More Brain Training (NDS) > Reviews > Polish up your Brain cells

Author's product rating:   

Playability & Enjoyment	A good game - playable and enjoyable
Addictiveness	Not exactly addictive but certainly playable
Graphics	OK
Difficulty & Complexity	Average - suitable for most
Value for money	Good value

Advantages:	Good fun way to exercise your brain
Disadvantages:	You really need to play regularly to get a benefit

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Do you want to improve your brain power? Or perhaps just to exercise the brain that you have? Personally I have never been into computer games but the new range of titles available from Nintendo for use on their DS started to attract me - my little grey cells are getting older these days and I thought putting them to the test might be fun.

I managed to buy a Nintendo DS from Amazon just before they went into short supply and, as they didn't have the Brain Training software in stock, I settled for buying More Brain Training instead and eagerly awaited the chance to put myself to the test.

As with all DS games it comes safely packaged so all you need to do is open the case, take out the game card and insert it into the slot in the DS and you are ready to play.

You enter your basic details into the DS so that it can keep track of your performance as you work through the exercises and you are ready to go. Like many of these packages when you first start you have access to a limited range of tests and more and more unlock as you you progress. Having had mine for about three weeks I now have all the tests unlocked and the chance to attempt 'Normal' or 'Hard' versions of each. You can also have a little fun by testing to find out your 'Brain Age' - I wasn't sure about this option at first as my Brian Age was similar to my real age when I first started to use it but now I have managed to bring it down to the high 20s which is a considerable improvement.

The tests available are varied and quite good fun. Missing Symbols gives you little calculations and the answers, you just have to fill in the correct symbol so that 2?3=5 would need you to fill in the +. Masterpiece recital allows you to play a little tune by following the notes - you score by playing the correct notes in the right sequence. There are letters for each note if you don't read music but be warned if you don't read music the 'hard' version of this test doesn't give you the letters to follow!

Word scramble is a rotating set of letters which you have to make into the correct word - good fun if you like those sort of games. Correct change requires you to calculate the right change for a transaction by touching the correct coins. Word blend is quite testing where you have to listen to spoken words and then write them down - sounds easy? Well yes it would be but they say two of three words at the same time so believe me it can be quite challenging. Memory addition is fun, you have to remember the number you have just seen and add it to the new number on the screen - you need concentration for this one!

Days and dates is quite tricky - what was the dates two days before yesterday? and lots more combinations to make you think really hard. Finishing position involves watching little characters in a race and then working out what position the one you are watching finished the race - another one needing lots of concentration. Determine the time - just work out the time on the clock that it asks you for - would be easy but the clock is in different positions and sometimes mirrored so it isn't as easy as you think!

Calculate the height - another challenging game requiring great concentration and finally there is a little Germ buster game to help you relax.

Did I enjoy it - yes I did. Suddenly I find myself actually enjoying having a little brain workout using a Nintendo DS. Something I thought I would never do.

Would I recommend it?
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Yes I would. It is fun and very enjoyable. I do think it has helped to sharpen my brain a little and it does help with concentration skills. I have also found that I suddenly can speak the same language as youngsters who have the Nintendo DS - I have new found 'street cred'!
Spurred on by my success in training my brain to get fitter I have also bought a Wii with a view to starting with Wii Fit when it comes out in the UK shortly - suddenly computer games have a whole new meaning for me ........................!