Brain Training is one of those very unique games which you really can’t compare to anything else on the market today. Part of the Touch Generations series and a highly successful game in Japan and America, Brain Training is most definitely different, but what makes it so different and why is it so successful?
Being part of the newly formed “Touch Generations” series, Nintendo is marketing this game as a game for everyone and anyone, trying to tap into that audience that don’t play games anymore or who have never played games. Because the concept of the game is so easy, and the game is so easy to get into and understand, this is completely achievable with Brain Training. [u]Understanding the word D-I-F-F-E-R-E-N-T[/u] I’ve said it once and ill say it again, This Game Is Different. Even reviewing Brain Training was a completely different approach to most games. Because unlocking most of the game takes weeks and not days, and the overall “goal” of the game just cannot be completed in a few days. You can see its different as soon as you turn the game on and you have to turn the DS around on its side like a book to play the game, which works excellently and I have found that holding the DS like this; even for extended hours of play, does not cause fatigue to the arms, wrist or hand. You are greeted by a floating head who goes by the name of Dr Kawashima, and given four options on the main screen • Quick Play – A mode for friends and family who wouldn’t play frequently enough to have their own save file, but wouldn’t mind trying a few quick training exercises, a sudoku puzzle or a brain age check which is always amusing to watch, do and compare ages. • Daily Training – This is the main mode of the game. It has space for 4 save files for people who are going to be using the game frequently. It contains many exercises which can be unlocked as you play through the game, and a more extensive Brain Age check with multiple possible tests which are chosen at random. • Sudoku - Pretty self explanatory. Over 100 sudoku puzzles for each of the registered users to play and complete. • Download – This is where you can send a small demo of the game or a sudoku puzzle to another DS system. Or where you can indulge in up to 16 player multiplayer with one game cartridge.  Just like being back at school, but better! So what about the whole idea of this game appealing to larger audiences? Well my dad’s exact response after his first brain age check and bit of training was “…that’s pretty good” Even my mum had fun taking a brain age test and basking in the glory that she had beaten my dad’s brain age, and this is somebody who I have literally never been able to get interest for games out of before, apart from Buzz on the PS2. And the great thing about the game is, for people like my parents who just don’t play many games, is that the game only asks you to spend about 10 minutes a day playing it. Also, the whole psychological aspect of Brain Training; “I’m playing a game that’s good for me” ,means it’s a little easier on parents compared to the likes of Grand Theft Auto, and makes the game more appealing to some people. [u]The Main Brain Train Game[/u] As soon as you start playing Brain Training, there will only be a few exercises that are available to play. As you progress through the game, it gives you more exercises and more challenges, to stop the game getting monotonous and keeping it fresh. The exercises are simple, such as mathematical problems like 12-4=? And 5x0=? When you are trying to answer them as fast as possible and beat your previous (and other players) times, it can be quite challenging. The handwriting recognition is quick, sharp and accurate. I have only ever noticed a few problems with the accuracy; unfortunately these usually occur when you are against the clock which can affect your overall score (and possibly altering your Brain Age.) Most of the handwriting problems I noticed were when writing words and letters, opposed to numeric’s where the game rarely interprets what I write incorrectly. The voice recognition… I have to say is not as good as handwriting. Although it always manages to understand my voice, watching many other people play, I’ve noticed that’s its far from flawless and people start shouting the words even louder, making it harder for the game to pick it up and then tells you that its having trouble understanding your voice. Perhaps luckily, very few of the activities require the microphone, but it definitely has flaws, which is unfortunate.  Unfortunatly, while you read this review, your brain does NOT look like this. The Brain Age test is always fun, especially when you are trying to beat somebody else’s age it can really pile on the tension and pressure. You can choose if you want to steer clear of tests that involve speaking if you so wish. One problem with the game is that it is obviously aimed at the older audience as you can’t get a lower Brain Age than 20, which suggests the game is made for an audience who would be happy with a near-teenage brain. [u]Extra Modes[/u] Sudoku doesn’t need any introduction or explanation how to play, and Nintendo have included this in the Brain Training bundle. Although there’s over 100 puzzles, it would have been nice to see a few more, but I’m sure that’s what Nintendo are saving for “Sudoku Gridmaster” It works extremely well, with a clean and simple interface and 3 levels of difficulty and again, the handwriting recognition is excellent on this. The multiplayer mode is novel, offering 16 players math battles with one copy of the game. Although working out maths problems, hardly sounds like a fun way to spend your evening with your mates, it can be extremely competitive when playing against more than one person. It’s not a selling point, and the game can stand easily without it, but it’s a nice extra. [u]Hardware Use[/u] As I have already mentioned, using the touch screen is crucial to this game and makes it work as well as it does. It works with few flaws and makes many of the puzzles possible where they just wouldn’t work with conventional controls. The microphone gets a good workout, but not as essential to the game as the touch screen. Both of the duel screens get thorough use and even the wireless functionality of the DS gets use. And the final surprise about this game you will realise before you even play it, it’s a mere ?20! Only ?20 and its good for you? Surely games can’t get much better than this?  People enter and leave this house faster than you can blink, makes you wonder what kind of party they're having in there... [u]Closing Comment and Rating[/u] Nintendo’s Brain Training is an excellent example of differentiation from the “typical” gaming hardcore or even the casual audience. But the game is fresh, challenging and makes mental arithmetic surprisingly enjoyable and fools your brain into believing that training exercises are enjoyable! And at only ?20, everybody can afford to get their flabby grey matter through an intensive workout, and it’s cheaper than a gym membership. Visuals/Graphics – 6/10 – While not graphically impressive, visually it manages to provide a crisp, clean and easy to understand interface. Sound – 5/10 – Purely functional, nice “scribble” sound effects when writing and simple tunes and effects throughout, nothing impressive but doesn’t need to be. Mastery – 8/10 – Excellent use of the touch screen and duel screens, nice microphone functionality, couldn’t be done on any other system as effectively. Impressive handwriting recognition. Lifespan – 9/10 – Plenty to come back to, encourages you to want to play every day and doesn’t require masses of your time. Overall Score - 8.4/10 Reviewed By Bigbowser2 |
