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Brain Age isn’t your typical puzzle game, but with its lofty claim and scientist approval, it’s hard to pass on this budget game. Brain Age’s premise is fairly simple. It thinks that by solving basic math problems and exercising your memorization might you’ll become a more intelligent person. The scientific theory behind using the prefrontal cortex as a way to increase your intelligence is fairly legit, although we’re not quite sure if these tasks are what the scientists were thinking of. Nonetheless, you’re presented with a number of daily tasks, with your performance being tallied over a period of time to see how your brain is progressing. Completing the tasks will get you a “brain age” which is how old the brain thinks your brain is. The goal is to bring it down to a mere 20 year old brain.
Brain Age certainly isn’t your typical game. You hold the Nintendo DS sideways, like a book, and you’re presented with the question on the main screen with the answers being shown on the touch screen. The tasks range from solving basic math problems, reading speed, memorization, number of syllables in a phrase, and other simple tasks. One of the more interesting things about Brain Age is that it sticks by its tagline of “minutes a day.” You can’t take a few hours and blow through the game since more tasks are unlocked as days go by. The game includes a multiplayer mode for up to 15 other players. Interestingly, you can play with just one copy of the game. In the multiplayer mode, you’re basically trying to outscore your friends. Aside from this, the game includes a number of sudoku puzzles which are now the craze.
The visuals and audio are very simple, as you would expect from a game like this. They aren’t particularly great, but the game doesn’t really require it.
Brain Age is an extremely unique product that has since spawned off countless imitators on the Nintendo DS and even some on the PSP. At its budget price, it’s a great way to use a few minutes a day. -- Adam Nunez, PGNx Media
---- Oct 13, 2006
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