Playing memory-based games is the best option if you’re looking for a fun way to improve your memory and cognitive functions. Memory-based games refer to games that require spontaneously engaging your memory faculty throughout the game. Different games like Gin Rummy, Spades, Draw 4, Sudoku, Crosswords, and board games like Ludo demand access to various types of memory, such as short-term memory, long-term memory, and working memory.
Playing memory games is also known to slow down cognitive aging. They can improve your ability to recall information for problem-solving, planning, and organization. They increase attention spans. People of all age groups can benefit from choosing the best games. So what are the best of them that are available online? Let’s look at the best memory games for adults online to play for free or to win real cash prizes.
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Best Memory Games For Adults Online
Memory Game | Where to Play |
Gin Rummy | On MPL app (Android and iOS) |
Spades | On MPL app (Android and iOS) |
Draw 4 | On MPL app (Android and iOS) |
3 Card Flush | On MPL app (Android and iOS) |
Solitaire | Online Websites and Mobile Apps ( e.g. Microsoft Solitaire) |
Sudoku | Online Websites and Mobile Apps |
Crossword Puzzles | Anywhere on the Websites or mobile applications. |
Lumosity | Lumosity App (Android and iOS) |
Chess | Anywhere on the Websites or mobile applications. |
Matching Games | Websites and Mobile Applications |
Peak | Peak Mobile App (Android and iOS) |
Happy Neuron | Online Website |
Mahjong | USA Today Games, Free Mahjong, Mahjong Club App |
NeuroNation | NeuroNation App (Android and iOS) |
Brainwell | Brain App (Android and iOS) |
Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy on MPL is one of the best memory games for adults due to its blend of strategy, skill, and memory. It is not just about arranging cards to win; players have to draw and discard the right card at the right moment, with keen observation and memory of their previous steps and plans. Winning in Gin rummy heavily relies on a player’s ability to remember which cards have been picked up and discarded. Moreover, players must keep track of the information to anticipate the opponent’s strategies and avoid discarding the cards that might benefit the opponents.
The best part is you can play for both free and cash prizes. When you play Gin Rummy on MPL for money, you can win up to $50,000/day. Overall, Gin Rummy on MPL is an exceptional choice of memory games for adults online.
Features of Gin Rummy on MPL
- Multiplayer Game: Play Gin Rummy against real opponents from around the world.
- Cash Prizes: Compete in tournaments and cash games to win up to $50,000/day.
- Multiple Game Modes: Choose from variants like Oklahoma Gin, Knock Gin, and Classic Gin Rummy.
- Skill-Based Matchmaking: Get paired with players of similar skill levels for fair competition.
- Tutorials: Learn the rules and improve your strategy with built-in guidance for new players.
Spades
Among the card games on MPL, Spades offers entertaining memory games for adults online for money. Not just as a fun game, Spades is an excellent opportunity to hone your memory and cognitive function. The whole gameplay of bidding, trick-taking, and strategizing demands constant mental engagement and recall. Playing Spades is more a skill of tracking cards, which sets the stage for the right strategy. If you’re a skillful player, you can win up to $50,000/day on MPL Spades in cash prizes and rewards.
Players must remember the cards they played as well as predict the moves of opponents and team members. They must track who played which card and in what order so they can anticipate the remaining cards in the game. At every step of the game, Spades is a brain gym.
Features of Spades on MPL
- Play Spades with other players in live online matches.
- Participate in Spades tournaments to win cash prizes.
- Compete for rankings on global and regional leaderboards.
- Hone your skills in free games before entering paid competitions.
Also Read: 7 Best Trick-Taking Card Games Like Spades
Draw 4
Draw 4 is a UNO-like game on MPL that you can play with real players online. Without a responsive and multi-layered memory, playing Draw 4 can be challenging, especially Draw 4 on MPL. For example, players must remember the positions of face-down cards while strategizing their moves, which demands a swift short-term memory and working memory.
The cards are drawn and discarded quickly, and players must be able to change their mental map of the board accordingly with strong mental agility. The many benefits of the game make it one of the best memory games for adults online.
MPL offers multiple free and cash games to play Draw 4 and win real money. With easy-to-withdraw options, look no further than MPL to play UNO if you’re an ace player.
Features of Draw 4 on MPL
- Quick Matches: Enjoy fast-paced games designed for mobile play.
- Online Multiplayer: Play Draw 4 against real opponents in real-time matches.
- Power-Ups: Use special cards or abilities to gain advantages during gameplay.
- Win Cash: Compete for real money prizes in various game formats.
- Customizable Avatars: Personalize your in-game profile with unique avatars.
3 Card Flush
3 Card Flush on MPL involves memory functionality for success. It requires players to remember their three-card hand while tracking community cards and opponents’ likely holdings. This engages short-term memory and working memory to a degree. Players exercise associative memory skills to memorize betting patterns and relate them to hand strengths.
You might also be looking to earn money while doing these mental exercises. You can play 3 Card Flush on MPL and win real cash rewards. Though the game also requires strategy, it is one of the top memory games for adults online.
Features of 3 Card Flush on MPL
- Suitability: Players of all skill levels can play the game.
