Matchy Matchy Memory vs Magic comes down to one question: do you want your photos as they are, or re-drawn? Both are the same memory game. You flip two cards, hunt for a match and tell the story behind it. Memory prints your real photos. Magic re-draws them in 3D Film, Watercolor or Anime.
We make both, so we'll be honest about where each one shines. This guide walks through the prices, the sizes and who each one suits. There is no wrong answer here. There is only the one that fits your photos and your people.
Matchy Matchy Memory vs Magic in one minute
Here is the short version.
- Memory: Matchy Matchy Memory keeps your real photos, from $19.99. Grandpa's real grin. The real beach. The real birthday cake with the candle that would not light.
- Magic: Matchy Matchy Magic re-draws your photos in one of three styles, from $29.99. The choices are 3D Film, Watercolor and Anime. Same moments, a brand new look.
- Both: Choose 12, 24 or 48 cards. You upload from your phone. You see your first card before you pay.
If your photos already make you smile, Memory is the easy pick. If you want the deck to feel like a surprise, Magic is the fun one. Still torn? Keep reading. The details below make the choice quick.
How each one works
The steps are the same for both. Pick your photos on your phone. Choose a size. Check your first card. Pay. The only fork in the road is what happens to the pictures.
Matchy Matchy Memory: your photos, as they are
Memory prints the photos you choose. The dog in the birthday hat stays a real dog in a real hat. The beach day keeps its real sky. That is the whole appeal. Every card is a moment someone at the table actually lived. When a match turns over, someone gets to tell the story behind it.
Real photos also hold the small details. The wallpaper in the old kitchen. Dad's mustache phase. The cousin who always blinks. Those are the bits everyone points at between turns.
Matchy Matchy Magic: your photos, re-drawn
Magic re-draws your photos in the style you pick. 3D Film gives everyone a big-screen animated look. Watercolor feels soft and painted. Anime goes bold and bright. You choose one of the three for the deck. Then you see your first card before you pay, so the look on the table is no surprise. It will still surprise everyone else.
Magic turns a familiar crowd into characters. Your brother as an Anime hero is a card everyone wants to find. Grandma in Watercolor looks ready for a picture book.
What to weigh before you pick
Price
Here are the two side by side, size by size.
- 12 cards: Memory $19.99, Magic $29.99.
- 24 cards: Memory $29.99, Magic $34.99.
- 48 cards: Memory $34.99, Magic $39.99.
Find your size, read both prices, then choose on looks. The photos you already have will often make the call.
Size
Twelve cards suit little kids and quick rounds. Twenty-four cards fit most family tables. Forty-eight cards make a proper game night with the grown-ups. Size works the same way in both games.
Your photos
Scroll through the photos you plan to use. If they are sharp, bright and full of faces, Memory shows them off. If you have a mix of old scans, phone snaps and group shots, Magic puts every card in the same style. The deck then looks like one set.
Either way, the photos already on your phone are a fine place to start.
Who each one suits
Pick Memory for
- Grandparents. Real faces and real places, with every card a chance to tell the story behind it.
- Little kids. A toddler who knows Grandma's face gets to hunt for the real Grandma.
- Keepsake people. If the cards will live in a drawer next to old letters, real photos fit right in.
Pick Magic for
- Couples. The two of you as Anime characters at your own wedding makes a very good card.
- Teens and grown-up kids. The whole family as 3D Film characters will probably get a laugh before the first turn.
- Game night with friends. Everyone gets to see themselves re-drawn, and the reveal is half the fun.
You could also make one of each. A Memory deck for Grandma, a Magic deck for the cousins. Nobody has to share.
If the deck is for one person, think about how they keep photos. Albums on the shelf point to Memory. A phone full of silly filters points to Magic.
Tips for picking photos for either game
Good photos make a good game, whichever one you choose. A few habits help.
- Faces first. Close-ups read best at card size. A face that fills the frame beats a tiny figure on a mountain.
- One moment per card. Each photo becomes a matching pair, so skip near-duplicates. Ten shots of the same cake make a confusing round.
- Mix the cast. Put the dog in. Put the neighbor in. A game where everyone shows up keeps everyone at the table.
- Match the photo to the style. For Magic, Watercolor suits babies, gardens and soft light. Anime loves big expressions. 3D Film is great for group shots and silly faces.
- Look at your first card. You see your first card before you pay. Take the extra minute and check it.
Ready to make your own?
Here is the simple path. Pick your photos on your phone. Choose real or re-drawn. Choose 12, 24 or 48 cards. Check your first card before you pay.
Want your photos just as they are? Make a Matchy Matchy Memory game, from $19.99. Want them re-drawn in 3D Film, Watercolor or Anime? Make a Matchy Matchy Magic game, from $29.99.
Shipping is $5, and free when you order 2 or more decks. US only, ships in 3 to 5 business days. If it is a gift, order early.
Still stuck between the two? Write to hello@matchygame.com with your question.