Nintendo Keeps Wits and Reflexes Sharp 73
PreacherTom writes "While not definitively proven, the concept that video games can stave off mental degradation in the elderly is gaining favor. 'Nintendo ... boast[s] that Brain Age was developed with the help of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a respected Japanese neuroscientist whose face pops up at the start of every game. Kawashima believes brains can be kept young and nimble through the rapid repetition of simple mental challenges. The game is wildly popular in Japan, and 4 million copies have been sold worldwide since Brain Age was introduced 15 months ago.'"
Just another reason to buy Nintendo... (Score:1, Redundant)
Eh (Score:2, Insightful)
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Whored articles on
Brain Age (Score:4, Funny)
Why is this so surprising??? (Score:5, Interesting)
For crying out loud! Even Ronald Reagan thought during his presidency that the continual hand/eye coordination and quick thinking that were necessary with video games were good at keeping kids mentally alert! That fact that this dates back to RR means that this is 20 year old information. (Yeah, yeah, I know that he was a republican and therefore a target for knee-jerk, Slashdot ridicule, but no comments about ketchup or alzhimers, all right?)
Why
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Having a grandmother who currently has alzheimers, I only hope for your sake that you--or anyone else--ever have to go through the same thing... it's completely awful, and regardless of your political feelings, your statement was incredibly without class and basic decency.
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Why .. oh why .. is this news to anyone?
Because it's been hours since the last Nintendo story. These days people are going to be posting about the Wii and DS anyways, they might as well post a story so it's on topic.
In the interest of being on topic, I should say that I just finished playing Brain Age a few minutes ago and I feel much smarter. My prefrontal cortex is hella fit.
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I just decided that paying 317 US$ (250 EUR) for the Wii was really expensive.
So I changed my mind and rather buy this 190 US$ (150 EUR) DS lite.
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They're selling something. The aging brain is a sucker.
KFG
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So you're saying that those old people who aren't "mentally fit" enough to do things like crossword puzzles... don't do things like crossword puzzles?
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Nxt stp, pncttn wn't b ncssry.
It worked for me.. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:It worked for me.. (Score:5, Funny)
Next time get your Doctors to improve their skill with Trauma Center [wikipedia.org].
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You may have said this in jest, but there have been studies that suggest that playing video games before surgery can reduce the number of errors that surgeons make. Especially for Laparoscopic surgery, where the surgeon must use a television to see what he is doing.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4685909/ [msn.com]
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Re:It worked for me (Eloquent cortex, Brain repair (Score:2)
For the PC? (Score:2)
I know that PopCap Games makes great puzzle games from time to time, but are there any others? Maybe open source, even?
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Games aren't the only ways to keep a mind nimble, although I respect a neuroscientist who puts his money where his mouth is.
And hey... the Wii is only $250... compared that to the price of the NES adjusted for inflation, and it's not a bad deal. Especially since they're supposed to be releasing classic games for the console in the $5-$10 range. I've lost a few f
alternatives galore... (Score:5, Insightful)
Read Jane Eyre or Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton? Play tennis, golf, ping-pong? Learn to play the ukelele? Study Latin? Get together with friends to play bridge and argue politics?
It seems hardly surprising that playing video games is better than simply allowing your brain to rot. But I'd be equally surprised if playing video games is better than the more obvious and traditional ways to stay active as you age.
Re:alternatives galore... (Score:5, Insightful)
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Specifically though, Brain Age is targeted at the millions of older adults who purchase things like the herbal "Focus Factor" supplements (the ones Larry King kept saying worked for him -- right up until the week that a well-publicized study about its main ingredient proved otherwise)
Brain Age has a bit of scientific research behind it that I have little reason to doubt. But it is a 2 trick pony based on
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I basically felt the same way you currently do about the Nintendo DS (lite)....can't afford it, don't want another console, etc.
Having said that...I bought one for the gf...now fiance...several months ago, and it's incredible. The console itself is such a superb design, and the games are truly great. We have Mario Cart, Brain Age, Super Mario Bros, and a couple others. I'm saving up to buy another NDS so that we can play each other.
Anyway, my point is...I know what it's like to be broke...but
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Gee Grandson, it's a Wurlitzer!
KFG
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Yeah, right. I have one word to say to you on that subject: blue!
I said BLUE. What, you deaf or something? BLUE! BLUE! BLUUUUE!
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Re: Bluuuue (Score:2)
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Make sure you understand the origin (the designer's background) of the game.
You pronounce it, "BRRRUUUEEEE"
Forget Brain Age... (Score:2)
Keep concentrated. (Score:5, Funny)
Before I knew it, I was naked in the street, shouting about demon doctors and magical mushrooms. The plumber, THE FIREBALLS OF ETERNAL DAMNATION.
Then it occured to me: When the nurse came with my daily dose of anti-psychotics, I had tried to swallow her and thank the friendly pills for my daily dose of nuturing.
Maybe I should put my clothes back on.
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Just saying..
Old Grandma Hardcore! (Score:1)
Reports from the Future? (Score:5, Funny)
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Ugh (Score:2)
Big Brain Academy (Score:4, Informative)
On the other hand, Big Brain Academy doesn't rely on voice and handwriting recognition, and also has more excercises. If I could pick just one of the brain training games, Big Brain Academy would be my choice.
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She initially liked Brain Age better, as did I, but Big Brain Academy has aged better.
It feels less stupid. Brain Age is true to its goal of trying to keep your brain alert, but many of the challenges only make sense in that context. If you're not in to things where the computer just sits there and watches you do it, like making you draw a picture but being completely unable to grade it, you wo
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I've let dozens of people play the game and it is a show-stopper for most everyone over the age of 35 or 40 -- way beyond frustrating, due to this big BAD bug in this software.
I still think it does a couple of the exercises well, but why they never bothered fixing this is bewildering at best (if you really try t
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Once you unlock more tests you can choose which to play when finding you brain age, so you can just ignore the broken Stroop test. It's a flaw but it's not a show stopper, there are enough other modes to keep my family busy with the game.
It is pretty weird that they shipped the game with this mode featured so prominently though.
now is clear (Score:1)
http://wii.qj.net/Spoof-The-PS3-And-The-Wiii/pg/4
Eye opener!!!!!!1111!uno
Other games can do it, but this is tuned for this. (Score:3, Interesting)
Of the two games, I think most people would enjoy Big Brain Academy more because it feels more like a game, while Brain Age feels more like homework. However, I found Brain Age to be the better of the two simply because its math games are great for people who want to improve their basic math skills.
Building a "Cognitive Reserve" (Score:1)
Ummm... this is what STRATEGY games are for...? (Score:1)