Memory
(Public Domain), (Self-Published), (Unknown) · Board game · 1900
2–6 · best 2
30 min
Weight 1.1/5
4.9
rating
Ludopedia
4.8
rating
BGG
4.9
rating
Ludopedia
4.8
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
If you enjoy quick, memory‑testing fun with the family, this classic delivers guaranteed enjoyment.
Highlights
- easy to learn
- high replay
- varied themes
Keep in mind
- shallow depth
- can get repetitive
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Rules manual not indexed yet
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Memory, first published by Ravensburger in 1959, traces its lineage back to 16th‑century Japan where shells painted in matching pairs – known as Awase or Kai‑awase – were used. In the US and UK it appeared as Pairs, Pelmanism or Concentration, usually with ordinary cards. The modern version employs square cards laid face‑down, typically 32 pairs, though sets of 24, 48 or more exist, covering themes from animals and art to countries and pop‑culture icons. Players take turns flipping two cards; a match lets them keep the pair and continue, while a miss returns the cards face‑down and passes the turn. The goal is to collect the most pairs once all cards are matched. Two main variants exist: the classic identical‑image version and an educational version where pairs are conceptually linked (e.g., a multiplication problem and its answer). The game is easy to learn, quick (about 30 minutes), and supports 2‑6 players, playable solo, in teams, or with variable set‑ups that boost replayability. Its light weight, portability, and inexpensive components make it ideal for kids, families, and anyone looking for a mental warm‑up before heavier board games.
GALLERY
11 photos · from the community
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In English
2
BEST
3
REC
4
REC
5
OK
6
OK
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
(Public Domain), (Self-Published), (Unknown), Die 3 Spielmacher, Activision, Adamigo, Albert Heijn, Alexander, Alga, Allgäuer Zeitung, Altap, AMIGO, AMMO Books, Anko Spiele, Arrow Games Ltd, Art Keeping, ASS Altenburger Spielkarten, BBC Enterprises, Belmonte, Bendon, Bentino GmbH, Berliner Spielkarten, Bestform, Bible Games Central, Big Box, Bildungszentrum für Natur, Umwelt und ländliche Räume des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, BIS Publishers, Blue Opal, BMG Ariola Merchandising, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bräuner Produktmanagement, Briarpatch, Brinquedos Toia, Brio AB, British Gas, Buena Vista Home Video (Buena Vista Software), Cardinal, Carlit, Cartamundi, The Center for the Gifted Child, Inc., Chetart, Chronicle Books, Classical Historian, Clementoni, Colorforms, .comdirect, Conseil Général de la Moselle, Cool Muses, Counter Clockwise, Dal Negro, danspil, Dečje novine, Denkriesen, Denys Fisher Toys, Depesche, Deutsche Bundespost, Deutsche Eisenbahn-Versicherungskasse (DEVK), Dino Toys s. r. o., Discovery Toys, Diset S. A., Disney Theme Park Merchandise, Djeco, Dourios, Dr. Rolf Ottmüller, Drei Magier Spiele, DSS Games, E.A. Seemann, Early Learning Centre, eBay, ebos wonderful reminders, ED-U-Cards Mfg, Edition Michael Fischer GmbH (EMF Verlag), Editions de la Réunion des musées nationaux, Éditions Flammarion, Éditions Gladius International, Inc., Edm. Romberg & Sohn, Educa Sallent SA, eeBoo, Efko, Egel-Spelen, Encore, Espenlaub, F.X. Schmid, Faber-Castell, Faithful Kids, Falcon Games (I), Falke Wolkenhopper, Fisher Price, Flair Games, Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Frank Schaffer, Frankie & Benny's, Fresh Artists, Galt Toys, Gartenverlag Ansbach, Generalife, Gerstenberg Verlag, Giochi Preziosi, Global Partner, Golden, Gosling Games, Grammar Gamecards, Granada Publishing Limited, Granna, El Greco, Grimaud, Grow Jogos e Brinquedos, h.f.ullmann, HABA, Hallmark Games, Harett-Gilmar, HARIBO GmbH & Co., Hasbro, Hemmets Journal AB, Henkel AG, Hermann-Gmeiner-Fonds Deutschland e.V., House of Marbles, Hugendubel Verlag, HungryRobot, I Can Do That Games, Ideal, Igra Toys, IKEA, Imagination Games, Impact Photographics, Inkognito, Insel Verlag, International Team (I), Irwin Toy Ltd., Jacobsony, Jewish Educational