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great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: March 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is fun for everyone. Even has a competiitive element. You can rate yourself against the other players (or members in your family)

Close, But No Cigar

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: January 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I'm currently borrowing Brain Age from some friends of mine. As a web developer, I like solving puzzles and trying to keep my mind sharp. The game overall is a lot of fun and definitely proves to be a great way to improve thinking skills. That said, I have some quarrels with it.

The handwriting recognition in the game really leaves something to be desired. By no means do I have the neatest handwriting in the world, but when I write a capital 'P' and it's recognized as a lowercase 'q', it's clear to me that the development team needed to spend more time refining that mechanism. To be fair, this only happens for me when writing letters - numbers work fine most of the time, although just now I had it recognize my 5 as a 4. What's more, the majority of the puzzles I've encountered use numbers and not letters.

Nevertheless, there *are* puzzles in the game that require the player to write letters in. There's one where the player is asked to memorize a list of words, and write as many as possible onto the screen within 2 minutes. The first time I did this, I had memorized at least 10 of the words, but was only able to mark 2 in. My a's and e's were recognized as o's, my H's and t's as l's, and my g's as q's. It became a game in itself to write these in - I started using uppercase A's. I made sharp angles on my P's and made them all uppercase. I wrote my e's backwards from the way I normally write them. But even after all of this, there are still some of my letters it cannot recognize.

One could just skip this puzzle, but therein lies my biggest problem with it: this puzzle is randomly chosen in the "Brain Age Check" that ranks how quickly the player thinks. Although players can check their Brain Ages as many times as they like, the game only records the ranking once a day - the first that the test is taken. When a game ranks a player as essentially being stupider because it can't recognize their handwriting, it's not only inaccurate, but demeaning and frustrating. Especially when there are more people in the registry with whom the player is competing against.

Other people I've talked to have trouble with the voice recognition. In one puzzle, players are asked to recite color names. I have trouble with it recognizing when I say "Black". Other people seem to have trouble with "Blue". This doesn't frustrate me quite as much because the game has a higher success rate (for me) than the handwriting portion, but it falls into that same category.

If it weren't for these usability issues, the game would get 5 stars from me. Some people dislike the floating, talking head, but I think he's an endearing touch that keeps the game from seeming cold and mechanical. He does repeat himself a lot, but I don't think it's a flaw in the game. The game is easy to understand and get around, and most of the puzzles remain challenging while still being simple enough to understand. The team's good choice for sound effects and music complement the elegantly simple user interface.

For someone like myself who's never played sudoku, Brain Age was an excellent introduction with something like 100 puzzles. What's more, read the reviews of the other sudoku games for Nintendo DS and you'll find that Brain Age is the only one that handles the navigation of the sudoku board with finesse. Now that it has me addicted to sudoku, that alone may be enough to warrant me purchasing the game for myself.

Think Of It As A Daily Vitamin

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: June 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This little "game" is cool on so many levels. I think it's designed primarily for adults, but all my kids play regularly because it appeals to their competitive side. Basically, it's kind of a daily "Test Yourself" exercise. You initially take some simple tests and based on your speed and number of correct answers, you are given a "Brain Age". It's usually pretty awful because of the things mentioned by other reviewers - figuring out the speech recognition quirks, etc. But really, the point is to get a baseline from which to measure your improvement. There's plenty of research to support the benefits of daily "brain" activities and this game offers a variety of them. You are also rewarded for "training" every day - new activities become available as you log in more training days. On top of that, you can compete against other players. (I personally get a HUGE kick out of watching my kids trying to beat each other's scores in math drills and speed reading. How often does that happen?) If you or your kids have a DS, this is a great addition to your game collection. I gave my mom a DS and this game for Christmas and she loves it!

fabulous games! 10 stars!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: March 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User

About 4 months ago, and for the express purpose of mental acuity (I am 61), I got a DS Lite bundle with "Brain Age 1" in it.

Let me say here that these games are not necessarily intended to be "entertainment for kids on a long car trip." The graphics are crisp but minimal. The point is the content. Anyone under the age of 21 (and probably 30) would not get a kick out of this game. It's intended for adults for the express purpose of mental acuity, not entertainment. (If
you want that, try "Touchmaster.")

