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Use your brain

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 831 / 871
Date: April 17, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I'm not entirely sure whether I can call a game like Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day a video game. Its graphics are hardly groundbreaking, its audios are almost monotonous, and its core gameplay involves reading aloud, counting syllables and solving mathematical problems. Surely, that's not what video gaming is all about, is it? Well, not if you hail from the Nintendo school of gaming, no. As mundane as Brain Age sounds, it's actually strangely addictive, and once you begin your journey of improving your brain age, you'll find yourself deeply immersed in the various activities aimed at giving your brain a daily workout.

The primary objective of Brain Age is to "exercise your brain". This is done through doing activities that are designed to stimulate your prefrontal cortex, which is the part of your brain that influences how you apply what you've learnt (whatever). It's believed that doing these activities on a regular basis will have a positive effect on your brain. Whether or not this holds any truth, I'm not sure. But with 15 activities to choose from, at least the game can keep you occupied for quite a while, even though some of these activities are less desirable to do than others.

Some of these activities include a calculation game, which puts you through a series of simple mathematical problems. 2+6, anyone? Or 8x7, for that matter? Well, you get the picture. The idea is basically to get the brain to start thinking quickly with a succession of simple questions, instead of forcing the player to spend too much time dwelling on one. There're different variations of this calculation module, but the underlying gameplay doesn't divert from the idea of rapidly solving a problem.

Reading aloud is another activity in Brain Age. Obviously, this makes use of the DS' mic, and it basically requires you to read through an article as quickly as possible. While you may have problems pronouncing words like "epoch", you can actually breeze through this activity by simply bulldozing through without pronouncing the words properly. Just remember to wipe the saliva off your DS screens. Syllables counting is another mini-game on Brain Age. This one requires you to count the number of syllables in a short sentence, and then write the answer down on the touch screen. If you're not exactly sure about what is a "syllable", just remember that the word "syllable" itself has three syllables, and you should be fine.

Of course, there're more to just calculation, reading aloud, or counting syllables in Brain Age, but as you can see, the activities in the game are not exactly the "saving the world from an evil force" kind. Yet, the game's appeal comes in the form of its simplicity. At times, when playing this game, I feel like I'm doing one of those online IQ tests, and the eagerness to score well is impetus enough for me to keep going despite the dryness of the questions. This basically sums up the charm of Brain Age.

To spice things up a little, Brain Age also included a substantial amount of Sudoku puzzles. Now, if you can believe my wife, Sudoku is the best thing on Earth since sliced bread. The popularity of this grid-based puzzle game is immense, and it's not surprising to see it being included in the game. As with the usual Sudoku books, the Sudoku puzzles in Brain Age are sorted according to difficulty. The easy ones are, well, pretty easy to solve, while the advanced ones require more logical thinking. Anyhow, Brain Age contains more than 100 Sudoku puzzles, which should keep fans of Sudoku occupied for quite some time. Having Sudoku as one of the 15 activities in Brain Age basically provides additional value for an already value-for-money budget game.

And, to top it up, Brain Age also has a multiplayer mode, which allows you to host up to an amazing 15 players with one cartridge. Unfortunately, the only playable activity in this mode is the calculation module, which lets you take on others in 30 mathematics questions. This gets old really quickly. It'd be fun if you can challenge your friends to a game of Sudoku (duh!), really.

Brain Age also requires a unique way of playing. You play it with the DS being held vertically, much like reading a book, with the touch screen on the right. The concept is to recreate the scenario of solving puzzles in a puzzle book, and to a certain extent, this blends in very nicely with the objective of the game. And, true to the game's out-of-the-box nature, Brain Age is played entirely with the DS' features. That is, via the touch screen and the mic. These make the game more "book-like" than the usual DS games. The game also caters to left-handers. If you're a leftie like me, simply tell the game so, and you can turn the DS "the other way round" so that the touch screen switches to the left. This is a nice touch, or the game may just lose a lot of potential buyers!

The problem with how the game plays, however, lies in the sensitivity of the touch screen and the mic. Somehow, it seems to have problem registering my pronunciation of "black", and doesn't really recognize my "8" on the touch screen properly. As a result, I've an initial brain age of 76 (!) because of unnecessary errors. It appears that players will need to adapt to how the game receives input to do well in their own results. This is not exactly a big issue, but it could be frustrating when you're trying to beat a certain timing, only to be let down by your poor handwriting or diction.

In conclusion, Brain Age is a very different sort of game, even by the DS' selection of quirky titles. It may not boast the usual features that sell a video game, but in their place, we've something that is simple, unassuming, and ultimately very addictive. Moreover, the game is supposed to improve the functionality of your brain, so what's there to lose? Brain Age is highly recommended.

Brain Freeze

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 50 / 56
Date: April 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

There isn't so much when it really comes to mental games for consoles or handhelds, unless it is something you'd see in the newspapers like the typical crossword puzzle, or the recently popular numbers game sudoku. They all have been so well-rendered to keep your mind in tip top shape. As for Nintendo, they have also made their mark with the way we play video games on the home market, and the handhelds with the Game Boy rendiditons, and the Nintendo DS nearly over a year ago. Well, Nintendo has put that mental challenge to the extremes for the DS in more ways than one.

