Brain Challenge
Encyclopedia
Brain Challenge is a mental exercise
video game similar to Big Brain Academy
, featuring "brain exercise puzzles". The game was developed by GameLoft
for mobile phones and iPods
and released on September 5, 2007. It was followed by a Nintendo DS
version on January 8, 2008, an Xbox Live Arcade
release on March 12, 2008, and a PlayStation 3
launch on November 27, 2008. The N-Gage 2.0 version was released on the day of the service's launch, April 3, 2008. A version for WiiWare
was released in Japan on October 14, 2008, in Europe on November 7, 2008 and in North America on November 10, 2008. The Wii version also uses Mii
s for the players profile. OnLive
also had launched their new streaming game platform with Brain Challenge on July 27, 2010. On January 20, 2011, the game was released for Mac OS X
.
Many of the puzzles are similar to those from both Big Brain Academy
and Brain Age
. For example, Balance shows different objects on scales, and the player must determine from the relationships on the scales which is the heaviest object. In the Trout Route test, the player must follow a path based on the progressive numerical relationship given (i.e. +2, -3, etc.) Travelling requires the player to memorize a route of arrows, while Ascending has the player determining the order of a group of objects from least to most in amount. Bouncing Ball has the player determining as quick as possible which ball bounces highest.
The XBLA, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo DS versions also feature additional modes:
, while the Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and OnLive
versions features up to four player offline and online Xbox Live
multiplayer, as well as online leaderboards. The mobile phone version also features an online leaderboard.
for the wireless version, which praised, "[the] majority of the puzzles are good and the production values are strong." Pocket Gamer raved about the iPod version in its 8 of 10 review, glowing, "It's almost a no-brainer to recommend Brain Challenge. It's enjoyable, invigorating and there's a remarkable amount [of gameplay] in it." iLounge's A- review of the iPod version also applauded, "It’s just as smart of an offering for this platform as Brain Age was for Nintendo’s."
IGN's review for the Nintendo DS version was less enthusiastic (7.5/10), but still singled out the Stress Test as an innovative twist to the brain exercise game formula, as was its review of the Xbox Live Arcade version (7.2/10), though it did mention, "There's quite a bit of depth to Brain Challenge...Making your way through Brain Challenge could take a very, very long time." DS Fanboy's review was more generous with an 8/10 review, and while calling it "an odd little game", it praised, "Lots of replay value, interesting unlockables, and loads of content make up for the title's flaws."
Team Xbox panned the Xbox Live Arcade version, saying, "It doesn’t take a whole lot of brain power to figure out that this is one title best left on the shelf," in its 4/10 review. GameSpot's
negative review (5.5/10) stated, "...Only a handful of these stand-alone minigames resemble anything of interest."
Another sequel, "Brain Challenge 3: Think Again!", was released by Gameloft for mobile, iPod Touch, iPhone in September 2009.
Mental exercise
Mental exercise is the act of performing a mentally stimulating task that is considered beneficial to warding off Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This practice is accepted by many cultures worldwide...
video game similar to Big Brain Academy
Big Brain Academy
Big Brain Academy, known in Japan as , is a puzzle video game published and developed by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It was first released in Japan on June 30, 2005, and was later released in North America on June 5, 2006, in Australia on July 5, 2006, and in Europe on...
, featuring "brain exercise puzzles". The game was developed by GameLoft
Gameloft
Gameloft SA is a major French computer and video game developer and publisher headquartered in Paris, France. The company also has subsidiaries in 31 countries around the world....
for mobile phones and iPods
IPod games
An iPod click wheel game or iPod game is a video game playable on the various versions of the Apple portable media player, the iPod. The original iPod had the game Brick included as an easter egg hidden feature; later firmware versions added it as a menu option...
and released on September 5, 2007. It was followed by a Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
version on January 8, 2008, an Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
release on March 12, 2008, and a PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
launch on November 27, 2008. The N-Gage 2.0 version was released on the day of the service's launch, April 3, 2008. A version for WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
was released in Japan on October 14, 2008, in Europe on November 7, 2008 and in North America on November 10, 2008. The Wii version also uses Mii
Mii
A is a digital avatar used in Nintendo's Wii and Nintendo 3DS gaming consoles. They allow users to capture a likeness of themselves and others. After creating one using the Wii's Mii Channel or the Nintendo 3DS's Mii Maker, they can be used as playable characters in various titles for the...
s for the players profile. OnLive
OnLive
OnLive is a cloud gaming platform: the games are synchronized, rendered, and stored on remote servers and delivered via the Internet.The service is available using the OnLive Game System, PCs running Microsoft Windows and Intel-based Macs with OS X 10.5.8 or later...
also had launched their new streaming game platform with Brain Challenge on July 27, 2010. On January 20, 2011, the game was released for Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
.
