Brain Boost: Beta Wave

 DS
Metascore
39

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 10 out of 12
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  1. GameSpy
    60
    Unfortunately, the decision to split things across two titles makes each game feel like an overpriced demo, proving the old adage that the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.
  2. Game Informer
    60
    If you’re going to get one of these, go for the faster-paced Beta Wave, but watch out for that nasty addition game. [Feb. 2007, p.111]
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  3. IGN
    45
    The Brain Boost games ride the success of Big Brain Academy and Brain Age, but fail to actually understand why they were successful to begin with. And that's just not smart.
  5. Gamers' Temple
    45
    The game selection in each is pretty thin at five games, and to top it off none of them are particularly entertaining. Odds are that you’ll just play through them all a couple of times and be done with it. The lack of any kind of detailed feedback or progress tracking means there’s little motivation to keep playing beyond that.
  6. GameZone
    44
    Brain Boost feels very thrown together in general. Every aspect of the title, from the graphics to the sound to the storyline, seems poorly done. If you see Brain Boost: Beta Wave on the store shelf, pass it on by - your brain will thank you.
  7. GamesRadar+
    40
    But, if you're buying this game because you honestly think it's going to make you smarter, it won't. And if you're buying this game because you actually think it's going to be fun, it isn't. That's really the bottom line.
  8. GamePro
    40
    Also disappointing was the lack of any head-to-head or multi-player functionality; there's no unlockable content, either. The games themselves are monotonous and don't really instill you with a need to play them repeatedly.
  9. Yahoo!
    30
    For the price you'll pay for both these games -- which is what you'll need to do if you want a half-decent selection of activities -- you could buy the far superior "Brain Age." Or, for that matter, you could buy just about any of the other genuinely good games on the DS, and pass over this cash-in altogether.
  10. VideoGamer
    30
    While Brain Training still clearly continues to rule the brain-boosting roost, there is no reason why a few more decent mental agility games shouldn't come along to challenge its title.
  11. Digital Entertainment News
    20
    If you buy either of these games, you DO need a brain boost.
  12. 1UP
    20
    And while it's true that every brain training game is probably assisted with a healthy dose of pseudoscience, it's Brain Boost that shows its seams the most. And because of that, Brain Boost feels the most condescending.
  13. Nintendo Gamer
    15
    At 20 quid for five distractions that might keep you busy for 30 seconds, it's overpriced.[Apr 2007, p.60]
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Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best DS Game of 2006
52
#52 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
2.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 3 out of 4
  1. JasonH.
    Aug 12, 2007
    0
    I bought this game tragically mistaking it for brain age or brain acadamy. It's really really really horrible. This game has a mere five I bought this game tragically mistaking it for brain age or brain acadamy. It's really really really horrible. This game has a mere five challenges, with no incentive to complete them at all. The makers of this game decided to infuse a crappy storyline as well as split it into two titles, which seems to be all the rage now days (the second title being gamma wave) The game also seems to contradict itself with it's child like story, simpleness and presentation while containing a game that is virtually impossible to beat. I had it for two days, desperately trying to like it, but it unfortunately it gets old the moment you beat the other four games (which are extremely easy) and get stuck on the adding game.… Full Review »
  2. LaurenR.
    Apr 14, 2007
    0
    So not worth it. Please do not buy it. It is a waste of money. There are only 5 games and there are 4 levels. My mom has a masters degree in So not worth it. Please do not buy it. It is a waste of money. There are only 5 games and there are 4 levels. My mom has a masters degree in math and she can't even do level 4. Level four addition is literally impossible. You have five seconds to add like 15 numbers (correct me if I'm wrong). I really want a refund.… Full Review »
  3. MatthewR.
    Apr 2, 2007
    9
    I purchased Brain Boost beta wave not too long ago and I have a good opinion of it. Graphics and Storyline are lame, but that's not the I purchased Brain Boost beta wave not too long ago and I have a good opinion of it. Graphics and Storyline are lame, but that's not the focus of the game. Reading the instruction manual, it says that you will see a noticeable increase in brain development after consistently doing the exercises for three months, and no one really has the motivation or discipline to do just that. When you actually get down to it, this game has something the other Nintendo Brain Games do not - Difficulty Factor. I have a well above average I.Q. and I have trouble doing the addition on level 1 at 100% consistently. Add in a race against the clock with bonus points for every second left, that clock giving only 5 seconds, and you have an incredibly difficult time achieving high scores. Given my disposition for self improvement I find this game highly frustrating in it's difficulty, and that alone is a cause for addiction to eliminate that frustration with work. All in all I think the negative reviews are just by lazy people who don't wish to appreciate the beauty or satisfaction of doing and completing something as difficult as this game is in the higher levels. Do you have what it takes?… Full Review »
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