Brain Challenge

Infobox VG
title = Brain Challenge


developer = GameLoft
publisher = Mobile, Xbox 360, N-Gage 2.0, Wii:
GameLoft
Nintendo DS:
Ubisoft
iPod:
Apple, Inc.
released = Mobile, iPod:
September 5, 2007
Nintendo DS:
January 8, 2008
Xbox 360:
March 12, 2008
N-Gage 2.0:
April 3, 2008
Wii:
TBA
genre = Puzzle game
modes = Single-player, Multiplayer (Xbox 360, DS)
ratings= ESRB: E (Everyone)
platforms = Mobile phones, iPod, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 (XBLA), N-Gage 2.0, Wii (WiiWare)
media = Download, cartridge (DS)
input = Xbox 360, N-Gage 2.0: Gamepad
DS:
Touch screen
iPod:
iPod Wheel
Mobile:
Keypad
Wii:
Wii Remote
requirements = iPod:
iPod Classic, iPod Nano (3rd generation), iPod (5th generation)

"Brain Challenge" is a mental exercise video game similar to "Big Brain Academy", featuring "brain exercise puzzles". The game was developed by GameLoft for mobile phones and iPods and released on September 5, 2007. It was followed by a Nintendo DS version on January 8, 2008, and an Xbox Live Arcade release on March 12, 2008. The N-Gage 2.0 version was released on the day of the service's launch, April 3, 2008. [cite web |url=http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/showroom/gamedetail.266.GameDetail.html |title=Brain Challenge game page |publisher=Nokia |accessdate=2008-04-04] [cite web |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/getoutandplay/ |title=Get Out and Play! |publisher=Nokia |accessdate=2008-04-04] A version for WiiWare is set to be released in future. [ [http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/09/gamelofts_brain_challenge_comes_to_wiiware Gameloft's Brain Challenge Comes To WiiWare] ]

Gameplay

The game is also structured like "Big Brain Academy" in that puzzles are divided into four separate categories: Logic, Math, Visual, and Focus; the Xbox Live Arcade version and Nintendo DS add a fifth category, Memory. The puzzles can be played at three difficulty levels, and more complex puzzles are unlocked through a player's progression through the game.

Many of the puzzles are similar to those from both "Big Brain Academy" and "Brain Age". For example, Balance shows different objects on scales, and the player must determine from the relationships on the scales which is the heaviest object. In the Trout Route test, the player must follow a path based on the progressive numerical relationship given (ie. +2, -3, etc.) Travelling requires the player to memorize a route of arrows, while Ascending has the player determining the order of a group of objects from least to most in amount. Bouncing Ball has the player determining as quick as possible which ball bounces highest.

Game modes

The game features two modes:
*Test: the difficulty level automatically adjusts throughout the game based on performance.
*Free Training (Training Room on the XBLA version): Allows the player to select exercises of their choice at three available levels (Easy, Medium, Hard).

The XBLA and Nintendo DS versions also feature additional modes:
*Creative: A relaxing mode in which the player can doodle drawings or shoot fireworks.
*Stress: A more stressful test mode than the basic Test mode, which adds distracting noises and visuals, such as forcing the player to do two disparate actions at once, or dealing with distracting images or insects on the screen.
*Kid mode: A multiplayer mode that allows younger players to play.
*Personal coach: A user-selected AI coach that accompanies the player through various modes.
*Brain charts: Detailed stats and graphs tracking past gameplay.

Multiplayer

The Nintendo DS version supports up to three player multiplayer via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, while the Xbox Live Arcade version features up to four player offline and online Xbox Live multiplayer, as well as online leaderboards. The mobile phone version also features an online leaderboard.

Reception

The mobile phone and iPod versions were very well received, including an 8.3/10 from "IGN" for the wireless version, which praised, " [the] majority of the puzzles are good and the production values are strong."cite web|url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/734/734149p1.html|title= IGN "Brain Challenge" (wireless) review|author=Levi Buchanan|work=IGN ] "Pocket Gamer" raved about the iPod version in its 8 of 10 review, glowing, "It's almost a no-brainer to recommend "Brain Challenge". It's enjoyable, invigorating and there's a remarkable amount [of gameplay] in it."cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPod/Brain+Challenge/review.asp?c=5494|title=Pocket Gamer "Brain Challenge" (iPod) review|author=Kath Brice|work=Pocketgamer] "iLounge's" A- review of the iPod version also applauded, "It’s just as smart of an offering for this platform as "Brain Age" was for Nintendo’s."cite web|url=http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/gameloft-sa-brain-challenge|title= iLounge "Brain Challenge" (iPod) review|author=Jeremy Horwitz|work=iLounge]

"IGN's" review for the Nintendo DS version was less enthusiastic (7.5/10), but still singled out the Stress Test as an innovative twist to the brain exercise game formula,cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/845/845423p1.html|title= IGN "Brain Challenge" (DS) review|author= Jack DeVries|work=IGN] as was its review of the Xbox Live Arcade version (7.2/10), though it did mention, "There's quite a bit of depth to "Brain Challenge"...Making your way through "Brain Challenge" could take a very, very long time."cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/858/858747p1.html|title= IGN "Brain Challenge" (XBLA) review|author=Ryan Geddes|work=IGN] "DS Fanboy's" review was more generous with an 8/10 review, and while calling it "an odd little game", it praised, "Lots of replay value, interesting unlockables, and loads of content make up for the title's flaws."cite web|url=http://www.dsfanboy.com/2008/01/23/ds-fanboy-review-brain-challenge/|title= DS Fanboy "Brain Challenge" (DS) review|author=Alisha Karabinus|work=Joystiq]

"Team Xbox" panned the Xbox Live Arcade version, saying, "It doesn’t take a whole lot of brain power to figure out that this is one title best left on the shelf," in its 4/10 review.cite web|url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1485/Brain-Challenge/p1/|title=Team Xbox "Brain Challenge" (XBLA) review|author=David Chapman|work=TeamXbox] "GameSpot's" negative review (5.5/10) stated, "...Only a handful of these stand-alone minigames resemble anything of interest."cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/brainchallenge/review.html?sid=6187867|title=GameSpot "Brain Challenge" (XBLA) review|author=Don Francis|work=GameSpot]

equel

A sequel, "Brain Challenge Vol. 2: Stress Management", was released by Gameloft for mobile phones in 2008.cite web|url=http://www.gameloft.com/mobile-games/brain-challenge-vol2-stress-management/|title=Official mobile "Brain Challenge Vol 2." site|work=GameLoft]

Gallery

ee also

*"Brain Age" and "Brain Age 2"
*"Brain Boost"
*""
*""
*"Minna de Kitaeru Zenno Training"
*"Professor Kageyama's Maths Training The Hundred Cell Calculation Method"

References

External links

* [http://www.apple.com/games/ipod/brainchallenge/ Official iPod "Brain Challenge" site]
* [http://www.gameloft.com/mobile-games/brain-challenge/ Official mobile "Brain Challenge" site]
* [http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/showroom/gamedetail.266.GameDetail.html Official N-Gage "Brain Challenge" site]
* [http://www.ubi.com/US/Games/Info.aspx?pId=6348 Official DS "Brain Challenge" site]
* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/b/brainchallengexboxlivearcade/ Official "Brain Challenge" Xbox.com page]
* [http://www.gameloft.com/ Gameloft]

Brain Challenge Vol. 2: Stress Management

* [http://www.gameloft.com/mobile-games/brain-challenge-vol2-stress-management/ Official mobile "Brain Challenge Vol 2." site]