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Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day

(2006, Video Games - Puzzle, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Get sharp with this fun, smart game for families.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Because this software appeals to both kids and adults, it's a fun way for families to play together.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

Parents need to know that this educational game asks players to do math problems, read out loud, count syllables in passages, and memorize numbers and their location on the screen. Since math calculations are tested, kids need to know their multiplication and division facts before playing. Some of the mental games rely on voice and handwriting recognition technology, which don't always work correctly. This software appeals to both kids and adults, making it a fun way for families to play together.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about whether playing mental games makes your brain smarter. Are you learning to use your mind better or simply mastering the games presented? Also, families may want to discuss Professor Kawashima's theory that doing short mental exercises every day keeps brains sharp. Is this game something you need to do every day?
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More on Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day

What’s the Story?

BRAIN AGE challenges players with a variety of Mini games that provide a mental workout. Some of the activities include doing math problems, reading out loud, counting syllables in passages, and memorizing numbers and their location on the screen. The game keeps score of each Mini game and uses that data to show players whether their "brain age" is improving. The software keeps track of whether players play every day, slowly reveals its content over days of playing, and rewards each day's playing with a sticker on a calendar. Close

Is It Any Good?

Family members, or up to 16 friends, can wirelessly compete in a game of 30 math calculations to see who can solve them the fastest. This competition requires additional Nintendo DS units but only one software cartridge. Players write their answers on the DS's touch screen. Our testers found that the handwriting recognition software was good but not great.

Brain Age makes mental workouts easy because it takes just a few minutes a day. And having Sudoku puzzles to play during down times is extra motivation to stick your Nintendo DS into your backpack, purse, or briefcase every day. Overall, this software appeals to both kids and adults, making it a fun way for families to play together.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 04/23/2006, price $19.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E

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See all 19 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Safety isn't an issue

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    It's a good game

    It gets people smarter. I can read at 9.8 syllables per second. Under 6 is not age appropriate because THEY'LL GET MOST THINGS WRONG!!!! Give it for people 7 and over. I also have poor "Counting Heads" skills, but I'm 12 years, 8 months and 28 days old, so that makes me in ADOLESCENCE, and I am no longer a child, but not yet an adult. Sorry for going off the topic, but It's a good game. My "Least to Greatest" skills are getting better.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    Good Game

    This game isn't my favorite but I really enjoy the suduko and overall it helped me get better at math, which I'm terrible at.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Brain Age Is Great

    Brain age is a fun game that teachs you a lot of important stuff. Yes i know it's crazy to say that learning is fun but in this game it really is

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    S'okay

    Its fun at first but once u unlock everything its boring. I like sudoku.

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