What Is the Best Memory Game for Adults?

The best memory games for adults develop critical thinking, vocabulary, and strategy skills. Sudoku, Chess, and Puzzles are considered the most effective memory games for adults.  

Playing memory games is one of the best strategies for adults to build a strong mind. Memory games enhance brain function, helping adults develop stronger attention, concentration, and focus. 

They also sharpen an adult’s critical thinking, attention to detail, and visual recognition. 

Choosing the best memory game for adults can be tricky since each game has different features. For example, some memory games are specifically designed for adults who have Alzheimer’s. In contrast, other games may feature modules intended for the general adult audience. 

Read the review of these games below to know how to take advantage of their features. 

Let’s get to it.

Benefits of memory games for adults

All aspects of the body, including the brain, change as a person gets older. An aging brain thinks less effectively because communication between neurons in the brain grows weak. 

We also become less physically active as we grow older. Playing memory games is one healthy habit we should include into our routine to avoid cognitive decline and challenge our brain at any age. 

Here are some benefits of memory games for adults:

Improve brain function

As we age, areas of the brain that control learning and complex mental activities become less effective. 

Playing memory games will revitalize brain function in adults. Memory games like Sudoku and Chess effectively perform this function because they require high concentration and critical thinking. Research has shown that the more people aged 50 and above play games like Sudoku, the better their brains function. 

Help manage memory-related illnesses

Everyone experiences memory loss as we age. Can we stop it? No. It is a natural change. However, we can slow it down with activities that exercise the brain. 

Memory loss can reach a critical level in middle or old-age adults when they fail to recall even the most recent event. Different forms of Alzheimer’s disease can cause this condition. 

Fortunately, engaging in regular brain training activities like puzzles can delay the development of memory-related illnesses. 

Also, logic-based activities can help reduce the impact of health issues that develop due to brain inactivity. 

Improve visual recognition

Memory games usually feature visual pattern recognition activities. These visual stimuli enhance both sides of the brain, increasing logical thinking ability and retentive memory. 

There are games that train the player to concentrate on visual patterns, recognize them, store them in the memory, and attempt to recollect the exact pattern in split seconds. 

Expand one’s vocabulary and improve information retention

Word-based memory games like Jigsaw Puzzles and Sudoku help players learn new words. This is because our brain shows new words to us in a pictorial form and activates a neuron that quickly prompts completing the word the next time we see it.

Examples of memory games for adults

Here are some of the best and most commonly known memory games for adults:

Sudoku 

Sudoku is very good for memory as people need to combine logical decisions and memorization to solve numerical problems. 

Although adults play Sudoku for fun, the game is excellent for memory recall, and completing the game gives them a feeling of fulfillment. 

Logic, numeracy, and memorization make Sudoku a game of strategic thinking that helps adults improve concentration and make split-second decisions. 

It is available on digital platforms for free. 

Lumosity

Lumosity is a highly-rated brain-training application for adults who want to maximize memory, master information processing, and selective attention. 

The unique feature of Lumosity is that its memory games are built off the back of real cognitive psychological techniques like the Erisksen flanker test and Corsi bloc-tapping test. 

On top of that, experts vet the game content to ensure that the creators follow best practices that help older people improve their brain function. 

Tidal Treasure is an example of challenging adult memory games on Lumosity. In Tidal Treasure, the user selects an item or group of items from the tide pool. Then the screen shuffles in scattered positions. To pass the test, elders must identify and tap the exact items they selected initially. 

As they go on, acing and failing the tests, Lumosity learns how an adult’s retention skills, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills have improved over time. With that data, the game adjusts its difficulty to fit the user to keep them motivated. 

Crossword puzzles

The nature of crosswords makes it an excellent memory-muscle game for adults. One reason for that is that crosswords stimulate interest. For example, adults interested in politics and language can solve themed puzzles to enhance curiosity and deep thinking about a subject. 

