Brain training
Writing about web page http://www.cabel.name/2006/01/on-brain-training.html
Cabel Sasser writes insightfully about a new game for the Nintendo DS called Brain Training. Actually, I say "game" but I'm not sure if that's really the right word; it's a way of using your handheld console to do mental exercises.
What's slightly surprising is not that such a thing should exist but that it seems, in Japan at least to have been a runaway success – it sold nearly half a million copies in a single week, and has been the best-selling game in Japan since Christmas. As Cabel observes:-
Most importantly, though, Brain Training is doing what Nintendo said they would do but nobody really believed them on: opened gaming up to a whole new generation of players. Seeing grandmothers on the train holding their Nintendo DS like a book sends an instant signal — "brain training in progress".
I'm looking forward to the US release of this so I can try it for myself (and hooray for non-region-locked devices!).
(As an aside, Cabel's blog is a thing of beauty; look at the subtle glow effects when you mouse over the "About" link, and the elegant pop-up you get when you click on it. Very nice.)
John Dale
25 Jan 2006 11:04
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Tags: Games Links
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It sounds tenuously comparable to the epidemic of Su Doku here…
25 Jan 2006, 12:58
It's been a success in Japan because… they like that sort of thing.
There is a UK release of Brain Training in the Spring, from what I know. There's also Animal Crossing being brought over around the same time, which is a bigger threat to people's free times than Nintendogs (which to be honest hasn't captured my imagination). Nintendo are starting to bring the "Japanesey" games over, hopefully games like Daigasso and Ouendan will follow.
26 Jan 2006, 00:31
Owain
The DS titles have indeed come out in the UK, and been reviewed too. (There are multiple titles in the series)
Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training:
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/Dr+Kawashima’s+Brain+Training/review.asp?c=1174
Big Brain Academy:
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/Big+Brain+Academy/review.asp?c=1257
Here’s a good one for mobile phones, if you don’t own a DS:
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Brain+Genius/review.asp?c=2161
Hope this helps!
best
Owain
18 Feb 2007, 16:07
Owain
Hmm, something up with those links—you’ll need to copy and paste over the full URL to see the reviews!
18 Feb 2007, 16:08
Haha, necromancy or what?
I’ve since bought both games, I think BBA is slightly better than BT. Not many can beat me on Calculations x 20!
18 Feb 2007, 23:49
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