Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!

 DS
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 64
  3. Negative: 9 out of 64
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  1. agentbinky
    Dec 1, 2022
    0
    If you are old and boring you will love this game. Good thing I am both. The entries in the series are mostly indistinguishable so you're better off going with the most recent adaptation.
  2. AJCk19
    Jul 12, 2021
    5
    DISCLAIMER: If you are going to play this game. Play it simply for fun. Because it will not increase your brain's ability. There was even a law suit over this.

    Other than that, yeah it is a fun game, but won't make you smarter or keep your brain healthy. If you want to keep your brain healthy, cardio exercise is the way to go. Also dedicate yourself within your field.
  3. storygamer
    Sep 1, 2020
    8
    Dr Kawashima`s Brain Training is more than a game. Its puzzles are challenging and motivating. Especially if you`re a fan of Sudoku, you will have a lot of fun. Very addictive!
  4. XV_
    Jul 20, 2019
    6
    Brain Age is entertaining at the very beginning, I was really into doing my brain age check (3 random exercises that put your brain to the test and depending on your skill it gives you a score), you can see results even the second day of your check, and that's kind of promising, the thing is that current studies say that still there's no real evidence that you gain something by playingBrain Age is entertaining at the very beginning, I was really into doing my brain age check (3 random exercises that put your brain to the test and depending on your skill it gives you a score), you can see results even the second day of your check, and that's kind of promising, the thing is that current studies say that still there's no real evidence that you gain something by playing this kind of games so lets you get that aside.

    Gameplay wise, the puzzles are fun at least when you start the game but they became repetitive really quickly, also I don't know if it was just me or my 3DS but I had a hard time when it came to registering my voice or writing letters, so at least a third of the puzzles malfunctioned on my "playthrough".

    It's hard to recommend Brain Age, its a game for quick plays and time passing, it starts fun but ends like a chore, kind of.    … Expand
  5. aditya1101
    Oct 6, 2017
    5
    this game makes me feel dumb :( ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  6. julianozuca
    Mar 6, 2012
    4
    To enjoy Brain Age you may have to learn to write again, and that almost reduces the entire experience to frustration.

    The Good: Nice ideas for an innovative dual screen use; good time comparing graphs and drawings with other users; sketching individual stamps is great; funny interaction with doctor Kawashima! Sudoku. The Bad: Sometimes it just can't recognize your handwriting, and    To enjoy Brain Age you may have to learn to write again, and that almost reduces the entire experience to frustration.

    The Good: Nice ideas for an innovative dual screen use; good time comparing graphs and drawings with other users; sketching individual stamps is great; funny interaction with doctor Kawashima! Sudoku.

    The Bad: Sometimes it just can't recognize your handwriting, and losing points for that is EXTREMELY frustrating; graphs are limited to one month per time, so you can't follow your progress in a long term; normal and hard modes are mixed in one graph, making your average fall when you try the hard mode.

    Good brain training programs, an overall delightful bright sound and the funny doctor's head floating around the screen don't keep Brain Age from being frustrating.
    The major problem here is the not-always-good handwriting recognizing system. Every now and then you'll find yourself scratching the screen here and there while watching the time going by without being understood; or being misunderstood, resulting in lost points anyway. In a nutshell, the pieces fall apart because of a structural defect.
    A little extra encouragement would have been nice too--like giving prizes for reaching higher age levels or completing sudoku--but it's not there. Add to that the disheartening mix between normal and hard modes in the graphs generation and we've got more problems than qualities.

    On the other hand some training programs like Low to High and Head Count and some tests from the brain age check feature like Connect Maze work pretty fine and are well-executed ideas, but that only sum up for a final disappointment feeling.

    In the end there's only a bitter taste in your mouth because it's easy to recognize a good opportunity wasted under technical issues.    … Expand
  7. Watermelon789
    Jul 25, 2011
    8
    Brain Age is like those game that came out of nowhere , and have a different scheme. Is lacking, not to many diversity , just finish to unlock all the content and nothing more. My big complain even if i enjoyed a lot , is that if you finished school and one of your families member gives you as a gift this game, please , is like having an insult.
  8. PhilG
    Jan 19, 2009
    5
    It is a decent time waster and a great way to keep your mind sharp.

