brain-age-2
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Professor: suggesting Brain Age helps is 'charlatanism'
Brain Age games don't necessarily make you smarter, and it is "charlatanism" to make such a claim. Those are the conclusions drawn by one Alain Lieury, professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Rennes. The professor's findings were picked up by The Times, which loves itself a good story (from 2006).Lieury surveyed 67 ten-year-old kids in his study, which compared the impact of Brain Age on intelligence with pencil and paper-based puzzles and going to school (in case anybody was seriously entertaining the thought of homeschooling their child with a DS).The Times covers the precise results of the study in its article, but the long and short of it is: Brain Age won't help you raise an army of miniature geniuses and take over the free world. Boo. "The Nintendo DS is a technological jewel. As a game it's fine," writes Lieury in his new book, Stimulate Your Neurones. "But it is charlatanism to claim that it is a scientific test."Which is great and all, but is anybody terribly surprised by this?%Gallery-3436% [Via GamePolitics]
Practice crashing planes in latest downloadable demos
DS demo updates on the Nintendo Channel often get a disappointed reaction from us, but this week's batch does contain at least one interesting addition: Sonic Powered's Air Traffic Chaos, as localized (complete with generic and terrible boxart) by Majesco. At the very least, we're hopeful that the game can replicate the frenzied, panicked pace of a Trauma Center game.The rest of this week's update is fairly humdrum, consisting of a Crosswords DS wordsearch, a Pictoimage demo, and a chance to try out Carnival Games, which has stuck around like a bad smell. The full list of both old and new demos is past the break!%Gallery-20691%
Nintendo Channel video updates plus one mom's Brain Age 2 experience
This week's video updates had a pretty interesting inclusion. The above video follows a mom and how much she loves that DS game, Brain Age 2. Along with this video, there are a bunch of other things you might want to watch. Head past the break for the full list.
Carnival Games makes its return to the DS Download Service
For people longing to play new demos via the Nintendo Channel, the frustration continues. All we saw on the channel today was the return of two demos that we never really missed in the first place (we're looking at you, Carnival Games and Crosswords DS Wordsearch).Nintendo also extended the availability dates on three of the existing demos, probably because offering three new ones would have been too satisfying (/bitter). The good news is, you have another week to try out Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 and Contra 4 if you haven't done so already.Click past the break to see yet another underwhelming list of demos.
DS Download Service updates with old demos
For those of you looking to play something brand new this week, you're out of luck. Instead, Nintendo offers us a chance to catch up with some demos me might have missed in the past, allowing folks to download these up until next week. So, if you missed out last time, get on it!
Another unimpressive week of Nintendo Channel demos
With Trauma Center 2 and Contra 4 on the Nintendo Channel's demos list, you may wonder why exactly we're unimpressed. Perhaps it's because there's nothing new offered this week, unless you count the reappearance of certain demos on the list as "new." We don't.To see why we're thoroughly uninspired, check past the break for the full list of "been there, done that" demos.
Searching for more than words in Nintendo's latest demo offerings
This week was a bit of a let down in terms of demos -- then again, it's hard to follow up the excitement of Arkanoid. It seems like Nintendo didn't even try, though. While we were interested in the demo the first time around, Cake Mania 2 already had its heyday. Then, there's Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, which we can't help but be underwhelmed by. Last and maybe least, the only other new demo is from Crosswords DS, which now offers the wordsearch game in addition to crossword puzzles. We guess beggars can't be choosers.Since things always look better in list form, check out the full list of demos available for download after the break.
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 5/5-5/11
There's no new DS software in the top of the charts to report this week, but that doesn't mean Nintendo's little handheld didn't completely clean house. In fact, nineteen of the top thirty were DS games, showing how gluttonous the dual-screened portable can get when it comes to sales. Some old favorites also popped back up around the bottom, including Brain Age 2, Animal Crossing, and the original Taiko Drum Master DS.Hardware continues to be a struggle, though. That doesn't mean the DS is doing poorly, because it's not; sales for the handheld even jumped up almost 10,000 units since last week. However, since the PSP and Wii have been doing so well lately, it's hard for Nintendo's handheld to compete: PSP: 89,884 Wii: 67,308 Nintendo DS: 51,228 PlayStation 3: 8,054 PlayStation 2: 7,464 Xbox 360: 1,298 We have no doubt that the DS will be on top again soon enough, but until then, you can check out the satisfactory software numbers posted after the break.
