How to create a react memory game | Code Boost
Description: Memory games are a fantastic way to practice your React skills while building something fun! In this tutorial, we'll guide you through creating your own memory game from scratch us...

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# How to create a react memory game

By Matt · Mar 21, 2024

Memory games are a fantastic way to practice your React skills while building something fun! In this tutorial, we'll guide you through creating your own memory game from scratch using React.

Prerequisites

- Familiarity with basic React concepts (components, props, state, JSX).
- Some CSS knowledge for styling (we'll provide basic examples).

Project Setup

1. Create a new React project:

   Bash

       npx create-react-app memory-game

2. Structure your project:

       src/
         components/
           Card.js
           GameBoard.js
         App.js
         styles.css

Building the Game

Click here for my favorite React reference book

1. Data and Card Component

- Card Data Structure (in `Card.js`)

  JavaScript

      const Card = ({ id, image, isFlipped, isMatched, handleClick }) => {
        return (
          <div
            className={`card ${isFlipped ? 'flipped' : ''} ${isMatched ? 'matched' : ''}`}
            onClick={() => handleClick(id)}
          >
            <div className="front">{/* Placeholder for a question mark or back image */}</div>
            <div className="back">
              <img src={image} alt="Card Content" />
            </div>
          </div>
        );
      };

      export default Card;

- Explanation:

  - Each card has `id`, `image`, and flags for `isFlipped` and `isMatched`.
  - We use CSS classes for styling the different states of the card.

2. Game Board and Rendering

JavaScript

    // In GameBoard.js
    import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
    import Card from './Card';
    import shuffle from 'lodash.shuffle'; // Or your own shuffle function

    const GameBoard = () => {
      const [cards, setCards] = useState(shuffleCards()); // We'll define shuffleCards later
      const [flippedCards, setFlippedCards] = useState([]);
      const [matchedCards, setMatchedCards] = useState([]);

      // ... Code for handleClick, checking matches (from previous examples)

      // Function to generate and shuffle card data
      const shuffleCards = () => {
        // ... Add your logic to create card objects with images
      }

      return (
        <div className="game-board">
          {cards.map((card) => (
            <Card
              key={card.id}
              {...card}
              handleClick={handleClick}
            />
          ))}
        </div>
      );
    };

    export default GameBoard;

3. Core Game Logic (Explained in Previous Examples)

- `handleClick` (prevents invalid clicks, adds card ID to `flippedCards`)
- `useEffect` (checks for matches, updates `matchedCards`, resets `flippedCards`)

4. Styling (styles.css):

CSS

    .game-board {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); /* Adjust for grid size */
    }

    .card {
      /* Add styles for the card container */
    }

    .flipped {
      /* Styles for when the card is flipped */
    }

    .matched {
      /* Styles to indicate matched cards */
    }

5. Win Condition, Restart, Additional Features (Choose one or two)

Deployment (Briefly mention options)

Conclusion

Congratulations on building your memory game! Try customizing its looks, adding difficulty levels, timers, or other fun features!