Mind games
This week let me begin with a slightly awkward confession. Last weekend I spent around two and a half hours giving a written entrance examination at the Birkbeck College here in London.
(If you’re wondering where you’ve heard that name before, you are probably a frequent listener of Melvyn Bragg’s excellent In Our Time radio show and podcast. In Bragg’s weekly show, he assembles a cast of scholars and experts to discuss topics of historical and contemporary relevance. Recent topics have included the Taipin Rebellion in China, and the Neutrino. Gripping stuff. Often his experts are faculty at Birkbeck.)
The ‘e’ quotient: There are several great online mind games available.
A little after 1pm on a cold, grey summer morning I shuffled into a room with another 23 applicants, out of some 35 who’d paid £17.50 (around Rs1,300) for the privilege of having their “IQ” measured by the British Mensa organization. “Usually a lot of people don’t turn up for these tests,” said an entirely amiable-looking woman, the test administrator, with a mildly apologetic tone. The exam comprised two sections: the first, only sequences of symbols, and the second, questions mostly on English language usage.After the exam anyone who ranked in the top 2% of the population would be invited to join Mensa, a worldwide organization of approximately 100,000 high IQ individuals.
Also read | Sidin Vadukut’s earlier articles
As you might expect, the organization comes in for a lot of derision online and in the media. People think it is elitist, snobbish and flawed. Many dismiss the idea of IQ tests as fundamentally meaningless.
I ended up going for the test because of two reasons. First of all, I admit sheepishly that I like these kinds of things. The tests are essentially puzzles involving math and pattern recognition (you have no right to laugh at me if you do Sudoku puzzles). What a great way to spend a weekend afternoon that I would have otherwise spent tweeting. And second, I had somehow stumbled across the addictive Mensa iPhone app.
The puzzle/brainteaser genre of gaming has taken off stupendously over the last few years. I reckon that the tipping point was a series of Nintendo DS games called Brain Age that were first launched in Japan in May 2005. The game was developed in association with a Japanese neuroscientist called Ryuta Kawashima, and claimed, though not overtly with any scientific proof, that playing the game keeps the brain active and “young”.
Nintendo Ds Brain Age - News
I reckon that the tipping point was a series of Nintendo DS games called Brain Age that were first launched in Japan in May 2005 This week let me begin with a slightly awkward confession. Last weekend I spent around two and a half hours giving a
“With Nintendo DS, because it was introducing a new play style with the touchscreen and stylus, we felt there was a need to introduce that to a broader audience,” with casual games like Brain Age , Miyamoto said. “3DS is more focused on bringing
The next evolution of virtual pets will come to the Nintendo DS™ family of handheld systems this holiday season when Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) releases Wappy Dog, a toy puppy, developed by SEGA TOYS, that interacts with the player
Wired's Chris Kohler kicked off by asking about the 3DS' lack of casual-focused titles at E3 this year, given the DS' success with titles like Brain Age. Miyamoto replied, "We actually made Nintendogs before we made Mario -- which is kind of a strange
I'll be also keeping tabs on my Brain Age: Sudoku and I'll probably dust off some Super Mario Galaxy 2 if I'm up for it. It's been a while since I've played so I'm sure I'll be checking that out again. I think I may also take a peek at Kirby's Dream
Nintendo DS Lite Limited Edition Ice Blue with Brain Age Review ...
Nintendo have done it again with a second new release this week to a carefully targeted segment of game players. The Nintendo DS Lite Limited Edition Ice Blue with Brain Age is clearly aimed at an audience interested in calm intellectual stimulation rather than the usual combat style game.
For those who need a break from the running, jumping, and general mayhem of a Super Mario game, Nintendo have brought out another limited edition bundle in the form of Ice Blue Nintendo DS Lite. Needless to say, it looks really ‘cool’ and will be widely welcomed by those feeling a little jaded by the endless demands of slaughtering demons, monsters and sundry foes.
This version of the Nintendo DS Lite extends the range of colors available with an icy, almost metallic hue. Clearly gender neutral, the Ice Blue console will appeal to both sexes, across all age ranges. From a marketing standpoint, it looks like a good choice. Moreover, the hue is likely to have special appeal to those wanting a calm activity and have little need to express vengeful wrath.
The game which is included – Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! – has been inspired by the research of a prominent Japanese neuro scientist, and provides a variety of mental activities in the form of mini games. For instance, these include simple yet challenging math problems, picture drawing, counting, and observation games.
Brain Age requires you to take an initial test to determine your ‘brain age’ and your score is expected to drop as you participate in the activities offered. Your result can be compared with those of others if you don’t mind competition and being surpassed by 10 yr olds!
Those who especially enjoy competition can play up to 16 opponents to see who is able to solve problems the fastest.
The console itself will give up to 19 hours of continuous game play on one charge. As well, it has the highly regarded extra bright dual LCD screens, which offer crisp colors with good contrast, as well as a touch screen.
Like others in the DS Lite family, the Ice Blue Nintendo DS Lite has the standard features, which include very impressive 3D rendered graphics, stereo sound, and the ability to play a wide assortment of portable games from any genre. Using this product with a headset and microphone opens up many possibilities to chat over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to an international audience, as well as use voice control over games.
Nintendo DS Lite Crimson & Black with Brain Age 2: Includes one unique Nintendo Crimson/Black DS, Brain Age 2: M... 
is the game Brain Age: train your brain in minutes a day (nintendo ds) any good? 
Playing brain age on 's nintendo ds!
LOL. Because a true gamer totally plays some brain age game on Nintendo DS. Right. Ahaha.Nintendo Ds Brain Age - Bookshelf
The Anti-Alzheimer's Prescription, The Science-Proven Prevention Plan to Start at Any Age
This is a challenge for your brain! Living in the Big Brain Age Nintendo DS games Brain Age and Brain Age 2 (www.brainage.com/. ...GameAxis Unwired
Nintendo, wanting to wish the President a happy birthday, gave him a Nintendo DS . And a copy of Brain Age. Lord knows if anyone could use it, ...GameAxis Unwired
Text by Jason Woo Lite Fun You know what they said about the Nintendo DS and how ... Thirdly, Brain Age uses the voice recognition function of the DS rather ...Brain Age, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!
The Book of Games Volume 2, The Ultimate Reference on PC & Video Games
... New Super Mario Bros., DS Brain Age, Animal Crossing: Wild World, and Tetris DS. ... The Nintendo DS sold an impressive 8.8 million hardware units, ...Complete Information Directory
Brain Age
Official site for the puzzle video game Brain Age for Nintendo DS, created by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, activities include performing math problems, counting people going in and out of a house, drawing pictures, and reading classic literature out loud.
| Nintendo - Customer Service | Nintendo DS - Assistance with ...
Brain Age is designed exclusively for use on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite. ... Brain Age is inspired by the research of Dr. Kawashima, a neuroscientist whose studies ...
Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! at Nintendo ...
Visit Nintendo's Official Site to find great games for you and your family. Search, ... Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day for Nintendo DS is a fun, rewarding ...
Brain Age : What Is Brain Age?
Brain Age: Train your brain in minutes a day. Improve your DS Brain Age using simple exercises that stimulate your brain.
Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! - Wikipedia ...
Brain Age is played with the Nintendo DS held sideways. Brain Age is designed to be ... The Nintendo DS is held on its side, with the touch screen on the ...