Professor Layton and the New, Low Price
Here's a puzzle for you, and we think you'll find it to be an absolute humdinger: if you haven't already purchased Professor Layton and the Curious Village, then why not? There are several different answers to this brainteaser, but you'll have to go past the break to find them.Anyway, Level 5's gorgeous adventure is now available at Target for $26, a minuscule price to pay for what is easily one of the best DS games of 2008 so far. Also in Target's bargains line-up this week: Brain Age 2 (for $17), Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (also $17) and, um ... Petz Bunnyz 2 ($26 too much).%Gallery-12504%
Friday Video: Senior version
Did you know the Crimson & Black DS Lite is the "senior version?" Yeah, it's news to us (especially those of us who own it), but according to Gary Krakow, anything with a leatherette case and math is clearly not for kids. Usually, we limit the Friday video spotlight to something we can embed here for your viewing pleasure, but this time, we're making an exception -- and when you watch Mr. Krakow hesitate over 0 +1, you'll know the reason why. Head on over and take a peek.
Go to Target for the new DS Lite, save $10
Remember how we were telling you just last night that the black and red DS Lite is on sale now on its own, without the bundled copy of Brain Age 2? Well, if you're like us (see: tall, dark and handsome), you're already setting aside those precious monies to pick up the new DS Lite model. Well, if you decide to pick it up from Target, you can get it for a whole $10 cheaper. It may not be the biggest sale on the planet, but we can all appreciate a few saved bucks.[Thanks, Crazylink!]
Get your DS Lite fix without the brain training
Nintendo issued out a statement today, confirming rumors that the black and red DS Lite that came bundled with Brain Age 2 would be sold without the title, as a stand alone unit. It is currently available in stores right now with the appropriate price tag of $129.99. Color us super jazzed.Anyone else planning on picking this beauty up with us?
DS Daily: Can Brain Age take over America?
It looks like NoA is taking steps to increase not only the popularity of Brain Age 2, but the DS as a whole. After an aggressive ad campaign, Brain Age 2 is taking Dr. Kawashima's show on the road. But will it work? Brain training is a worldwide phenomenon, but less popular in the U.S. with a nontraditional gaming audience -- and so is the DS, despite dominating sales on a regular basis. We'd still like to see Nintendo expand on this with some of the other "nongames" in the DS lineup, if only to ensure a wider audience and greater interest in the handheld, but hey, everything has to start somewhere. Do you think a mall tour and a salon presence will help shed a little more light on the DS and Brain Age in the U.S.?
Brain Age 2 to pop up in unlikely places
Nintendo is ramping up the advertising campaign for Brain Age 2, taking care to make sure more people know about the title than those who just watch TV. First attack takes form in mall tours, where the game will be on showcase at over 50 different malls in the United States. To check where and when you can get your hands on it at a demo station, hit up this page here.Next, Nintendo will be sponsoring several different Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk events, making sure that participants can try the title out. Also, Nintendo is apparently taking over a hair salon in Beverly Hills, CA. While patrons wait to get their hair done, they can shape up their mind by trying the title out.All in all, looks like a pretty aggressive campaign.[Via press release]
Crimson Black DS releases sans bundle October 3rd?
Of course, we've all seen the store displays saying it was releasing in October, but when exactly? Rumor has it, the thing will be on sale soon. So, if you're one of the folks who held off even though it was bundled with a fine title (see: us), you should be able to get your hands on one soon enough.Word hits via Toys R Us' website that the unit will be available on its own for purchase come October 3rd. This is merely a rumor at this point, but it isn't stopping us from crossing our fingers, closing our eyes tight and whispering "pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease." And, since the thing is going to Japan without a bundle on October 4th, we're willing to believe.[Via Go Nintendo]
DS Daily: DS, daily
You may notice a little bit more swagger in our writing style-- it's the confidence that comes from having a youthful, energetic brain. Yes, we've been playing Brain Age 2, tapping on piano keys and unscrambling words and remembering big groups of numbers with the best of them.One thing that bothers us a bit about Brain Age and its sequel is the daily-play design. Sometimes we like that we can fit a satisfying gaming experience into just a few minutes, but sometimes we have two hours to kill playing games, and we want to play Brain Age. While you can train all you want, you can only make so much "progress" in one day, due to artificial constraints. If one can even be said to make progress in a nontraditional game like Brain Age, that is.What about you? Do you like it when games feed you pre-measured portions of game time? Or do you really hate running out of stuff to do?
