13 Best Memory Board Games to Play in 2025
Memory challenges are the lifeblood of some truly fun board games. We picked these gems because they test your memory in creative and fun ways. Some games are designed to exercise the brain, while others mix laughter and memory in a delightful stew of gameplay. Whether you’re hunting elusive suspects, stacking animals, or cracking codes, these games promise endless entertainment. Handpicked from an evening with friends, this list showcases our favorites that stood out for their clever use of memory. Dive in for a journey through your next game night picks, engaging your memory in ways you never imagined!
On this list:
13 Ice Cool
Ice Cool is a playful memory game with flicking mechanics and a fun school theme, which makes it both engaging and quirky.
12 Cortex Challenge
Cortex Challenge tests your memory, focus, and reflexes. This one’s popular at our game nights because it mixes trivia with memory. You gotta be on your toes! Cards come with different challenges, some asking for memory recall. The tactile challenges add a unique twist—we were caught cheating by feeling cards once! It’s fast-paced, keeping everyone on their toes. The memory aspect isn’t the only part, but it’s crucial if you want to win. Definitely a must-try for those looking to challenge their brains.
11 Memoarrr!
In Memoarrr!, you channel your inner pirate to collect treasure by remembering paths. While playing, one of our friends kept mixing up the penguin and parrot, making for some hilarious moments. The game’s about remembering which cards are where, but with pirate-themed twists. The illustrations are bright and fun, enhancing memory involvement. It sounds simple, but once the pressure’s on, you’ll probably confuse your sea critters. Definitely a cheeky game to strengthen memory while having fun.
10 Punto
Punto surprised us with its simplicity and strategic depth. The game involves memory as players try to remember and block their opponent’s moves on a grid. It led to quite a few ‘aha!’ moments during our sessions. While it’s small enough to carry during trips, don’t be fooled—it’s mind-bending. The memory component keeps your brain sharp, and when played while waiting for your pizza to arrive, it’s both entertainment and mental exercise.
9 The Mind
The Mind is all about connecting with your fellow players without uttering a word. This game shines with its simplicity yet deep memory challenge. We must have failed stage four over a dozen times before we got it! Players collectively stack cards in ascending order without speaking—a memory game of who plays what and when. It’s a hilarious test of patience and collective thought. Whether you’re intuitive or lucky, it’s a joyous memory challenge you’d want to retry.
8 Mysterium
Mysterium combines haunting themes with memory. In this cooperative game, players are mediums solving a mystery through visions—cards hint at what happened. Each playthrough was a mix of spooky fun and memory trials as we pieced clues from previous rounds. The artwork is mesmerizing, which helps to remember the clues given. Solving the mystery requires remembering these visions across rounds. We loved it for its immersive storytelling and the way memory is sewn into the experience.
7 Animal Upon Animal
Animal Upon Animal is Jenga with a twist. It’s great fun for families, especially kids. Players stack wooden animals, and as the stack rises, so does the need for remembering the balance and order. We laughed uncontrollably when the crocodile sent the whole pile crashing down! While the memory element is subtle, it’s essential in strategizing how to pull the tower off. Perfect for those who like a touch of chaos with their memory games.
6 Codenames
Codenames is one for the word lovers. During our plays, we found that remembering previous clues was key to winning. Split into teams, players guess words based on clues, exercising memory to link them together. More than a memory game, it’s a social test. The satisfaction of recalling a tricky clue and nailing it is immense. For large groups wanting fun memory practice, this one’s a hit.
5 Hanabi
Hanabi turns the classic card holding concept on its head. Players see everyone’s cards except their own, relying on memory to play right. Our sessions usually end in us blaming each other for horrible memory lapses. It brings tension and laughter as you try to remember what your neighbor hinted at. The cards are colorful, and the game’s cooperative nature makes memory teamwork crucial. Hanabi’s a fitting choice for those seeking cooperative memory challenges.
4 Concentration
Concentration is the quintessential memory card game. Players match pairs by remembering their spots—sounds simple, but pressure changes everything. We played this at our last get-together, and it quickly turned competitive. The beauty lies in its simplicity, proving that effective memory challenges don’t need all the bells and whistles. It’s a timeless classic that’s great for all ages.
3 Sequence
Sequence offers a blend of strategy and memory. While the main task is creating sequences of cards, remembering what’s been played becomes vital. Our last family night turned into a Sequence marathon as everyone tried to outsmart each other. It’s straightforward but strategic enough to need a good memory. Perfect for game nights where you want both skill and luck combined.
2 Mastermind
Mastermind challenges players to decode a sequence of colored pegs. It’s a battle of wits as you must remember past guesses to crack the pattern. Our group loves the challenge, even though we often end up second-guessing ourselves. If memory and logic are your jam, this is the game to hit the spot. Fun for all ages, it’s a game that gets you thinking.
1 The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
The Crew combines memory with space exploration. We absolutely loved the cooperative aspect, which relies on remembering what cards have been played. Each mission feels different, and the memory component adds depth to each round. It’s rewarding to see the team succeed because of strong memory recall and teamwork. For those who enjoy teamwork and memory games, The Crew is a top pick.
0 Horrified
Horrified stands out as the best memory-themed game due to its blend of cooperative gameplay and classic monster mystery. Each Monster has a unique set of moves and abilities, which requires players to remember their patterns and powers. Our last game night was a nail-biting showdown with Dracula and Frankenstein. The memory aspect is more than just remembering what came before. It’s about strategizing and anticipating future moves, which adds to the thrill. Horrified’s balance of memory challenges, monster lore, and teamwork made it our top choice for this theme.