Crosswords help adults learn new facts and interesting information about the world, expand their vocabulary through dictionary search, and stimulate social relationships in adults who share challenging puzzles with friends and family, which is great for cognitive development. 

The local newspaper hosts daily crossword challenges, so it is not hard to find. Otherwise, you can either buy a crossword book or check in one of the digital versions, such as the one found on the New York Times website.

Chess and Checkers 

Checkers and Chess require logic and strategy. Players must also master color and shape recognition skills to win. These visual stimuli enhance both sides of the brain, increasing logical thinking ability and retentive memory. 

The New England Journal of Medicine researchers found that adults over 70 are less likely to develop dementia when they engage in mentally tasking activities like playing chess and checkers. These board games encourage the brain to learn complex, responsive patterns for strategic movements that lead to victory and, in turn, memory growth.

Similarly, chess and checkers benefit adults’ memory because calculating moves in these games stimulates creativity and problem-solving skills. Over time, adults will have mastered text-book moves and outwitting their opponent with advanced strategies. 

Board games: Monopoly, Scrabble, etc. 

Board games like scrabble and monopoly help adults develop strategy and language skills. During Scrabble, the brain focuses primarily on memory and visual processing. Due to its demand for high concentration, Scrabble promotes brain plasticity and cell activity, preventing memory degeneration among the elderly. 

The beauty of Scrabble is that players always walk away with new additions to their vocabulary bank. Scrabble also helps the elderly sharpen their memory as they learn new words. 

Like Scrabble, Monopoly is also a great memory and brain training app for the elderly. However, unlike other games that last around 10 minutes, Monopoly can go on for hours. 

Therefore it is a very brainy game. Adults playing Monopoly must memorize the rules and keep an eye on their opponent’s strategy to perform well. This is not an easy thing to do. It requires a high level of concentration, strategy, and critical thinking, making Monopoly a perfect game for the elderly to improve their memory. 

Our best pick for memory games

Among the many highly-effective memory games for adults, the CrossWord puzzle is our best pick. 

Researchers have proven that crossword word puzzles improve brain function among adults in many ways. A study at the University of Exeter shows that older adults who regularly did word and number puzzles had increased mental acuity. 

Similarly, a 2011 experiment also found that a regular regimen of crosswords might delay the onset of cognitive decline. 

Besides that, here are the functions of crossword puzzles that improve brain functions in adults: 

• Reduce stress levels. It has been shown that the brain releases dopamine after every success in a crossword puzzle. Thus, crossword puzzles reduce stress levels and improve adults’ mental focus. 
• Reduce anxiety. Anxiety is one of the causes of forgetfulness, confusion, and lack of concentration in adults. Puzzles help anxious people maintain mental balance, reducing their concentration and blood flow. 
• Stimulate interest in knowledge. The nature of crosswords makes it an excellent memory-building game for adults because it stimulates interest. 
• Broaden one’s vocabulary bank. Learning new words by solving crossword puzzles actually helps our brain to create more ways of retaining information. Each new word we learn gets placed into our long-term memory.
• Hone problem-solving skills. When doing crossword puzzles, you tend to delve deeper into the issue at hand. Solving crossword puzzles consistently stimulates brain activities and normalizes approaching life issues with a problem-solving perspective. 

Adults should make solving crosswords a part of their daily routine for maximum productivity. Seniors who stay at home all the time can solve crosswords over their morning coffee. For those that commute, solving crosswords in the waiting room or on the subway is the best way to keep their puzzle-cracking streak and develop a stronger mind.

Final thoughts

Whether you practice alone or with a friend or family, these brainy games will help you master critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, strategy, and vocabulary development. 

These skills are essential to building a solid memory throughout old age. However, like bodybuilding, you need to develop habits and be consistent with these games to see actual results.  

The benefits of memory games contribute to an adult’s ability to memorize faster while playing relaxing games.  

For maximum effect, adults who seriously want to improve their memory can focus on productivity strategies. Our productivity course has everything you need to create a brain training routine that works. Try out a few of these games today!