Card Game Arcade
Introduction and How to Play
Card Game Arcade is a collection of kid-friendly card games designed for children and families. Play familiar classics, practice strategy and memory skills, or try one of the original games created especially for this collection.
Welcome to Card Game Arcade
Card Game Arcade brings several different card games together in one easy-to-use collection.
Most games allow one human player to compete against one to four computer-controlled players.
Some games focus on matching and memory. Others use number skills, planning, quick reactions, or simple strategy.
Using the Game Dashboard
The main Card Game Arcade screen displays all of the available games.
Find a Game
Use the Find a Game box to search for a game by name.
Computer Opponents
Choose how many computer players you want to compete against. Depending on the game, you can play against one, two, three, or four computer opponents.
AI Difficulty
Choose the difficulty level before starting a game.
Sound
Sound can be turned on or off from the dashboard or while playing a game.
While You Are Playing
Each game has a game table where you can see the cards, computer players, score information, and game instructions.
Your Turn
A message near the top of the game table tells you what to do when it is your turn.
Depending on the game, you may select a card, draw a card, choose another player, make a prediction, or choose another action.
Computer Turns
Computer players automatically take their turns. Their decisions may change depending on the selected difficulty level.
Tutorial
Use the Tutorial option to review a short step-by-step explanation of the current game.
Rules
The Rules section gives a quick written explanation of the current game’s main rules and winning condition.
New Game
Starting a new game resets the current match while keeping your selected game and general arcade settings.
Collected Pairs and Sets
Games that involve collecting matching cards include a collection area so you can see what each player has already earned.
Old Maid
Matching picture cards are added to the Collected Pairs area. When you draw a card from another player, the card is shown briefly before the next turn begins.
Memory Match
Every matching pair you find remains visible in your collection. Computer players’ matching pairs are shown too.
Go Fish
Four cards of the same rank make a book. Completed books are shown for each player during the game.
Games in the Arcade
Prism Portals
Match illustrated cards to changing portals by color or picture. Matching both features earns a bonus.
Go Fish
Ask other players for matching ranks and collect complete books of four cards.
Old Maid
Make matching pairs while trying not to finish the game holding the unmatched Old Maid card.
Higher or Lower
Predict whether the next playing card will have a higher or lower rank.
Crazy Eights
Match cards by suit or rank. Eights are wild and can change the suit.
War
Players reveal cards at the same time. The highest ranked card wins the battle.
Snap
Watch the revealed cards and react quickly when matching ranks appear.
Memory Match
Turn over picture cards, remember their locations, and collect matching pairs.
Slapjack
Watch the shared card pile and react quickly whenever a Jack appears.
Critter Caravan
Trade animal cards with the market and build a caravan containing land, sky, and water animals.
Treasure Trail
Use movement cards to travel along the trail, collect treasure, and avoid spaces that slow you down.
Star Sum
Combine one or two number cards to make an exact target number and earn stars.
Original Games
Card Game Arcade includes several games created specifically for this collection.
- Prism Portals
- Critter Caravan
- Treasure Trail
- Star Sum
These games use their own rules and are designed to provide additional variety alongside traditional card games.
Skills Children Can Practice
Different games can help children practice different skills.
- Matching
- Visual memory
- Number recognition
- Basic addition
- Planning ahead
- Decision making
- Turn taking
- Attention and concentration
- Quick visual recognition
- Simple strategy
Winning and Rewards
Each game has its own winning condition.
You may need to collect the most pairs, empty your hand, earn the most points, reach a finish space, collect stars, or complete another game-specific goal.
Wins and arcade stars can be saved on the device so children can see their progress when they return.
Helpful Tips
- Try Easy difficulty when learning a new game.
- Use the Tutorial whenever you need a reminder of how a game works.
- Read the message at the top of the game table when you are unsure what to do next.
- Look at collected pairs, books, scores, and cards before making your next move.
- Move to Normal or Hard difficulty when the game becomes too easy.
- Try several different games. Each one practices different skills.
For Parents and Teachers
Card Game Arcade is designed for independent or guided children’s play.
Computer opponents allow a child to practice card games even when another player is not available.
Adults can adjust the number of computer opponents and AI difficulty to make a game easier or more challenging.
The collection does not require children to communicate with other online players.
