The 1990s were a wild time for toys. From Tamagotchis to Furbies, it seemed like every month brought a new must-have gadget that would dominate playgrounds and living rooms. But amidst the digital pets and plushy robots, there was a classic electronic game that held a special place in our 90s hearts: Simon Says.
For those who might be too young to remember, or whose memories are a little fuzzy, Simon Says wasn’t about following verbal instructions. It was a sleek, often brightly colored, circular device with four large buttons – typically red, blue, green, and yellow. Each button corresponded to a unique tone. The game’s premise was deceptively simple: Simon would light up a sequence of buttons and play the corresponding tones, and your job was to repeat the exact sequence.
It started easy enough. A single flash and a single beep. “Okay, I’ve got this,” you’d think confidently. But then Simon would add another step. And another. And another. Suddenly, your brain was working overtime, trying to remember that specific order of flashing lights and beeping sounds. The tension would build with each successful repetition, the anticipation growing as you waited for Simon’s next move.
What made Simon Says so addictive in the 90s? Perhaps it was the satisfying click of the oversized buttons. Maybe it was the catchy, albeit sometimes repetitive, electronic melodies. Or maybe it was the pure, unadulterated challenge of testing your memory and concentration.
In a pre-smartphone era, Simon Says was a fantastic way to entertain yourself and your friends. It was the perfect game for car rides (though the beeping could sometimes drive parents crazy!), sleepovers, and even just a quiet afternoon at home. You could play solo, trying to beat your own high score, or take turns with friends, adding a competitive edge to the mix. The bragging rights for achieving the longest sequence were definitely something to strive for!
The design of the game was also distinctly 90s. Often made of chunky plastic in vibrant hues, it felt sturdy and durable – perfect for the sometimes-rough handling it would endure during intense gameplay. The four iconic colored buttons are instantly recognizable to anyone who spent time with one of these gadgets.
Looking back, Simon Says embodies a certain simplicity that feels almost quaint compared to the complex video games of today. There were no complicated storylines, no intricate graphics, just a straightforward test of memory and pattern recognition. Yet, it provided hours of entertainment and a sense of accomplishment when you finally managed to nail that particularly long and tricky sequence.
So, if you were a kid (or even a cool teenager) in the 90s, chances are you spent some quality time with Simon Says. The flashing lights, the beeping sounds, the thrill of the challenge – it’s a nostalgic memory that brings a smile to our faces. Did you have a Simon Says game? What was your highest score? Let us know in the comments below – maybe we can even start an unofficial 90s Simon Says high score competition!