    HOWEVER, expect the game to scold you to continue playing and don't think going into it you'll be given a reasonable score no matter how intelligent you believe yourself. Other problems are with the touch screen (as always) and the voice recognition...the game will not always recognize you giving the right    It is a decent time waster and a great way to keep your mind sharp.

    HOWEVER, expect the game to scold you to continue playing and don't think going into it you'll be given a reasonable score no matter how intelligent you believe yourself.

    Other problems are with the touch screen (as always) and the voice recognition...the game will not always recognize you giving the right answer, especially early on. I'm near convinced it does this to give you a low brain age score to keep you playing.

    Worth a try, not necessarily a buy.    … Expand
  9. JanneK.
    Jul 30, 2008
    8
    It keeps your brain sharp!
  10. WilliamT.
    Jan 28, 2008
    8
    Clever, addictive and a lot more fun than you might think.
  11. DJT
    Dec 15, 2007
    3
    Do you have a job? How about a significant other? A pet? Bills to pay? Other responsibilities that occupy a lot of your time? THEN DON'T BUY THIS GAME. Seriously... the last thing you want in your stressful life is a nagging video game scolding you when you haven't picked it up everyday since you bought it. Before you pick this one up... just understand the responsibilities Do you have a job? How about a significant other? A pet? Bills to pay? Other responsibilities that occupy a lot of your time? THEN DON'T BUY THIS GAME. Seriously... the last thing you want in your stressful life is a nagging video game scolding you when you haven't picked it up everyday since you bought it. Before you pick this one up... just understand the responsibilities surrounding this tite. Stick to Brain Academy.… Expand
  12. EvanB.
    Jul 22, 2007
    10
    This game is worth getting just for the Sudoku puzzles alone! The training is unlike any other DS game out there...I still go back to this one after months of having it unlike an adventure game that I have conquered! Great family game!
  13. StevenL.
    Jul 3, 2007
    9
    Excellent game... well worth the time and money.
  14. CazC.
    Jun 22, 2007
    4
    Don't bother buying this game unless you are really serious about having the time to sit down each day and do the same thing day after day to "train" your brain. You would think that you would descover more exciting things while playing but about the most thrilling thing is the game is being able to design your own stamp to mark off days that you have used the game. Also the fact Don't bother buying this game unless you are really serious about having the time to sit down each day and do the same thing day after day to "train" your brain. You would think that you would descover more exciting things while playing but about the most thrilling thing is the game is being able to design your own stamp to mark off days that you have used the game. Also the fact that when you say the doctor in the games name in the title screen he jumps.… Expand
  15. Eric
    Mar 30, 2007
    7
    Addiction at first, later boredom.
  16. Tracy
    Mar 22, 2007
    7
    This is a great game for those who have a little bit of time each day. For those who like to beat games or play for multiple hours at a time, like me, I wouldn't suggest buying this unless you have other time consuming games on hand.
  17. ShereeC.
    Feb 28, 2007
    6
    I got my brain age down from 70 to 20 in 2 weeks, after that there's nothing really else to do. Also the mic doesn't like the word 'blue' in the stroop test, resulting in some bad test results at first.
  18. DSAddict
    Feb 24, 2007
    8
    Be careful with this one, it isn't so much a 'Game'. So if you're not into Sudoku, math, reading aloud, drawing occasionally, don't get it. But if you are, do! it measures accurately and quickly, a great brain booster, it really works, just get it.
  19. BelénM.
    Jan 6, 2007
    10
    This game is cool. It's worth the time spent playing it.
  20. CodyK.
    Sep 25, 2006
    9
    The thing I like most about this game is that it only tracks your first scores for the tests each day. It encourages you to put it down, but keep playing everyday. I
  21. LukeR.
    Sep 20, 2006
    10
    If your buying this game for a brain teaser, then your getting exactly what you payed for. An easy 10 in the Brain teaser department!
  22. CarlosM.
    Sep 12, 2006
    10
    I used to be an avid gamer, but as a responsible adult I seldom find time, or enjoyment, in extensive video game adventures, but brain age is fun, fast, and so incredibly addictive, that my wife (yes you read that correctly) actually plays this game.
  23. Keltik
    Aug 23, 2006
    9
    This game is fun, it makes you smarter (I was once able to do Calculations x20 in almost 10 seconds), Sudoku is addictive, and it's fun for the whole family!
  24. CaitlinN.
    Aug 15, 2006
    10
    i love this game though the 20 minute penalty for a wrong answer on the sudoku games is rediculous.
  25. ManicMiner
    Jul 26, 2006
    9
    I bet the press reviewers who gave this game a low score, had a go and got their ego's bashed with a poor score :) This games interface is genius and makes the puzzles fun and the game hard to put down.