Brain Age for the Nintendo DS, is a compilation of all different kinds of games and puzzles that test your ability to read, and apply yourself mentally. The game consists of certain evaluations that reflect on how you remember words, simple math problems, and how fast you can also read. The game also includes sudoku on it, and it tells you how you are with the game, and what you need to do better. The stylus is really used quite well, and much better than most of the other games that rely on it. There also are challenges that test you verbally as well, like the stroop exam where you have to read the color of the text of a word, instead of the word itself. There is one big disadvantage, you have to say the words clearly through the stroop exam, because there are times where you may get the answer right, it might not be registered properly and your score may be affected.

Despite a few flaws on the microphone, Brain Age really is a great mental challenge for Nintendo DS. It is a must buy for the mind as well as the pockets. I love how stimulating the challenges are, and there is so much to go around. I just hope there are more of these mental games for other systems like this one soon, it is definitely something missing for the video game market.

Graphics: B+

Sound: A-

Price: A-

Microphone use: C+

Control: B 1/2+

Fun & Enjoyment: B

Overall: B 1/2+

In This Game You Will Destroy Evil Brain Eating Aliens

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 14
Date: April 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

... if that's what you need to tell you kid to get them to play Brain Age, go for it.

It doesn't happen, of course. This is calesthenics for your noggin, and it's a well-crafted, fascinating, exciting little adventure. This game is a phenonemon in Japan and I can see why. Amazing interactivity coupled with intense training, a wicked sense of humor and something that will actually do something positive for your mind and show measurable results!

Yes, the sound and hand-writing recognition leaves a lot to be desired, but this video game is about the TRAINING, not the destination. Get out of thinking that you must reach Level Four or you're a failure. Just doing these exercises is what it's about. I won't go into the actual training techniques, which have been covered in other reviews, but will say they are challenging and enjoyable.

Finally, the biggest audience for this game in Japan are the over 50-60 age range. It has been blamed for Nintendo DS systems selling out! This kind of stuff sits Nintendo above the competition. It will actively help your mind. Kudos to them for creating it and kudos to all you non-video-game players who will pick it up and get the benefit from it.

Great idea. Horrible writing and sound recognition = unplayable.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 37
Date: April 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I was really looking forward to this. I like the idea of a game challenging you to improve your thought speed by daily training. Very intriguing premise.
However after trying out the game at a DS download station at a local Gamestop I don't think I'll be picking it up.
The game has huge problems with recognition. On one of the tests you have to say the color a word is written in, not the word (which is a different color), into the mic. I would have gotten every one right and in good time but the DS could not recognize my speech. Which I thought to be somewhat strange since I generally pronounce my words quite well. So, after clearly enunciating BLUE! for the fifth time the game finally recognized what I was saying.
Ugh.
Next up was the quick math test, where you do simple arithmetic problems in rapid succession. Now I will admit that my writing isn't very neat but come on! The DS recognized all my 9's as 8's, oftentimes it would skip the next problem after I'd only just put the stylus to screen with an answer giving me an incorrect for the problem, and when it wasn't misreading my solutions it simply wouldn't recognize them at all; giving me a question mark for my efforts and I would have to do the problem again.
What I find exceedingly frustrating here is that I like the idea and I want to play the game, (or use the tool, depending on your perspective) but at least for me it seems impossible to achieve accurate results.
Highly disappointing.

Brain Age-Great for Students

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: April 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Brain Age is really good for students in school. I just got it today and the activites help you concentrate and are alot of fun. Do Brain Age before studying for a test, or on the bus before school. It will help you in school pretty well.

One of my favorite Nintendo DS games - It's actually fun

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 14
Date: April 21, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Considering I'm a High School drop-out, I didn't think I'd want to spend 20 dollars on a "game" that has me doing math problems & such.. Although after getting it, I was real pleased by the whole thing overall.

You can unlock new mind games to play if you keep at it every day. Also you can choose if you're right or left handed, which is very convienent.. And trying to beat your score is a good way to waste time without feeling like you're actually wasting time.

The idea is you want to get as close to a 20 year old brain age as possible... Easier said than done. It'll take a lot of practice to get to it.. Right now my best score is a 34. The higher the score, the worse.

*** A NOTE TO PEOPLE CURIOUS OR COMPLAINING ABOUT MICROPHONE USE***

- There is some difficulty in the DS recognizing when you say "Blue" as a previous one-star reviewer stated.. However it's easy to fix.

All you got to do is talk normally - *DON'T YELL AT YOUR DS* - Just talk like you would if someone was sitting right next to you.. And keep the DS about a foot or more away from your face. As long as you're not yelling, it's fine. The microphone is much more sensitive on this game than it is on others.

- Overall... Will Brain Age actually make any of us smarter? I don't know about "smarter".. But it will get us thinking clearer more often. It was the best selling game in Japan, & now it's here for us to enjoy.

