking or mouthing "green, red, red, blue" recruits your verbal memory alongside visual memory – most players instantly gain several rounds this way.
• Chunk the sequence. Group steps into pairs or triples, the same way you remember phone numbers. "Green-red / red-blue" is easier than four separate items.
• Feel the rhythm. Sequences have a tempo. Replaying the beat in your head encodes order information your eyes alone would miss.
• Look away between rounds. A second of rest helps your brain consolidate the pattern before the next flash begins.

About the game

Simon was introduced as an electronic toy in 1978 and became an icon of the era. Behind the simple lights lies a serious test of sequential working memory – the ability to hold ordered information in mind. Average players reach 8 rounds; passing 14 puts you in expert territory. How far can you go?