Halloween Memory Game: how to play

Halloween Memory is a free Halloween memory game online, hosted by Boo, a friendly lilac ghost with a bow. Turn two tiles at a time and match the pairs: pumpkins, waving bats, sleepy moons, owls, cauldrons, black cats, candy corn and more. Clear each board before the clock runs out, from the Pumpkin Patch all the way to the Star Castle.

How to play

• To play the Halloween memory game online, tap a tile to turn it over, then tap a second one. A matching pair stays face up; if they don't match, both turn back after a moment.
• Keyboard: the arrow keys move the cursor and Enter or Space turns a tile.
• There are 16 Halloween pictures: pumpkin, bat, moon, owl, wrapped candy, cauldron, broom, ghost, wizard hat, candy corn, acorn, maple leaf, lantern, star, black cat and lollipop.
• Find pairs one after another for a combo (up to ×10): each pair scores 20 points × the level number × the combo. A miss resets the combo.
• Clear the board to clear the level, with a bonus for every second left. If the clock runs out, you lose one of your three hearts and get a new board.
• Three stars per level: clear it, clear it without losing a heart, and clear it under the target time.

The five levels

1. Pumpkin Patch: 6 pairs, with a short peek at every picture first
2. Candy Lane: 8 pairs and no peek: remember what you saw
3. Owl Woods: 10 pairs with look-alikes: an orange pumpkin and a green pumpkin are not a pair
4. Moon Hill: 12 pairs, and every miss costs 2 seconds
5. Star Castle: magic: every 4 misses, two hidden tiles swap places

Clear Star Castle and the five levels loop again with every clock a fifth shorter. You have three hearts for the whole run, and the game is the same for everyone each day, so you can compare scores. Press M to turn the sound off or on.

Tips

• Turn a tile you haven't seen first, then go for its partner among the ones you have.
• Sweep the board in order, row by row: places are easier to remember that way.
• In Owl Woods, say the colour to yourself as well as the picture: "green pumpkin, top left".
• In the Star Castle, watch the two tiles that flash after a swap: they've traded places.

Questions

Is the Halloween memory game free?

Yes. Halloween Memory is free online in your browser, with no download and no sign-up.

Can I play it on my phone?

Yes. Tap the tiles to turn them. On an upright phone the board turns to fill the tall screen, with Boo underneath. It works on phones, tablets and computers.

How long do I have?

60 seconds for 6 pairs in the Pumpkin Patch, 75 for 8, 95 for 10, then 120 seconds for 12 pairs. On the next lap every clock is a fifth shorter.

Is it the same board for everyone?

Yes. The boards are the same for everyone all day, so you can compare scores with friends. A new set comes at midnight.