That said, I really like the DS and the BA game. About a month after I started BA1, I liked it so much that I bought BA 2. Then, a friend gave me "Big Brain Academy." I do all three, start to finish, daily.

The game's goal is to get your brain age down to 20 years. I started at "age 80," which was quite humbling because I thought I did quite a bit to keep mentally sharp! (But I am down to 22 and 28, respectively, for 1&2. I've been doing these games since Dec 07 (it is now May 08). I'm very competitive against a standard, so I am going to keep goin' for 20! Maybe before I turn 70!)

Scores are based on accuracy and speed. Instructions are very clear, both on-screen and in the written dox.

And it even greets you with "happy birthday" on your special day!

Negatives. (1) The voice-recognition feature doesn't work at all well. For me, at least. So I just skip the games that require it. Unfortunately, the brain age tests use games that use voice-recognition. More below on a cheat for this. (2) Sometimes the stylus is too sensitive. More below. (3) I'd like to be able to click through the helper's "commentary," but I haven't figured out how to do that yet. Also, depending on the time of day, there are 'events' (drawing from memory, acrostics, etc.) that I'd like to click through to get to the training games, but haven't figured that out yet, either. Maybe it's not possible.

The game is entirely stylus-controlled. The handwriting recognition is pretty good. (Far, far better than in "Brain Challenge"!) You don't have to bear down on the stylus in order for the game to "read" your response.

In fact, if you don't hold the stylus far enough away from the screen, you get "interference" and the game won't read your response. (A video on YouTube shows a fellow doing the set of 20 math-fact calculations in 7 seconds. It appears that he writes very small and doesn't lift the stylus very high. When I do this, I get non-reads. Right now I'm at 14 sec. and I don't see how I can write any faster, so this guy's record is safe from me!)

You will have to learn how to write so the game will read it. For example, fours must be "open" rectangles at the top - - not the ones that are closed triangles. K must be done in 2 strokes. Vs have to be wide. Ts must be upper case. Lower case Is, and put the dot quite far up. And so on. I have the most trouble with having it read my 5s.

You can play the games multiple times a day, but only the score on the first one will be recorded.

Some games come with normal/hard settings. The hard ones are real killers! ("Head Count" and "Triangle Math" are downright devilish!)

I feel very accomplished on days when I run the table on the calendar (BA 2) and the clock games (one on BA 1 and one on 2)! I don't care about the speed as much as I do the accuracy on these.

BA1 has 2 math-facts games (20 problems and 100). The reading-aloud game (how fast you can speak) is a bust because of the voice recognition problem. A memory game of tapping boxes in ascending numerical order is a challenge for me. You get to see the jumbled arrangement of the numbered boxes for a split second (like maybe a 1/10th). The game in which you count syllables in printed words is easy.

Triangle math is a little confusing at first. There are 3 numbers in a row at the top. Between each pair is a + or - sign. The middle number is shared. The line might read 8+5-3. You do two calculations: 8+5 is 13; and 5-3 is 2. At the bottom will be a sign that says whether to add or subtract the two answers (in this case, 13 and 2). Brush up on adding and subtracting negative numbers!

The clock game is for time elapsed. You are given 2 clocks to compare. Yes, I am still counting on my fingers for the number of hours, though I'm quicker on elapsed minutes.

One called "Head Count" is tracking people walking into and out of a house, which calls for lightning-fast calculations to arrive at how many people are in the house. With each of the 5 iterations, speed increases. (The "hard" setting for this one is darned scary. I don't want to give away the secret, but it's a hair-raiser! The first time I tried it, I laughed!)

There's a "voice calculation" game, in which you say the result of a math-fact equation. I skip that one.

There's also a Sudoku section. Can't comment on that. Don't like Sudoku.

The math section of BA2 opens with a game in which you are given three numbers, and you are to supply one of the four operations. For 6 [box] 4 = 2 , you write a minus sign. For the division sign, write a slash (/); don't bother to write the two dots. It's easy to get + and x signs rotated when you're writing in a hurry, so watch this.