And in a country where someone like George W Bush is elected President (twice?!)... We need all the help we can get to make this country thinking clearer.

A new concept...but just gimmick?

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: April 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Many DS gamers (including me) were anticipating one of the bestselling Japanese title to release in United States and see what all the hypes are about; Nintendo Power wrote a long article about how clever Brain Age is and how addicting it can be. When I see the price of the game, I know something is wrong. I agree that this game is very clever and a brilliant concept, but it doesn't offer much gameplay. Brain Age revolves around numbers, words, and colors; you have to complete the puzzles as quickly as possible to "train your brain" and get the exceptional brain age of 20.
You cannot unlock every puzzles in one day, because you need to collect stamps everyday to unlock more puzzles for you to solve. This game can be quite repetitive, especially during the first few days since not everything is unlocked. I think the "train your brain" concept is just a gimmick, since there is no scientific research to back it up (but I know doing puzzles are better than just being a couch potato). The puzzles are fun at time, but quite annoying when it comes to puzzles that require you to speak to the microphone; as mentioned from previous reviewers, there is a definite problem for the game to recongnize the word "blue", I thought I was not saying the word right, but it turns out that many gamers are experiencing the same problem. Other than that, this game is quite fun, but you will probably lose interest in "training your brain" after several weeks. As a bonus, Brain Age includes 100+ sudoku puzzles for you to solve! These puzzles can get hard!
So in conclusion, this game is worth $20 for some reasons:
1. Repetitive gameplay.
2. There aren't much things you can do in one day.
3. This game is cheap to make...not much graphics, not much sounds, and no music.
4. Some problems with voice recognition.
But there are also some great factors:
1. Clever concept.
2. Nice stylus control.
3. Don't have to spend too much time to "train your brain".
4. Multiplayers can be quite fun...let's see who's better in math!
This game is actually worth the money if you are looking for new things to play, but if you are a hardcore gamer, you may want to skip this game.

surprisingly fun and infectious...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

i picked this up because it was such a sensation in japan (the joint power of this game and nintendogs killed off the psp in japan for good. proof of the ds dominance: the nintendo ds usually has 8 titles in the monthly top selling games list in japan, with the exceptions normally one gba game and one ps2 game, or two gba games.), and because of the attractive price. but i was still unsure about how fun and what longevity one could find in a brain training game. well i've found out. the games are challenging and fun and you really look forward to the next day's training, pictures, and new unlocked stuff. a must-buy ds game.

IT'S A RIP OFF!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 23
Date: April 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The stupid thing doesn't recognize your handwriting so when you write the correct answer under timed conditions it counts it as wrong. Likewise, it often can't understand your voice either. So you sit there for 10 minutes saying the same thing over and over again and it keeps asking you to repeat it. There is one "test" where you're asked to memorize 30 words in 2 minutes and then write them all back in 1 minute. Fine; great; no problem. Right? WRONG! It can't recognize your handwriting so you, under timed conditions, you can't even get one of the words. So at the end, the software tells you that you're basically stupid. Well, I'm returning it and the lame Nintendo DS too. DON'T BUY IT! It will only frustrate you.

Great Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game with a number of doubts, but since it was $20, I decided to give it a try, and I am glad I did. The game is surprisingly fun, with a number of different exercises for you to do that you actually do need to concentrate on to complete.

As for voice and handwriting recognition problems, neither I nor any of my friends who have played my copy have had any problems whatsoever. There is the occasional error that occurs, but that only happens when I try to hurry and don't enunciate or write properly. It's likely that those having problems with the system are trying to speak too quickly, and are writing too sloppily for the game to recognize. Take your time and enunciate properly, as well as write out the words/numbers clearly, and there will be no problems.

Excellent "game"; I've been playing it everyday since I got it five days ago (admittedly not that far back) and it's still just as refreshing as the first day. And I can see where the exercises could indeed help "train your brain". The simple math exercises and memorization/tracking games require you to concentrate, and also require that you think quickly, both of which are incredibly valuable.

Whether or not this will translate back into real life is debatable, but given the low price (in terms of both time and money) it is worth a shot. At the very least your ability to do simple arithmetic will improve - which is sorely needed in today's age of calculators; it is often shocking to me how difficult people find it to calculate how much to tip, how much change they should receive, etc.

And finally, the Sudoku puzzles themselves are worth the $20 purchase. I hadn't even heard of Sudoku prior to buying this game - apparently I've been living under a rock the past couple of years - and I was addicted after playing a few puzzles. The first ten or so puzzles are pretty easy, but naturally they get progressively harder, and there are over 100 puzzles, so these will last you a while. And the Nintendo DS's interface is PERFECT for Sudoku. The ability to easily write in "potential" answers as notes along with the ability to easily correct errors and erase numbers is lovely.

In conclusion, this is a great game, and very much worth the paltry $20 price tag it is being sold at. It is fun, intuitive to control, may increase your ability to think clearly and effectively, definitely will increase your ability to do simple math, and has Sudoku; you can't go wrong.

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