Gameplay
The game is also structured like Big Brain Academy in that puzzles are divided into four separate categories: Logic, Math, Visual, and Focus; the Xbox Live Arcade version, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Nintendo DS and PC add a fifth category, Memory. The puzzles can be played at three difficulty levels, and more complex puzzles are unlocked through a player's progression through the game.Many of the puzzles are similar to those from both Big Brain Academy
Big Brain Academy
Big Brain Academy, known in Japan as , is a puzzle video game published and developed by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It was first released in Japan on June 30, 2005, and was later released in North America on June 5, 2006, in Australia on July 5, 2006, and in Europe on...
and Brain Age
Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!
Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!, also known as Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? in PAL regions, is an entertainment video game that employs puzzles. It was developed and published by the video gaming company Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console...
. For example, Balance shows different objects on scales, and the player must determine from the relationships on the scales which is the heaviest object. In the Trout Route test, the player must follow a path based on the progressive numerical relationship given (i.e. +2, -3, etc.) Travelling requires the player to memorize a route of arrows, while Ascending has the player determining the order of a group of objects from least to most in amount. Bouncing Ball has the player determining as quick as possible which ball bounces highest.
Game modes
The game features two modes:- Test: the difficulty level automatically adjusts throughout the game based on performance.
- Free Training (Training Room on the XBLA version): Allows the player to select exercises of their choice at three available levels (Easy, Medium, Hard).
The XBLA, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo DS versions also feature additional modes:
- Creative (available on PS3 with an add-on pack): A relaxing mode in which the player can doodle drawings or shoot fireworks.
- Stress: A more stressful test mode than the basic Test mode, which adds distracting noises and visuals, such as forcing the player to do two disparate actions at once, or dealing with distracting images or insects on the screen.*Also on the PlayStation 3.*
- Kid mode (available on PS3 with an add-on pack): A multiplayer mode that allows younger players to play.
- Personal coach: A user-selected AI coach that accompanies the player through various modes.
- Brain charts: Detailed stats and graphs tracking past gameplay.
Multiplayer
The Nintendo DS version supports up to three player multiplayer via the Nintendo Wi-Fi ConnectionNintendo Wi-Fi Connection
The is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop, and Nintendo eShop game download services...
, while the Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and OnLive
OnLive
OnLive is a cloud gaming platform: the games are synchronized, rendered, and stored on remote servers and delivered via the Internet.The service is available using the OnLive Game System, PCs running Microsoft Windows and Intel-based Macs with OS X 10.5.8 or later...
versions features up to four player offline and online Xbox Live
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
multiplayer, as well as online leaderboards. The mobile phone version also features an online leaderboard.
Reception
The mobile phone and iPod versions were very well received, including an 8.3/10 from IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
for the wireless version, which praised, "[the] majority of the puzzles are good and the production values are strong." Pocket Gamer raved about the iPod version in its 8 of 10 review, glowing, "It's almost a no-brainer to recommend Brain Challenge. It's enjoyable, invigorating and there's a remarkable amount [of gameplay] in it." iLounge's A- review of the iPod version also applauded, "It’s just as smart of an offering for this platform as Brain Age was for Nintendo’s."
IGN's review for the Nintendo DS version was less enthusiastic (7.5/10), but still singled out the Stress Test as an innovative twist to the brain exercise game formula, as was its review of the Xbox Live Arcade version (7.2/10), though it did mention, "There's quite a bit of depth to Brain Challenge...Making your way through Brain Challenge could take a very, very long time." DS Fanboy's review was more generous with an 8/10 review, and while calling it "an odd little game", it praised, "Lots of replay value, interesting unlockables, and loads of content make up for the title's flaws."
Team Xbox panned the Xbox Live Arcade version, saying, "It doesn’t take a whole lot of brain power to figure out that this is one title best left on the shelf," in its 4/10 review. GameSpot's
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
negative review (5.5/10) stated, "...Only a handful of these stand-alone minigames resemble anything of interest."
Sequel
A sequel, Brain Challenge Vol. 2: Stress Management, was released by Gameloft for mobile phones in 2008.Another sequel, "Brain Challenge 3: Think Again!", was released by Gameloft for mobile, iPod Touch, iPhone in September 2009.
See also
- Brain AgeBrain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!, also known as Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? in PAL regions, is an entertainment video game that employs puzzles. It was developed and published by the video gaming company Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console...
and Brain Age 2 - Brain BoostBrain BoostBrain Boost, also known as The Professor's Brain Trainer in Australia and Europe, is a series of three brain-training games developed by Interchannel for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. Brain Boost was originally released in 2005 in Japan...
- English Training: Have Fun Improving Your Skills!
- Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a DayFlash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a DayFlash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day is a Touch! Generations puzzle video game developed by Namco Bandai and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console...
- Minna de Kitaeru Zenno TrainingMinna de Kitaeru Zenno Trainingis an arcade game released only in Japan by Namco Bandai Games on December 21, 2006.-Introduction:This game, like Brain Age, was supervised by Professor Ryuta Kawashima of Tohoku University. It uses the Rewritable Stage arcade cabinet...
- Professor Kageyama's Maths Training The Hundred Cell Calculation Method