The piano playing game is really fun, though some of the songs ("Kalinka" is a good example)zip along at quite a challenging speed! Make sure to tap the keys squarely in the middle and firmly. The "hard" version of this game doesn't give the letter-names of the piano keys. Make sure you locate where C is as soon as the keyboard screen shows up. Some of the songs aren't based around C. If you want to re-play the piece after you've finished, you'll get a screen of boxes with ?s. You have to choose sight-unseen. (Too bad. I'd like to work on "Kalinka"!)

For musicians, you will find the scores a little confusing to read. All eighth-notes are printed as individually-stemmed-and-flagged, rather than grouped and beamed. Read carefully; some of the songs are not the same as you might have learned them ("I've Been Workin' on the Railroad" is a good example of this). In some, the tessitura is too large, and the unavailable notes are played in the accompaniment; a little disconcerting if you expect to play all the notes. In others, the time signature is "bastardized." For example, in "Here Comes the Bride," the piece is in 6/8, but a whole note is indicated for a full measure, instead of a dotted-half, and this can throw you off because momentarily you think maybe you've switched to 4/4 somewhere and didn't notice it - enough of a puzzlement to cause you to tap a wrong key or miss a note. Sometimes a short song will be continued in transposition (usually in G or D).

The change-making game is really fun, too. Reminds me of the kids' cash register with wooden money we had in pre-school.

"Word Blend" requires you to distinguish words being said simultaneously. You write them down. The first is one word; then there are several of two words; and one of 3 words. A challenge. One of the hard ones for me recently were "motion" and "poison" said simultaneously. Your score is based on how many times you want to re-hear the speakers. Supposedly skill at aural differentiation is one of the best markers for brain acuity. In fact, there is another brain-train system I saw on PBS on one of their "begging shows." It was, as I recall, entirely based on aural recognition.

Related is one in which letters of words spin in a circle, and you must identify the words. Here is where how well you've learned to write so BA can read it is important.

"Math Recall" is the other math-fact game on BA2. You get a simple problem - - such as 5 + 4 - - and you write the answer. Then one of the numbers will be obliterated, and a new problem presented. You have to remember what was "erased" and do the new calculation. For example, the 5 might be blackened and a 7 substituted for the 4. In this case, the new equation is 5+7, but you don't get to see the 5 anymore.

I "study up" before I do the calendar game because I can never remember the date! The clock one will drive you nuts. I finally figured out how to "look" at the clocks so I could get the orientation right. I was even looking at the clocks as though I were inside a clock tower, looking outwards on the world. There's a better way, but you have to figure this out for yourself. Won't tell!

There's falling-block game where you have to track how many blocks are "behind the screen." Sometimes multiple blocks will fall into a slot, which is no big deal, however, sometimes blocks are rotated sideways (like a barbell) and cover 2 slots. It was a long time before I figured out how to deal with this; this is the only game that is not well-described in the documentation. When this happens, both slots take on the value of the "fullest" one prior to the barbell action. This one is hard for me.

There's also a "running game," in which you keep track of a runner's position. This one is easy.

I am patiently waiting for BA3. No more clocks on that one, I hope!

