First published in today's form by Ravensburger in February 1959.
There are versions knows from Japan in the 16th century - matching pictures painted on shells. Known as Awase or Kai-awase.
In USA and England known as Pairs, Pelmanism, or Concentration. But these are played with simple playing cards.
In Switzerland was a domino-like game named Zwillingsspiel with the same roots.
There are hundreds of different Memory games - starting with 24 cards for the youngest, with all kinds of animals, art, about countries, also a gay and a breast Memory, several free giveaway Memory games published by companies.
The most famous publisher is Ravensburger - they have the rights for the brand name Memory - and they have really nice ones.
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In the Fantastic 4 Make a Match Game there is a painted "Thing" figure included. Some of the cards allow you to also take the figure, so that it switches ownership during the game. The last player with the figure at the end of the game gets bonus points towards his or her score.
