History VideoGame / BrainAge

Also known as ''Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training'' in PAL regions (including Europe), ''Brain Age'' is series of "brain training" video games for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS 3DS]], and [[UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch Switch]] based on the research of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima.

* GameWithinAGame: In addition to Sudoku, Virus Buster, and Blob Blast, the game also includes three variations of [[{{TabletopGame/Solitaire}} Solitaire]] (Klondike, Spider and Golf) and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shisen-Sho Shisen-sho]] Mahjong solitaire as part of its Brain Training series of activities.

The games also have a few minigames that you could play to relax and unwind after a brain training session. The first game came with ''lots'' of Sudoku puzzles. The second game came with ''lots more'' Sudoku puzzles and added Virus/Germ Buster, a touch-based remake of ''VideoGame/DrMario''. The third game took away Sudoku, but added Blob Blast, a touch-based remake of ''VideoGame/WariosWoods'' (particularly the NES version).

* ShoutOut: One of the phrases in the Syllable counter is "Thank you, [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]], but YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle."

* AuthorAvatar: Dr. Kawashima.

** When you get Walking Speed and tap the stick figure walking across the screen, it will whistle the VideoGame/SuperMarioBros theme.

* TrainingFromHell: Devilish Training

If you go into the equivalent of "Campaign Mode" in any of these games, you will be expected to take a test from which Dr. Ryuta Kawashima (represented as a talking head) will determine the mental age of your brain. (20 is ideal.) For the original ''Brain Age,'' it is to quickly say the color that a word is written in, made slightly trickier because the words are the names of the colors they come in, and the words frequently [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroop_effect don't match the color]]. In ''Brain Age 2,'' you are to quickly win or lose games of Rock Paper Scissors verbally. (Why, yes, this game does use the DS mic.) There are also alternate tests for when you cannot speak into the mike. Checks on a file after the first one will include two other tests, as well. The third title for the 3DS, ''Brain Age: Concentration Training'', focuses on very strict and challenging exercises to help vastly increase your concentration. Also known as "Oni Training" or "Devilish Training" because of its {{Nintendo Hard}} nature. A fourth title [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjtvl2-cpb8 was released in 2020]] for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch.

If you go into the equivalent of "Campaign Mode" in any of these games, you will be expected to take a test from which Dr. Ryuta Kawashima (represented as a talking head) will determine the mental age of your brain. (20 is ideal.) For the original ''Brain Age,'' it is to quickly say the color that a word is written in, made slightly trickier because the words are the names of the colors they come in, and the words frequently [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroop_effect don't match the color]]. In ''Brain Age 2,'' you are to quickly win or lose games of Rock Paper Scissors verbally. (Why, yes, this game does use the DS mic.) There are also alternate tests for when you cannot speak into the mike. Checks on a file after the first one will include two other tests, as well. The third title for the 3DS, ''Brain Age: Concentration Training'', focuses on very strict and challenging exercises to help vastly increase your concentration. Also known as "Oni Training" or "Devilish Training" because of its {{Nintendo Hard}} nature. A fourth title [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjtvl2-cpb8 was announced]] for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch.

* AuthorAvatar

* GameWithinAGame: In addition to Sodoku, Virus Buster, and Blob Blast, the game also includes three variations of [[{{TabletopGame/Solitaire}} Solitaire]] (Klondike, Spider and Golf) and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shisen-Sho Shisen-sho]] Mahjong solitaire as part of its Brain Training series of activities.