One thing that Nintendo are good at is trying to create new ideas and re invent themselves. The DS is a totally unique console with it's dual screen, touch screen and Microphone. So you will be pleased to Know that Nintendo have invented a game that utilises all of the Ds consoles features and will appeal to all age groups. Furthermore Brain training has also invented a new genre of gaming which is education.
We are constantly bombarded with people telling us to eat well, excersise, stop smoking, and to cut back on those full English breakfasts, but who looks after our brain? Well up until now maybe a crossword or Sudoku. But know thanks to Dr Ryuta Kawashima and Nintendo they have invented a game that will keep your brain young and healthy, no longer will you forget why you went to the shop.
Brain training tests your mental brain age by giving you a variety of tasks to complete, such as simple arithmetic, or you will be presented with the name of a colour on the screen such as blue and you have to shout out what the colour is, sounds easy but the word blue maybe coloured in yellow thus confusing the brain. When you have completed the tasks you will be given a brain age and the idea of the game is to beat that age by completing daily tasks, then when you are up to it you can take the test again. The ultimate goal is to get your brain age to 20
Initially there are only a few simple tasks to complete 20 simple maths equations, reading tasks and memory tasks. When you have completed a task you are presented with a calendar which Kawashima stamps. The more stamps you obtain the more new tasks you are awarded and this keeps the game pretty addictive until you have been awarded all training modes! One of my favourite tasks is counting the number of people that enter and exit a house, they enter one door and leave through the other, but some stay in the house, at the end you have to say how many are left. Finally all tasks are ranked so you can see how well you are doing, it is best if you train with another person then you can try and beat their scores which add to the fun
During the game Kawashima will give you daily tips and advice, such as "eat more fish" and some days he will present you with something you have to draw from memory such as a Zebra. This is also more fun if there is another player as you can compare your artwork. You can only do one of each task a day and your first score will be ranked, this cuts down the games longevity as you will only play it for 15 mins a day. But there is an excellent sudoku mode with easy to fiendishly difficult. If you like Sudoku it's worth buying for this feature alone.
The great thing about brain training is that it's fun and easy to pick up, it also uses the touch screen and the microphone. The handwriting recognition is very effective it will recognise most letters and words but some times it fails. You may draw a number and it will recognise it as something else. and this is a problem because it could result in you getting an equation wrong through no fault of your own. Moreover the voice recognition software is amazing but if you have a certain accent it wont recognise it, It seems that queens English is the most effective. These problems where recently highlighted on Watchdog.
On paper this game doesn't sound like much fun, like going back to school., but it is great fun. The only problem is that it only lasts for a couple of weeks and you will probably get tired of it. I found as soon as the new tasks dried up I lost interest, there are the Sodoku puzzles to keep you amused but really this was just an extra nindendo bolted on for the Western market. In conclusion this is a fantastic game but short ultimately short lived.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
In a nutshell:The portable phenomenon that has taken Japan by storm finally hits the UK. ... more
Part puzzle game, part self improvement tool this is the only game thats both lots of fun and good for you and thats before you even start on Sudoku!The lowdown:N...
Postage & Packaging: £1.85 Availability: Usually dispatched within 2-3 business days...
If you're bored of playing games that don't stretch your brain cells and you'd like to ... more
give your grey matter an extensive workout, pick up the Professor's program. The tests have been devised in cooperation with Prof. Kawashima himself, a renowned neur...
Postage & Packaging: Free standard delivery on all orders over £30 Availability: Stock On Order
In a nutshell:The portable phenomenon that has taken Japan by storm finally hits the UK. ... more
Part puzzle game, part self improvement tool this is the only game thats both lots of fun and good for you and thats before you even start on Sudoku!The lowdown:N...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Take the brain age test and compare the score to your real age!Daily training by quickly ... more
solving simple mathematics, sudoku puzzles, memory exercises and reading aloud can stimulate your brain and keep it fit. Enjoy calculation battles over the Nintend...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: Out of stock
Advantages: Training every day actually works, most games are easy to use, price Disadvantages: The best age you can get is 20, certain technological problems
Advantages: its good at helping your times tables and reminding yourself of what you have forgotten! Disadvantages: It keeps repeating itself and has a limited amount of functions
Advantages: Longevity, good price for what it is, addictive, makes you think, ideal for the commute Disadvantages: Probably won't really improve your brain, my 4s and 9s are confused
very helpful by (96%):
helpful by (4%):
