Concentration Match

Concentration Match is a video game in the puzzle genre developed by RCA Corporation and published by Academy originally released in 1978. It is currently playable on RCA Studio II.

Concentration Match for the RCA Studio II places players in a simple memory-challenge setting: a field of concealed “cards” laid out on the screen. At the start of a round, all cards appear identical, then the player selects a position to reveal one card at a time. The objective is straightforward—find pairs of matching symbols—while the pattern of uncovered cards remains visible long enough for quick recognition. The game emphasizes concentration and recall, rewarding steady play rather than rapid reactions.

Control is centered on a move-and-select procedure. A cursor highlights one card position at a time, and a selection command flips that card to display its symbol. The player then chooses a second card. If the two symbols match, the pair remains revealed and becomes part of the cleared set. If the symbols differ, both cards are returned to the concealed state, and the player must continue searching from what can be remembered of prior reveals. Rounds progress through additional sets as the number of matches required increases.

The mechanics are built around counting decisions and maintaining mental tracking. Each attempt reveals information that can be used later, so players often adopt a methodical scan to reduce the chance of unnecessary mismatches. Many versions of this type of game track moves implicitly through scoring, increasing the final score based on efficient completion. As the round continues, the unseen positions effectively narrow, encouraging players to commit confidently when a likely pair is identified.

Visually, the game uses the Studio II’s clean monochrome style, with the concealed cards represented by uniform blocks or bordered tiles. Revealed cards stand out through a brighter symbol mark or contrasting pattern, while cleared pairs remain visible to show progress. The screen layout stays stable throughout play, creating a clear grid that supports fast scanning. Cursor movement is sharp and immediate, keeping attention focused on the next selection.

Audio in Concentration Match consists of simple system tones played through the TV speaker. Each selection produces a short confirmation sound, while correct matches trigger a distinct positive tone sequence. Incorrect matches typically result in a brief, lower or harsher signal to indicate that the revealed cards do not belong together. The sound profile stays brief and functional, allowing players to concentrate on visual memory and timing while the game continues until all pairs for the current level are found.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.