- Win Cash: Not just learn playing 3 card flush on MPL, but win cash as you grow.
- Socializing: Connect and compete with strangers and make friends.
- Additional Perks: Get bonuses, promotions,
Solitaire
Solitaire is a traditional memory game for adults that engages multiple cognitive functions. The primary component is working memory, as players track card positions and anticipate moves. Visual-spatial memory is involved in arranging card stacks and sequences. Solitaire also improves strategic thinking and planning, as players have to remember previous moves and predict future ones.
You can also choose from different versions of the game based on the difficulty level. Its accessibility and quick-play format encourage frequent engagement, promoting regular memory exercise. It is easily one of the best memory games for adults. By playing regularly, you can maintain mental agility and processing speed.
Features of Solitaire
- Multiple Solitaire variants are available, such as Klondike, Spider, etc.
- Most online Solitaire games have timed challenges for competitive play.
- Achievement systems to track progress over time.
Also Read: Best Free Solitaire Apps To Win Real Money
Sudoku
The well-known number placement game is among the best memory games for adults, especially for math enthusiasts. Whether on paper or a mobile phone, most people seeking to play with their memory pick it up almost instinctively. Many apps allow setting the difficulty level of the game, letting you choose how much you want to exercise your faculties.
When it comes to playing the game, Sudoku is the best-known game for improving short-term memory and concentration, along with enjoyment and math skills.
Today, it is available in many online apps to help people with mental fitness on the go. Moreover, it can be played by people of all ages, including children above 12. You can even plan a competitive session among your friends to see who finishes first.
Features of Sudoku
- Availability of tiered difficulty levels.
- Hint system in online Sudoku games for assistance.
- Simple and daily puzzles for regular play.
- Timer to track solving speed.
- Error checking option in online gaming consoles.
Crossword puzzles
Crosswords is a classic puzzle game that is not just a memory game but a fun game loved by all age groups. It requires knowledge of verbal language and access to memory from many areas of the brain. Solving crossword puzzles improves working memory as players keep potential answers in mind while tracking the intersecting words.
Continuous exposure to new information feeds long-term memory and knowledge, while the puzzle’s structure works on spatial memory. It is also used to slow age-related cognitive decline in people with mental health issues.
Features of Crossword Puzzles
- Variety: Themed puzzles with varied topics demand knowledge from multiple areas.
- Scalable Difficulty: Clue difficulty ranging from straightforward to cryptic.
- Complex: Interconnected words for multi-dimensional solving.
Lumosity
If you’re looking for a ton of memory games for adults online, the Lumosity app is there for you. It is one of the well-known brain training and mental fitness programs. It is available as an app for both Android and iOS users. While the app offers free memory games for adults, which are three games per day, you can also take a subscription to access more of their games. The app helps you track your results and improvements to have a positive impact on your confidence and abilities.
Features of Lumosity
- Segmentation: Choose games based on memory, speed, problem-solving, logic, language, math, and more.
- Diversity: More than 40 games to train cognitive functions.
- Scientific: Games developed in association with research from leading universities.
- Personalization: Get suggestions for games and challenges suitable for you.
Chess
Chess is one of the best games to rely on for improving memory and brain exercise. Those who can play chess well are considered to have above-normal intelligence. Knowing the rules is only the tip of the iceberg in Chess. Players must remember complex opening sequences, middlegame strategies, and endgame techniques to ace the game.
Chess is linked to long-term memory and pattern recognition. As the players constantly update the board state, they exercise their working memory in many ways. One of the critical skills in Chess is anticipating the opponent’s movements. Chess is a beautiful and organic choice to make your mind sharp. It also helps develop your personality with a strong IQ.
Features of Chess
- Strategic gameplay with diverse piece movement.
- Deep tactical complexity and long-term planning.
- Ranking systems to measure player skill levels.
Also Read: Types of Chess Variants and How to Play Them
Matching Games
Matching games have been popular among adults and children for decades. They require direct access to the core memory process, making them a good companion to free memory games for adults. Whether it is matching words or pictures, the basic mechanic of remembering the locations of hidden items exercises short-term memory, a crucial component of cognitive function.
Sometimes, they have to group similar pictures in their mental maps, which requires instant organization and retrieval of information. Some free matching games present repetitiveness, strengthening long-term memory. Memoria: Memorama & Match Pair is the best app for playing games involving matching pairs, with in-app purchases. Memoria also has an app for trivia quizzes.
If you want to play more memory games for adults online, Memorymatching and Memozor are great options. They provide challenging games for adults, with increasing difficulty levels.
Features of Matching Games
- Pattern recognition and memory challenges.
- Timed gameplay for increased difficulty.
- Progressive levels with increasing complexity.
Peak
Peak is a popular platform to play memory games for mental fitness. It provides both online games to play on the web and an app version for mobile devices. It is available for both iOS and Android users for download from respective app stores. The Peak app recommends a daily routine with their app if your focus is playing memory games.
The app has 45+ collections of brain games made in partnership with academics from universities like Cambridge and NYU. Not just playing, the app lets you see how you perform against others and track improvement in your intelligence.
Features of Peak Gaming App
- Scientific research-backed memory games for adults of all ages.