August NPD: Winning at losing
Okay, so the number of DS (and Wii) systems sold in August was smaller than the number sold in July. That's okay! Everything else sold fewer units this month, too, except the Xbox 360-- and 106,000 fewer of those sold than did DS Lites. As long as everyone did worse than Nintendo, we're still happy, because we're bitter, horrible people! Thanks, everyone who didn't buy one of the other systems, for making up for the people who didn't buy a DS this month! It's just not as much fun if we're not on the winning team. Nintendo Wii: 403K Nintendo DS: 383K Microsoft Xbox 360: 277K Sony PS2: 202K Sony PSP: 151K Sony PS3: 131K The DS didn't fare as well in software sales this month, with the first DS game on the list (Brain Age 2) coming in at #13. We've provided the top 20 here so you could see some DS games on the list. 1. Madden NFL 08 (Xbox 360) 2. Madden NFL 08 (PlayStation 2) 3. BioShock (Xbox 360) 4. Madden NFL 08 (PlayStation 3) 5. Wii Play (Wii) 6. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) 7. Mario Strikers: Charged (Wii) 8. Guitar Hero 2 Bundle (PlayStation 2) 9. Mario Party 8 (Wii) 10. Guitar Hero Encore (PlayStation 2) 11. Madden NFL 08 (Xbox) 12. Madden NFL 08 (Wii) 13. Brain Age 2 (DS) 14. Two Worlds (Xbox 360) 15. Pokemon Diamond (DS) 16. High School Musical: Makin' The Cut (DS) 17. Guitar Hero 2 Bundle (Xbox 360) 18. Madden NFL 08 (PSP) 19. Pokemon Pearl (DS) 20. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 (Xbox 360)
From Face Training and yoga to the world
We couldn't help but giggle when we saw this article on "facial yoga" that described it as the hot new craze. It's certainly not new to us DS hipsters; after all, we've already got a game dedicated to stretching and firming our faces, and since the practice is apparently the latest it-exercise (despite being around for years, much like regular yoga), it seems likely that Otona no DS Kao Training may sweep in on the heels of Let's Yoga and hit the United States.Of course, then the real question becomes: will Nintendo (and others, like Konami, the company behind Let's Yoga) start to change the way they advertise the DS in the United States? We can't help but wonder if it seems unlikely; after all, we still have no official "face" for Brain Age beyond our favorite disembodied head, and it's rare that we see advertisements for our favorite piece of hardware on the scale that we see those for the Wii.
DS Daily: Brain Training Training
With Brain Age 2 on the way, we thought we'd start helping everyone limber up mentally, in the most meta way we could think of. Let's come up with new Brain Age challenges! They may increase bloodflow to the prefrontal cortex, or they may not-- we have no idea! We'll get you started with some examples: You have two minutes to write as many jokes as you can about Dr. Kawashima's mama! Calculate Nintendo's profits based on a given number of Brain Age sales! How well can you remember the lyrics to Kris Kross's Sprite jingle?
E307: Great while it lasted
... but all good things must come to an end, eh? It's always nice to wallow in the explosion of news that surrounds a trade show, and even the diminished E3 was no exception. Sure, for Nintendo fans, at least on the DS side, things started out a little slowly, but once the media hit, we no longer had anything to be disappointed about! So what was tops for DS owners? Here's the best -- according to us, at least.Top E3 trailers: Contra 4 -- After all our Contragasms, you knew we were going to say this! Front Mission DS -- What can we say ... we're big fans of ass-kickery. Brain Age 2 -- We know you'll probably disagree with us here, but we can't help it. We a) dig a good, brainy challenge and b) think the selection of games looks even better than before. Less-discussed games we desperately want right now: Professor Layton and all his mysterious locales -- Okay, we wanted this before. But it was mentioned in passing around E3, and now we're more rabid for it than ever! Nintendo Magic -- Another game we weren't sure would head our way, but that just sounds like fun. Advance Wars 2 -- The first is one of the best the DS has to offer, though it seems to rarely get a mention. Worst trailer that should have been awesome:Insecticide, hands down. Please pass us some Dramamine on your way out.Biggest disappointment:Probably the missing wi-fi for Mario Party DS. C'mon, Nintendo, slip it in there! We promise not to complain about friend codes for at least a week.
