Looking for a Digital Version of Chronology?
The Chronology card game by Buffalo Games has no official app. Sorting History uses the same chronological sorting mechanic with 12 categories, 1,200+ events, a Daily Challenge, and WiFi multiplayer on iOS. Here's how it compares to the tabletop classic.
Sorting History
Chronology Board Game
What Is the Chronology Game?
Chronology is a card game originally designed by GMT Games and later published by Buffalo Games. Players guess where historical events fall on a growing timeline. One player reads an event, and the other players decide whether it happened before or after events already on the table. Get it right and your timeline grows. Get it wrong and you miss your turn.
Each box contains about 150 cards covering a mix of historical events across different eras and topics. Multiple editions exist, each priced around $10-15. It's a beloved game — simple to learn, endlessly educational, and great for groups.
We built Sorting History because we love this mechanic and wanted to take it further than a physical card game can go.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Chronology (Card Game) | Sorting History |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Physical cards | iOS app |
| Events per set | ~150 per box | 100+ researched events per category |
| Total content | ~150 per box (buy more for more) | 1,200+ events across 12 categories |
| New content | Buy new boxes ($10-15 each) | Monthly updates planned (free) |
| Categories | Mixed history per box | 12 specialized categories at launch |
| Multiplayer | 2-8 players, same room | Pass & Play + WiFi Network Play + Solo |
| Solo play | Not designed for solo | Full solo mode with ranks |
| Daily Challenge | N/A | A new challenge every day |
| Difficulty options | None (fixed rules) | Friendly / Competitive / Expert |
| Price | $10-15 per box | Free tier available, paid tiers for more |
| Portability | Carry a box of cards | Always in your pocket |
| Content freshness | Fixed cards — same every time | Events never repeat the same way |
What We Love About Chronology
Chronology gets a lot right. The core mechanic is brilliant:
- Pure history focus. No pop culture filler — Chronology leans into real historical events across eras.
- Simple to learn, hard to master. "Did this happen before or after?" is instantly understandable. But getting a long timeline right is genuinely difficult.
- Educational by design. You learn by playing, not by studying. Every wrong guess teaches you something.
- Great for groups. Works with 2-8 players and scales well for family game nights or classroom use.
- Affordable entry point. At $10-15 per box, it's one of the best value board games for history lovers.
We built Sorting History because we love this mechanic and wanted it to go further.
Where a Digital Version Helps
After years of playing Chronology, here are some areas where a digital format offers advantages:
"We've played through all the cards"
With about 150 events per box, experienced players start recognizing cards and remembering dates. You can buy another edition, but you'll eventually run through those too.
Sorting History: 12 categories at launch with 100+ researched events each, with new categories planned monthly. You won't run out.
"I want to focus on a specific era or topic"
Each Chronology box mixes events from all periods and subjects. There's no way to play just ancient history, or just sports, or just science.
Sorting History: 12 specialized categories at launch — from Ancient Civilizations to TV History, Scientific Discoveries to Sports History. Pick exactly what interests you, or mix and match for each game.
"I want to play solo"
Chronology is designed as a multiplayer game. Playing alone means reading your own cards, which defeats the purpose.
Sorting History: Full solo mode with difficulty levels and ranks. The Daily Challenge gives you a new 4-event puzzle every single day — perfect for a quick solo session.
"We can't always get the group together"
Chronology needs at least two people in the same room with the physical cards.
Sorting History: Network Play connects two devices over local WiFi. Pass & Play works with 2-6 teams on one device. Solo mode means you never need another player.
"It's too easy / too hard for some players"
Chronology has fixed rules. If the difficulty doesn't match your group, there's no adjustment.
Sorting History: Three scoring modes. Friendly (no penalties) for learning. Competitive (+2/-1) for balanced play. Expert (+3/-2) for serious history buffs. Everyone plays at their level.
"I want something quick on the go"
Setting up Chronology means finding the box, shuffling cards, and gathering players. Not ideal for a bus ride or waiting room.
Sorting History: The Daily Challenge takes under 5 minutes. A Sprint game is 5 rounds. The app is always in your pocket, ready when you are.
What Chronology Still Does Better
We're honest about where the physical game wins:
- The social experience. Sitting around a table, reading events aloud, debating where they go — that group energy is hard to replicate digitally.
- No screens required. Some families prefer screen-free game nights, and Chronology delivers that.
- A great gift. A Chronology box is a tangible, wrap-it-up gift. An app download is harder to put under the tree.
- No subscription needed. Buy once, play forever. (Though Sorting History has a generous free tier and a lifetime purchase option.)
- The read-aloud format. Having someone read the event to you while you decide where it fits is a unique part of the Chronology experience.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Chronology if:
- You prefer physical cards and screen-free game nights
- You enjoy the read-aloud, social debating format
- You're buying a gift that feels tangible
- You play occasionally and don't need endless content
- You already own and love the physical game
Choose Sorting History if:
- You've played through your Chronology cards and want fresh content
- You want to focus on specific categories (12 at launch, with plans to grow monthly)
- You want a Daily Challenge to test yourself every day
- You want to play solo or with people on separate devices
- You want difficulty options for different skill levels
- You want something quick on the go — no setup, no cards to carry
- You want to try before you buy (free tier with 8 categories)
Try Sorting History Free
Love the Chronology mechanic? Sorting History launches April 2026 with up to 12 categories (with plans to grow monthly), a Daily Challenge, three play modes, and a free tier to try before you commit.
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