  26. CobyH.
    Jul 6, 2006
    10
    Playing this game is not a complete waste of time.
  27. RodM.
    Jun 14, 2006
    8
    The highly addictive package that taught me Sudoku and scolds me when I miss a day of brain training. Voice recognition and OCR are both a bit buggy (keep training until you are allowed to SELECT your favorite tests, then avoid the ones where the DS' scoring errors cost you points), but this is absolutely a gem. And at a bargain price, as well. "Big Brain Academy" is silly - this is The highly addictive package that taught me Sudoku and scolds me when I miss a day of brain training. Voice recognition and OCR are both a bit buggy (keep training until you are allowed to SELECT your favorite tests, then avoid the ones where the DS' scoring errors cost you points), but this is absolutely a gem. And at a bargain price, as well. "Big Brain Academy" is silly - this is the real deal. Can't wait for the sequel.… Expand
  28. DJ
    May 17, 2006
    10
    seriously... critics are d-bags. This game is fantastic simply because it isn't the next final fantasy 342134 or GT9 with explicit violence and hyper realistic graphics. For what it is, it's a fantastic way to stretch out your brain cells you just burned trying to understand why you care about a "hot coffee" mod. Buy it and give your brain a treat.
  29. JoshuaBrown
    Apr 21, 2006
    10
    The game we see here has alot of the public buzzing.Not only does the game train your brain it might also help the brain get over unhealthy problems.It also can help you think better.Think about this,the faster the brain goes,the more it can hold,thus giving a uncheating way to score a hundred on a test.I don't know if thinking faster can help you hold more in your brain,but I knowThe game we see here has alot of the public buzzing.Not only does the game train your brain it might also help the brain get over unhealthy problems.It also can help you think better.Think about this,the faster the brain goes,the more it can hold,thus giving a uncheating way to score a hundred on a test.I don't know if thinking faster can help you hold more in your brain,but I know this for sure,It is cheap.It is only $20.00.To tell you you the truth JV,I hate G4TV when they call this game "crap"
    ,because it isn't.I love this game and as Discovery would always say "entertain the brain".    … Expand
  30. adil
    Apr 20, 2006
    9
    Your first reaction after taking the Brain Age test or playing Training test would likely be : that's it?? So few questions? But aha, this is where the main distinction of TYB shines : it's not meant to be traditional game where you expect to play at 1 hr spans traversing huge levels : it's a non-game instead but a very downright addicting one at that. Only the 1st score Your first reaction after taking the Brain Age test or playing Training test would likely be : that's it?? So few questions? But aha, this is where the main distinction of TYB shines : it's not meant to be traditional game where you expect to play at 1 hr spans traversing huge levels : it's a non-game instead but a very downright addicting one at that. Only the 1st score recorded for the day is stored - preventing you from scoring higher (in Memory Game for sure!) through familiarity of repeated playing. But it works and as it should be : instant scoring at first try - no honing your memory skills by playing warm-up rounds - what you score is a true representative of the state of alertness and mind when you sit for the test on each day. But as the previous reviewer said : the game really comes alive when shared with a few people. After a few days it will get darn competitive and you feel the pressure and heat constantly ON to outdo the competition. And I am a Sudoku freak. This beats the LCD Sudoku currently on the market hands-down with the ability to write small notes. Just the way Sudoku should be played. Another showpiece title for DS without a doubt.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best DS Game of 2006
6
#6 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006
40
#40 Most Shared DS Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 58 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 58
  3. Negative: 1 out of 58
  1. G4 TV
    60
    Although Brain Training asks you to figure out increasingly intricate problems in a short amount of time, there's something quite relaxing about the whole thing. Not worth full price, since there are only nine different games to play here, but definitely a fun time-waster. [JPN Import]
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  2. GamerFeed
    80
    I'm not sure whether my brain's actually benefiting from this special treatment, but I do know that Brain Age is fun to mess around with for several minutes a day.
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  3. Modojo
    60
    Brain Age is a decently amusing distraction, but without the fun and variation of the minigames found in "Big Brain Academy" and with many questions about the actual impact the training has on your brain, its tough to recommend the software too highly.
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