- Facility to track progress on training mental muscles.
- Play games under the guidance of a coach.
Happy Neuron
Happy Neuron is a website where adults can play memory games online. It aims to help people work on their memory and brain training by dividing its collection of games into different categories, like memory, attention, language, visual/spatial memory, and working memory. Kids can also play them. The games are specially designed to train short-term memory, long-term memory, and working memory.
Some of their games are An American in Paris, Bird Songs, Displaced Characters, Shapes and Colors, and Tower of Babel. Most of the games are designed based on scientific research. The app personalizes brain training for every individual, allowing them to track progress. You need a paid subscription to play on Happy Neuron, though you can test it through their free trial option.
Features of Happy Neuron Games
- Follows a step-by-step approach to brain training for adults.
- Supervised sessions with AI coaching and progress tracking.
- Personalized brain training tailored to individual cognitive profiles.
Mahjong
Mahjong is an excellent memory game for adults due to its complex nature and multifaceted cognitive demands. The first step is to use visual and spatial memory to remember the positions and identities of numerous tiles. As the game progresses, players have to update their mental information as tiles are drawn and discarded, which is part of working memory.
Players must recall not only the positions but also identify winning combinations, training their pattern-recognition ability. Every win adds to confidence, while there is strategic thinking to remember opponents’ discards and potential hands. Regular play can stimulate concentration, decision-making skills, and overall cognitive flexibility. Many apps, like Mahjong Titan and Mahjong Solitaire, allow you to play the game.
Features of Mahjong
- Tile-matching gameplay requires strategy and pattern recognition.
- Multiple variants with diverse rulesets and scoring systems.
- Cultural significance blends tradition with modern interpretations.
NeuroNation
NeuroNation stands out as an example of a memory training app for adults due to its scientific approach. Over 23 million users worldwide have benefitted from its diverse range of 34 exercises across 300 levels, ensuring the best memory games for adults. Studies, including research from Freie Universität Berlin, back games on the NeuroNation app.
Each player can get a tailored training plan based on their strengths and needs. The games are categorized to target specific cognitive areas like memory, concentration, and processing speed. Players can track their improvements in measurable metrics. The app’s social features, regular updates, and motivational elements are additional perks.
Features of NeuroNation
- Over 30 scientifically-developed brain training exercises.
- Collaboration with universities and federal research projects.
- Multi-platform availability for desktop and mobile devices.
Brainwell
Brainwell is a challenging brain training app for iOS and Android devices. Users can choose from over 50 scientifically designed brain games to stimulate memory and problem-solving skills. Adults who struggle to memorize names and birthdays or stay focused will benefit from their memory games.
The app provides personalized training challenges suitable for all ages. Users can track their scores and test progress and improve mental health in tangible steps. Brainwell’s comprehensive approach makes it one of the best apps for playing free memory games for adults and boosting cognitive abilities.
Features of Brainwell
- Customized Training: Take a short test for a personalized program.
- Daily Games: Play 53+ games on iOS and Android in just ten minutes a day.
- Track Progress: Compare your scores with others in your age group.
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Conclusion
Incorporating memory games into daily routines offers significant improvement in cognitive health and mental agility. Games like Gin Rummy, Spades, Draw 4, and Sudoku engage various memory types. Online platforms such as Lumosity, Peak, and Brainwell provide structured brain training programs backed by scientific research.
By regularly playing these free memory games for adults, you can enjoy an overall boost in mental functions. Whether played individually or socially, they are practical ways to maintain cognitive health and enjoyment.
FAQs
What are some free memory games for adults to play without downloading?
On MPL, you can play free memory games such as Spades, Gin Rummy, Draw 4, and 3 Card Flush. Many websites offer Sudoku, crossword puzzles, Mahjong, and related board games, which are also among the best memory games for adults.
What are some picture memory games for adults to play?
Memorymatching website provides the best online picture memory games for people of all age groups. You can choose from over 15 categories of pictures like flags, food and drinks, shapes, animals, numbers, letters, sports, and much more. Memoria is another app for Android and iOS users to play picture memory games.
What are the best free memory games for adults where I can earn cash?
MPL app provides the best memory games for earning cash. You can play Gin rummy, Spades, Draw 4, and 3 Card Flush, which are the best memory games. You can also play board games like Ludo Dice and Snakes & Ladders, which also have the best cognitive function in both free and cash games.
How to decide on the best free memory games for seniors?
When deciding the best memory games for adults, keep in mind the following:
- Consider cognitive abilities and interests.
- Look for games with adjustable difficulty levels.
- Ensure user-friendly interfaces.
- Choose games that target multiple cognitive skills while having fun.
- Check for scientific backing.
- Consider social aspects also, if necessary.
What is a memory game for adults to play in person?
Memory games for adults to play in person include Concentration, Sudoku, and word searches. These games improve focus, recall, and cognitive skills. They are enjoyable and effective ways to improve your memory and mental sharpness.
What is the memory icebreaker game?
A memory icebreaker is a type of memory game in which participants share facts about themselves, such as names, hobbies, or experiences. Later in the session, others must remember and recall these facts.