I've been playing the game for almost 3 weeks now, and personally find this game to be really awesome! As a player of the US versions (Brain Age & Brain age Concentration training), it makes me sad that this did not get a release over here. Lukily, the switch is region free, so the game works great on my existing console.
As one that's been following this series for a while, I'd like to provide tips for people playing the game and what they would expect for getting this title. First however, a little background:
A long time ago, my mom got the original Brain Age DS for my birthday on 2008. It was my first experience playing with the DS in general, and it was a great way to introduce the stylus & microphone abilities! Because of this, the brain age (as they call it in the US) series has had a soft spot in my heart for a while. My favorite games in the series were always the calculations x 20 & 100. Later on I decided to get Brain age: concentration training for Nintendo 3DS. It was really challenging for me, specifically the working memory exercises. This leaves me here today with the switch version you're probably curious about. Many years ago, I have managed to get a brain age score of 20 on the original DS version. Getting closer in this variant, my best score as of right now is 27.
## MAJOR NOTES!
* Some people in the reviews are complaining about the included stylus not working really well. Nintendo thought about this already in a software update a while back actually, by providing a setting which increases touchscreen sensitivity. You can enable this by going to System Settings -> Controllers and Sensors -> Touch-Screen Sensitivity. You can also test the touch screen from here as well
* 90% of this game relies on handheld mode. Daily brain training does not work in docked mode. If you are the owner of a switch lite, you'll also need a Right joycon, the one with an infrared camera for some games. It's *mandatory* because the brain age check randomizes the games, with one of them being rock-paper scissors.
## Design
If you compared DS Brain age to this switch version, you can tell the people making the game have learned a ton about designing a game like this from that perspective alone. Versus the graphics of the DS, the switch is basically no contest.
Graphics aside, the way the game gently guides you through the ideal experience is very smart.
* As your playing training games, it always sorts games by most recently played. This is in contrast to concentration training where it labels a single favorite, and the DS brainage not having any sorting to begin with, just being a static list.
* The game is gentle with the amount of games someone wants to play per-day. From playing with it, it asks the player about stopping after about 3 minigames, which is a good amount. Being little I always thought it would be good to play them all, but this is a good reminder to keep your mind relaxed. That and you're always welcome to play more
## Brain age check
This version of the brain age check is probably top-tier in my opinion. Compared to previous titles, it shows exactly how your score was graded by splitting the grade into 3 categories: processing speed, self-control and short-term memory. With this I learned that I'm really bad ad short-term memory in general, and I'm trying to improve it outside the game
A hidden feature of the original brain age was the ability to select the exercises you want based on those categories (though they didn't really specify what those were back then). They don't include this here, but personally, I prefer that they didn't because that is most likely how I got my brain age of 20 back then by just picking favorites. Therefore results were probably skewed.
## Training Games
I see many games that were originally from the first brain age, some from brain age 2 and even some new original ones (specifically hand-gesture ones). If you haven't played the first brain age or the others in the series, this is a set of games you will really enjoy. They've personally stood the test of time in my opinion and they feel great re-mastered with the giant display the switch has.
Handwriting recognition for this game compared to the others is ever so slightly not as good as the DS variants, however:
1. it is possible to write just as fast as previous titles. In fact, I can just about match what I used to do 14 years ago.
2. Again, Nintendo has a setting that can be toggled that increases sensitivity
From playing previous titles, I'd give number recognition a B+ and english letters a B. I would probably give Brain age concentration training the highest grade for number recognition with it being an A, but the original brain age comes very close
## Theme
This is probably the part where I trash on concentration training a little XP
This version doesn't have a "theme" to it per-say like concentration training where one would partake in "Devilish training". I thought the concept was pretty funny when I first played it, but I think it's something that could probably stop someone from even buying the game in the first place if they don't like the idea of a "hardmode" game per-say. Being: "if it looks hard, it must be hard."
The sound design for Concentration training is definitely a step-up from the ds verisons, but I think psychologically it's a bit over-the-top, specifically when it comes to making progress in minigames. Probably just me, I personally prefer the layed-back tones of the switch game and DS original, probably because it doesn't pressure you in one direction or another.
The switch version doesn't have voice acting, but it in-turn provides a much quicker experience to simply start playing the game over listening to the voice actor, which tends to be much slower.
Generally, it feels like this brain age has returned to it's roots in terms of it's theming and sound design. Very much feels nostalgic to the DS version.
## Stamps
They must have figured out everyone liked that loud stamp sound in the first game... and the action of stamping itself. This time they make you stamp every time you complete a game, which is fun XD
## Online
This game is unique in that you get to compete online with others every weekend! (...or friday if you're in NA) Nothing too crazy to say here, but it's neat to see how you stack up with other players. I happen to be that rare American flag in a sea of european and japan, so that's also pretty interesting
The game also supports sending emails about the previous day's stats, which is a first in a game accessible to NA (...I think there may have been something similar in concentration training in japan)
## Misc
* In regards to the three categories the game game checks for (short-term memory, processing, self-control), probably my sole major complaint for this game is that they lack short-term memory exercises in the brain-training section. Those tend to be the hardest for me in the brain age check, and improving on those is probably going to require me to use things outside the game... or perhaps me going back and playing concentration training for 3ds XP
* If you get the physical game, it comes with a really great stylus! Probably one of the best I've used, but that's probably because all the ones I've ever used for tablets were dirt cheap. Great value in my opinion and can do handwriting very well.
## Overall
From playing some other titles, this feels like a really good compilation of all the good things from previous brain age games. It also has it's own new games & features that make it stand out. If you're new to the series or just really enjoy it in an unhealthy manner like myself (....I wrote a lot here XP), this is a great one to add to a collection. It's also inexpensive compared to the frankly ridiculous prices Nintendo has been making folks shell out for other titles like Mario Kart... or an old game like NSMBU or skyward sword.
To me this feels like a game that should have been released in the USA, it's my first game overseas and I've really been enjoying it. Personally... I think you will too!
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
A variety of challenges
Test your skills with an assortment of exercises and tests in different play styles, such as holding your Nintendo Switch console vertically and using a stylus or your finger, or by using the right Joy-Con’s IR Motion Camera. Let’s take a look at some of them that you’ll find in the game:
- Finger Calculations: Solve maths problems. Even if you know the answer in your head, you’ll need to react quickly!
- Rock, Paper, Scissors: Try to win – and lose – using your hands in rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
- Word Scramble: Combine letters to form words.
- Photographic Memory: Remember the photo previously displayed.
- Dual Task: Leap over hurdles while choosing the biggest number.
… And more!
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
CHALLENGE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! |
CLASSIC AND NEW EXERCISES! |
INCLUDES NINTENDO SWITCH STYLUS! |
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
3:40
Click to play video
Great set of daily brain training games
Mark J Draper
Reviews with images
Same as Brain Age for Nintendo DS
Loved that it had the stylus inside with the game. Same as Brian Age game for Nintendo DS. Super cool and super fun!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2022
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2023
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2023
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2021
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2022
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Loved that it had the stylus inside with the game. Same as Brian Age game for Nintendo DS. Super cool and super fun!
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2023
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023
Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
just as i expected
Reviewed in Canada on April 16, 2022Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
C.L.
Ejercicios mentales.
Reviewed in Mexico on July 7, 2021Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
josefa
Le encanta a mi nina
Reviewed in Spain on January 16, 2022Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
EmaMemy
Ottimo gioco in italiano
Reviewed in Italy on September 24, 2021Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
JANTZEN adeline
Jeu en français et conforme
Reviewed in France on December 29, 2020Platform: Nintendo SwitchEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
