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Exercise Your Brain With Nintendo - DS

23rd June 2006, 8:27pm
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 Since launching in Japan, Nintendo's ground-breaking Brain Training line of software has sold over 5 million copies. Now the phenomenon has hit Australian shores.

Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?, from Nintendo, lets users 'exercise' their brain with fun mental workouts incorporating the user-friendly voice-command and the innovative touch-screen capabilities of the Nintendo DS. Brain Training challenges cognitive abilities with simple exercises like memorising words, arithmetic and also includes more than 100 Sudoku puzzles.

And all it takes is a few minutes of play each day to help players keep their brain sharp.

With such widespread appeal in Japan, Brain Training is set to create a huge buzz here in Australia, with major retailer Target predicting its popularity.

'Target expects the innovative Dr Kawashima's Brain Training software to become a best seller very quickly. A game that promises to improve cognitive function and sharpen the mind has very broad appeal, said Mark Edmonds, General Manager, Target Australia.

'It's an exciting development in gaming and at a time when Australians are living longer than ever and there is an increased focus on the quality of our lives we anticipate this game will open up the world of Nintendo to a whole new generation as it has done in Japan.'

Alzheimer's Australia had the following to say about Brain Training: 'Nintendo's Brain Training is more than a game - it's a contribution to brain health,' says Glenn Rees, National Executive Director of Alzheimer's Australia.

'A lifestyle that includes routine mental activities may increase alertness and agility of thought. Research is showing us that brain health is an important contributor to quality of life as we age and may have the added benefit of reducing the risk of dementia. We all need to understand that 'brain health' is vitally important.'

The title provides an entertaining and engaging way for Nintendo to reach out to a broad audience, including seniors and baby boomers (who began turning 60 in January).

For a limited time, specially marked packs of Nintendo DS Lite include a Brain Training demo. Stock is limited, so be quick. Also, for every copy of the game sold between June 15th and July 30th, $1 will be donated to Alzheimer's Australia.

Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? (RRP $49.95) is classified G by the Office of Film and Literature Classification, and is available now.
by Nick Schaedel » Author's Blog