Brain Age

[GFLPraxis]

http://www.nintendoplayers.com/article.php?articleID=212


Nintendo Ships Brain Age for Nintendo DS
The Japanese craze starts in North America today.
by Robert Hiskey

April 17, 2006 - Nintendo of America announced today that Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day is now shipping to North American retailers. The game, which has already sold more than 2 million copies in Japan, uses the unique microphone and touch-screen capabilities of the Nintendo DS to create "fun mental workouts." The game also contains more than 100 Sudoku puzzles to keep players entertained.

"Adults with little or no video gaming experience don't have to worry about complicated button mashing," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing, whose Brain Age is 30. "Brain Age is just the latest example of Nintendo's commitment to creating software for a broad range of consumers with varying levels of experience."

"Nintendo's Brain Age should be just one element of an active lifestyle that includes mental stimulation, exercise and a good diet," says Dr. Elizabeth Zelinski, dean and executive director of Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California. "Brain Age is a great way for people to keep challenging themselves."

Remember, Brain Age is not a traditional video game. The "non-game" is being targeted towards more elderly consumers who do not traditionally play games. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it too! The game is rated E for everyone and will retail for as low as $20 at retailers across America.

Source: Nintendo of America


$20? :eek: I'm most tempted. Can anyone who has the game tell me if it's worth buying?

[RobotCaptain]

I'd tell you how it is, but my local store didn't have it yet. :(

[Phobophobia]

If you haven't already, get this game.

Official Site (http://www.brainage.com/launch/index.jsp)

Anyway. I've had the game for one day, my current brain age is 36. It's awesome. I can't wait until I unlock more training games.

If you have questions about the game, feel free to ask. I'd love to hear some brain ages from people who have the game.

[treblah]

This 'game' and its 'sequel' are the main reason I'm getting a DS, as soon as the Lite comes out over here.

[Bubbasteve]

I love the concept of this game, glad to hear a good review.

Anyword on the US release of the DS Lite?

[Phobophobia]

Nintendo hasn't said anything official yet. I'll be getting a DS Lite, as well.

[srobert]

I've tried Brain Age on my lunch hour at one of those DS Download station. (EB Games) The demo was very short but very addictive. I'll probably buy the real deal after work. Clever game.

[Thanatoast]

Aren't there several other brain-training games out as well? What's the difference between all of them? Is Brain Age the best?

[srobert]

Aren't there several other brain-training games out as well? What's the difference between all of them? Is Brain Age the best?

I can understand the confusion. ^_^

Brain Age Trian Your Brain In Minutes a Day (US)
AKA: Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain (EU)

http://homepage.mac.com/srobert/.Pictures/WepPicPosts/BrainAge.jpg

It's the only one that has seen a North-America release at this time.
It has a sequel in Japan. (DS Training For Adults: Work Your Brain More).
The sequel will also be released in Europe.
There is supposedly a third game in development.

Japan Release Date: May 19, 2005
North America Release Date: April 17, 2006
Europe Release Date: June 9, 2006 (Estimated retail price of around £20 or around 30 euros)


Big Brain Academy (US)
AKA: Brain Flex (JPN)

http://homepage.mac.com/srobert/.Pictures/WepPicPosts/bigbrain.jpg

Similar concept. From Nintendo. More graphical.

Japan Release Date: June 30, 2005
North America Release Date: June 5, 2006
European Release Date: Q2 2006


Ultimate Brain Games

http://homepage.mac.com/srobert/.Pictures/WepPicPosts/ultimatebraingames.jpg

Not a "Brain Trining" as the others. Simply a compilation of
traditional games like chess, backgamon, etc… I think it's a
port of an old playstation game. (2003) and GBA game.

Japan Release Date: ?
North America Release Date: November 2006
European Release Date: ?

[gauchogolfer]

Does anyone know if this is available in Europe yet? I'm interested in it as well. Looks like a good way to get my wife interested in the DS Lite :)

[SilentPanda]

I picked it up earlier today. It's definitely worth $20 I think. Consider it an excersice tape for your brain. It's not so much a "game" as it is a "tool" to incorporate into your daily routine. And if you like Suduko (or however you spell it) it comes with that too.

[mechamac]

My wife and I dig it. One nice thing - if two people have their brain training sessions saved on a cartridge the game lets you know if you're doing better or worse than someone else with a save when you complete a task. Funny stuff.

[mikemodena]

I caught this in this month's Popular Science that came a few days ago. My friends make fun of me for reading it... but I love it. Anyway, this doesn't seem like a bad investment.

[turbodub]

I bought Brain Age thinking it was Big Brain Academy. It seems to me that Brain Age is more math/word based, while Big Brain Academy is more picture based. I work with numbers and words all day, so I'm not as interested in Brain Age.

I returned Brain Age (without opening it). Maybe I'll have to try it out at a download station first and see how I like it.

[Ja Di ksw]

I just bought this game for my gf as a gift, partially on the recommendations from this board, partially b/c she said it looked cool. I'll give her a bit and tell you guys what she thinks, but from what I've seen it looks good.

Edit: I was surprised it was only $20

[paddy]

Does anyone know if this is available in Europe yet? I'm interested in it as well. Looks like a good way to get my wife interested in the DS Lite :)

Rumours at the moment is that its August for Europe and June for the U.S but no confirmations from nintendo as of yet. Probably at E3. I was waiting for a Lite but I couldnt hold out any longer so I just went and got a normal one with 3 games off ebay instead.

[rumbletum]

Got my shipping notifiaction for this today, can't wait to receive it

[GFLPraxis]

I expect it in May. The local GameStop has DS Lite accessories listed for May and rumor is that it'll launch alongside Super Mario Bros DS.