I like that the score is descending in age because I know what the perfect score is (age 20).

~~~

Haven't been able to find any cheats from other sources, so here are the ones I've stumbled on for both Brain Age 1 and 2.

1. If things get fouled up, press "start" to bail and have the option to start over.

2. To avoid taking brain age tests (pink) using the speaking function, when asked if you are in a place where you can speak, answer no.

3. When you want to do a brain age check, hold down "select" as you tap "brain age checl." Tap through the "I can't speak" screen, and you'll come upon a screen of other games to use to calculate brain age. (Same thing for BA 2.) Use these if you want additional games for practice, also. If you're trying to "preserve" a good brain age marker, remember to bail *before* the third game is done if you don't want to recalculate a new brain age.

4. You bail from the "brain age check" by turning off the unit. "Start" will not avail.

5. When doing BA tests, if you make an error, you must correct it to continue. The game will not "pass over" wrong answers after a certain number of seconds have elapsed, as is the case with the games. Time matters!

6. Only your first score of the day on each game will count. If you want to "warm up" before "the real thing," create other users in addition to your own account.

7. The "virus buster" game on BA2 can be only unlocked after you've done at least 1 game that day. There is no bonus game on BA1, alas. This game can be addictive.

8. Tap the moving vehicle (car, rocket ship, etc.) for a little surprise.

- -

I recommend both BA games enthusiastically. You will not be disappointed in either.

mb

PS. The other day I caught myself doing the subtraction in my check register without reaching for the calculator! I hadn't even thought to get it out of the drawer! There were the numbers, I had to subtract them, and no big deal! Before-BA, I would have had the calculator in my hand before even reaching for the checkbook!

PSS. Big Brain Academy is fun, too. Some people say they object to the juvenile/"cartoon-y" graphics, but they don't bother me at all. I am just delighted when Dr. Lobe says, "SO MASSIVE" [caps his] and hear the boisterous calliope music. (I know. I am easily amused.)

Brain Challenge is awful. You can read my review of that there.

Annoying

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 12, 2008
Author: Amazon User

While I really enjoy Sudoku puzzles & brain games of all kinds, I found this program very frustrating. On the timed tests, it frequently misinterpreted letters or numbers and graded me down accordingly. If you do not make your numbers in the exact same way as the program (including the stylus strokes in the same order), prepare for your 4's to be interpreted as 9's etc. The scientist character makes annoying and occasionally judgmental comments regarding your progress ("feeling a little tired today?") and if you miss training for a few days, prepare to be scolded.

I appreciate the premise that exercising one's brain has numerous benefits in the short and long-term, however the "cute" commentary and the difficulty with character recognition was annoying enough to merit only 2 stars.

Scissor... Sciiissssoooorrr... SCISSOR

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: May 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Voice recognition in this game needs some work. Kind of bums your score when it doesn't recognize you voice... on ONE word. My voice isn't really all that high either.... my boyfriend had no trouble. He has a really deep voice.

Aside from that... this game is just OKAY at most. I'd say try out Big Brain Academy.

Brain Age - the cheapest therapist there is

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: June 29, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I am distressed to see Brain Age and Brain Age 2 getting such cutdowns. From those of us with closed head injuries or short term memory problems, it is not only fun but $ thousands of dollars cheaper than suggested therapies. I am doing all the neurological tests (with a co-pay of $1,500) and the only scores that were impressive where the 'games' I played on Brain Age. The therapist was astounded. So was I.

So, if you are just looking for a Suduko game, then buy one at the 7-11. If you are trying to recover or stay younger, go to these games.

I am still in amazement. I love them all!

A good kick-start every morning

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: August 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Even though this is not truely a game, it is a nice and quick training to get your brain working. All the trainings (including three random tests for accessing your brain age) can be completed within 15-20 minutes, and it will keep a daily record of your training progress.

Other than the trainings and test, you can also work on 108 different sudokus. Solving each sudoku can take an average of 15 minutes.

You may need a clear voice (and a quiet environment) for this game, though it's not a requirement. One of the random tests requires you to say out the color, but you are allowed to skip it if the game is unable to understand your voice.

Help me improve my Brain Age!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 17
Date: November 26, 2006
Author: Amazon User

OK - at the age of 55 my current Brain Age is 29, BUT - I cannot for the life of me figure out the directions for Triangle Math.....Who can explain it to me better than the Professor? What the heck am I adding together and what are those two circles representing?

Thanks

Lots of fun with 1 little quirk

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: August 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I really do like this game. Supposedly, it is supposed to improve your brain power....time will tell about that. But it is fun to try the tests - it picks three random each session and if you keep coming back everyday it will add new ones. I try to play it everyday and my scores have improved as seen through the charts.

I also like the soduko puzzles - although I really didn't think I would. But I tried them to try to ward off Alzheimers and found they were challenging.

It just has 1 quirk that I have noticed so far. There is an exercise where you name the colors of words and sometimes it can't understand what you are saying or gives you a false wrong. This is very frustrating to me so at the place that asks if I can speak, I just always say no and it gives me a different test. Other than that, I really enjoy the game.

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