Simon – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Simon

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game

48%

WISE Score

4.4

Board Game Geek

The 1978 electronic memory game that's basically 'repeat after me' with beeps—cognitively useful but mind-numbingly repetitive.

Simon

Board Game

48%

WISE Score

4.4

Board Game Geek

The 1978 electronic memory game that's basically 'repeat after me' with beeps—cognitively useful but mind-numbingly repetitive.

4.7

4.4

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Simon is a relic. It does what it claims—trains memory, provides clean fun—but in 2025, it's competing with thousands of more engaging options. The BGG rating of 4.4/10 tells the story: even board game enthusiasts find it dull.

Yes, it's safe. Yes, it has cognitive benefits. But it's also boring as hell after round three. Kids today have access to memory games wrapped in actual narratives, strategic depth, and visual appeal. Simon offers beeps and a sequence. That was revolutionary in 1978; today it's a museum piece.

If you already own it or find it at a garage sale for $5, fine—it'll give your kid a few minutes of retro fun. But as a 2025 purchase? Hard pass. There are better ways to build working memory that don't feel like homework designed by a 1970s computer.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-10 who enjoy simple challenges and haven't discovered more engaging memory games on tablets. Adults will remember it fondly from childhood but probably won't want to play more than once for nostalgia's sake.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A pure memory game with no problematic content—just lights, sounds, and friendly competition. Models perseverance and graceful failure (you get a 'raspberry' when you're out). No chaotic pacing, no conflict-inducing mechanics. It's straightforward, non-toxic fun that works solo or with friends.

Imaginative

Simon is fundamentally a rote memory exercise with zero creative expression or exploration. You repeat patterns—that's it. No storytelling, no building, no problem-solving beyond 'remember the sequence.' It's cognitively engaging in a narrow way (pattern recognition, working memory) but offers nothing imaginative. The electronic beeps and lights were novel in 1978; today they're just...beeps and lights.

Safe

Completely safe. No mature themes, no social dynamics that breed toxicity, no gambling mechanics. It's an electronic memory game—the worst that happens is you lose and hear a buzzer. No online features, no monetization concerns, no content surprises. Board games don't get safer than this.

Enriching

Simon trains working memory and pattern recognition, which has documented cognitive benefits (one study cited 12% IQ gains in kids). But that's where enrichment ends—no strategic depth (BGG weight 1.23), no ethical lessons, no meaningful skill transfer. It's a workout for short-term memory, not a gateway to deeper thinking. Entertainment value is also limited: BGG rating of 4.4/10 and reviews noting 'gets boring very fast' signal that even as a game, it's not particularly compelling beyond the first few rounds.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely trains working memory and pattern recognition (studies show measurable cognitive gains)
Zero learning curve—kids can start playing in 10 seconds
No conflict between players, no bad social dynamics, just you vs. the machine
Portable, battery-powered, works anywhere without setup
Won a 2016 Parents' Choice Award and was Spiel des Jahres recommended in 1979

⚠

What to Watch For

Gets boring fast—most kids will tap out after a few rounds
Zero creativity or strategic depth; it's pure rote memorization
The electronic sounds can be annoying to parents after the 47th beep sequence
At $20-30, you're paying for nostalgia more than entertainment value

Conversation Starters

"How many colors can you remember before your brain gets full?"
"What tricks do you use to remember the pattern—do you sing it in your head?"
"Do you think this game would be easier or harder if it used different sounds?"

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