Simon Memory Game
Play the classic Simon memory game free in your browser. Watch the pattern of flashing colours and tones, then repeat it back — the sequence grows by one each round. Strict mode, level, and best-score tracking. No download, no signup.
Watch the pattern of flashing colours, then repeat it by tapping the pads. Each round adds one more step. In strict mode, a single mistake ends the game.
How to Play Simon
- 1Press Start and watch the first colour flash.
- 2Repeat the sequence by tapping the pads in order.
- 3Each round adds one more step to remember.
- 4Keep the chain going as long as you can to set a high score.
About the Game
Simon is an electronic memory game first released in 1978, and it became an instant icon of its era — a round device with four big coloured buttons that lit up and played tones in an ever-growing sequence. Its genius is its simplicity: there is only one thing to do, remember the pattern, and yet it becomes gripping almost immediately as the sequence stretches beyond what you can comfortably hold in your head. This browser version recreates that exact loop, complete with the four tones that made the original so memorable.
The Memory Science Behind Simon
Simon is essentially a test of working memory — your ability to hold and reproduce a short sequence of information. Psychologists have long noted that most people can reliably remember about seven items at once, give or take two, which is roughly where many Simon players start to struggle. The secret to going further is chunking: grouping the sequence into small clusters (say, pairs or triples) that you memorise as single units, and leaning on the musical tones to encode the pattern as a melody rather than a list of colours.
Getting a High Score
Beyond chunking, two habits help most. First, say the colours (or hum the tones) to yourselfas they play — verbal and auditory rehearsal dramatically improves recall. Second, stay relaxed and keep a steady rhythm when you tap; rushing causes slips, and slips end runs. Start in normal mode to build the pattern up without pressure, then switch to strict mode when you want to record your best.
Tips to Remember Longer Sequences
Chunk the sequence
Group steps into pairs or triples and memorise each chunk as one unit rather than a long list.
Use the tones
Each pad has a distinct pitch. Remembering the melody is often easier than remembering the colours.
Rehearse out loud
Whisper the colours as they flash. Verbal rehearsal is one of the strongest memory aids there is.
Keep a steady rhythm
Tap at an even pace. Rushing is the most common cause of a mistake near the end of a run.
Watch your hands, not the score
Focus on the pads during input. Glancing away to check the level breaks your concentration.
Practise in normal mode
Build long sequences without the strict penalty first, then switch to strict for your record attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Simon?
Simon shows you a sequence of flashing coloured pads, each with its own tone. When the sequence finishes, you repeat it by tapping the pads in the same order. Each round the game replays the sequence and adds one new step to the end, so it grows longer and harder every turn. You keep going until you make a mistake — your score is the length of the longest sequence you correctly repeated.
What is strict mode?
In normal mode, if you make a mistake the game simply replays the current sequence so you can try again, which is forgiving and good for practice. In strict mode, a single wrong pad ends the game immediately — no second chances. Strict mode is the true test of memory and the standard way to record a serious high score.
Does the game have sound?
Yes. Each of the four pads plays its own musical tone, both when Simon shows the sequence and when you tap a pad. The sounds are generated in your browser and are a genuine memory aid — many players find they remember the melody of the sequence more easily than the colours alone. If your device is muted, the game still works perfectly using the colours.
How high can you score?
The original handheld Simon capped out at 31 steps, but there is no hard limit here. In practice most people can hold five to nine steps comfortably — roughly the famous limit of human short-term memory — and reaching the high teens or twenties takes real practice and a good chunking strategy. Your best score is saved in your browser so you can keep trying to beat it.
Is Simon good for your memory?
Simon is a classic working-memory exercise. Repeating a growing sequence trains your short-term memory, attention, and pattern recall, and the added sound engages auditory memory too. Like any brain game it is not a magic cure, but it is a fun, focused way to practise concentration and sequence memory in short bursts.
Is it free and does it work on mobile?
Yes on both counts. Simon is completely free with no signup and no ads, and it runs entirely in your browser, so it also works offline once loaded. The round board is fully touch-friendly, so you can play by tapping on a phone or tablet exactly as you would click on a computer.
Want to remember longer sequences? Read our guide on how to master the Simon memory game.