Toys, John Sands Pty Ltd, Joker, Los Juegos del Inca, juegos EDUCA, Jumbo, Justizbehörde Hamburg, K. Hjelm Förlag AB, Kärnan, Kazi Studios, Kellogg's, Kew Gardens, KFC Chicky Club, KIDFUN, Kids Games Ltd, KiK Textilien und Non-Food GmbH, King International, Kirjalito, Klee, Kod Kod, KOSMOS, KOZAK Games, Kronans Apotek, Kustannus Oy Minnie, Lagerhaus, Laurence King Publishing Ltd, LEGO, Litas Spil, Louvre Editions, Magnetic Poetry Inc, Manufactum, MasterPieces Inc., Max Hamburgerrestauranger AB, MB Spellen, MB Spiele, MeterMorphosen, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Michael Stanfield, Milton Bradley, Ministerium für Umwelt, Raumordnung und Landwirtschaft, Missio, Mission Nutrition, MoBi, moll Funktionsmöbel GmbH, Mon Petit Art, moses. Verlag GmbH, Mudpuppy, Murmel Spielwerkstatt und Verlag AG, Music Games, N.W. Damm & Søn (Damm), NASA, Nathan, National Geographic Society, National Wildlife Federation, Neukirchener Verlag, Nickelodeon, Nix-Productions, Noris Spiele, Nürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag, Oetinger Spiele, Off Toulon, Orchard Toys, Oriental Trading Company, Otava, Otto Maier Benelux B.V., Otto Maier Verlag, Oy Fenno-Alga Ab, Palet spil, Paletti, PanGraf, Patch Products, Patmos, Paul Lamond Games Ltd, Pegasus Spiele, Peliko Oy, Peter Hammer Verlag, Philmar, Piatnik, Pippi Post, Pixie Games, Plansecur, play time, Play Time Promotions, PlayMobil Interactive, Pomegranate Communications, Inc., Pressman Toy Corp., Prestel Verlag, Princeton Architectural Press, Princip Game, Rabén & Sjögren, radio Bamberg, Ravensburger AG, REMUS Produktions- und Entwicklungs GmbH, RoseArt, RPS, Schmidt International, Schmidt Spiele, Schülke & Mayr, Schwager & Steinlein, Selecta Spel en Hobby, Selecta Spielzeug, Simba Toys, Siso Trend, SJD Games LTD, Smart Games, Søstrene Grene, Spear's Games, Spektrum der Wissenschaft, Die Spiegelburg, Spiel mal, Spirit Marketing, Stadt Eberswalde, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Suomen Perinnepurjelaivat RY, Tactic, Talicor/Aristoplay, Taz, TEDi, TF1 Games, Time Life, Top-Toy, Tourist Verlag, Toysmith, Tree Toys, Trefl, Uljö, University Games, Veggiebirds GmbH, Verein für Zahnhygiene e.V., Verlag für Lehrmittel Pössneck, Verlag Junge Welt, Verlagshaus Braun, Viacom International, Vilac, W-H Almere (Wins-Holland), Waddingtons, Wonder Forge, YOY
Designer
(Uncredited)
Artist
Achim Bednorz, Albert Lemant, Albert Uderzo, Alexa Zurcher, Ali Mitgutsch, Amanda Milne, Anke Pohl, Anne Geddes, Anne-Catherine Sigrid Stahlberg, Antje Bohnstedt, Antonio Lupatelli, Arnold Reisse, Axel Scheffler, Betty Root, Boris Roger, Charles Ormond Eames, Jr, Charley Harper, Chet Phillips, Christian Moser, Christine Berrie, Christof Herdt, Courtney Davis, Daniel Frost, Dick Bruna, Dik Bruynesteyn, Dorothee Hufer, E. H. Shepard, Eelco Martinus ten Harmsen van der Beek, Eric Carle, Fábio Prata, Flávia Nalon, Gunilla Bergström, Guusje Siegers, H. A. Rey, Hans de Beer, Hans Ticha, Hedwig Munck, Helen Craig, Helme Heine, Hergé, Hermann Wernhard, Ingrid Vang Nyman, Jan Saße, Janosch, Jean de Brunhoff, Jim Henson, John Hersey, John Kovalic, Jonas Hufer, Joscha Sauer, Kevin Hawkes, Kim Raymond, Klaus Baumgart, Klemens Franz, Květa Pacovská, Laura aus dem Siepen, Lena Landström, Lizzy Rockwell, Lydia Ortiz, Magdalena Konopásková, Margret Rey, Marie Felix, Mark Baker, Martha-Luise Gubig, Mathias Surges, Mirko Suzuki, Nina Laden, Olaf Landström, Paul Frank, Pepa Bonilla, Ray Eames, Renate Hofbauer, René Goscinny, Robert Tomala, Robert Velter, Roger Hargreaves, Sarah Heuzeroth, Shirley Barber, Silvio Neuendorf, Stephanie Graegin, Susanna Shannon, Takao Aoki, Theodor Seuss Geisel, Thilo Rick, Thomas Thiemeyer, Wiliam Hurter, Wolf Erlbruch, Yang Liu
How many players can play?
2 to 6 players, with options for team or solo play.
How long does a game last?
Approximately 30 minutes, depending on the number of cards.
What is the game’s complexity?
Very low, suitable for children as young as 4.
What components are included?
A set of square cards with images or symbols, typically 32 pairs.
Who is the game recommended for?
Families, kids, beginners, and anyone looking for a mental warm‑up before heavier board games.
