Launched in 1978,(just in time to be one of your favorite childhood toys) memory-game Simon has gone through plenty of updates over the decades.
The most recent update of the popularized version of Simon Says is called Simon Air, which uses touch-free technology to let you select colors by hovering your hand instead of physically pressing buttons, says Mashable.com.
This is an even more high-tech version of the last update to the game; created in 2014, Simon Swipe used touchscreen technology to require users to “swipe the lights” in the correct order to be considered champion of the 16-level game.
In honor of the latest update to Simon, here are some fun facts about the popular 80s game that you might not have known:
- Simon creator Ralph H. Baer is referred to as “The Father of the Video Game” because he invented the first home video game console. In other words, Simon was just one of his many important contributions to the electronic game industry.
- The Guinness Book of World Records holder of the most sequences completed in Simon is Joe Berger. He completed 14 sequences on Nov. 17, 2003.
- Simon is ranked by List Challenges as the #42 most popular toy of the 80s, right up with there with similar classics like Mr. Potato Head and Lite Bright.
- If you want to play the classic Simon game in all of its 80s glory, there’s a site for that. FreeSimon.org lets you play the original, simple version of the game for no charge at all. Beware: it’s addicting.
- But if you really, really want an original version of Simon to play with, a vintage version of the game (box & instructions included) is yours on eBay for just $35.00. Play on.