Brain Trainer Dated for US Release - Price: $20!!!

[Ecofreak]

About time! And even though I don't have a DS (yet) I'll be sure to pick up both copies when they are released.

From Kotaku:

Nintendo announced today the release dates for two, not one, Brain Training games in the U.S.

Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day hits on April 17 and Big Brain Academy hits on May 30.

From the press release:



Brain Age presents players with a series of fun mental brain-training challenges that incorporate word memorization, counting and reading. It even includes sudoku number puzzles, which have become extremely popular features in newspapers around the country. The distinctive touch screen of Nintendo DS lets users write their responses, just as though they were using a PDA.

Players even turn the Nintendo DS sideways to make it feel more familiar, like a book. The more often users challenge themselves, the better they become at the tasks and the lower their estimated DS “brain age.”

The second title in the series, Big Brain Academy (known as Brain Flex in Japan) offers players 15 fun activities that test their brain powers in areas like logic, memory, math and analysis. Up to eight people can play with a single game card, and each activity takes less than a minute to complete.

Nice, put this up there with the PS2’s PQ and you’ve got a regular Brain Gym going on.

Edit: Thanks to Vinny for a tibit on the price these games will launch at. :)

[Masterkyo]

Cool :)

[kill3r7]

I'm in.

[1modernboy]

Those are so huge in Japan, I might pick one up just to see what all the fuss is about!

[botticus]

What score does Game Informer give it? :dunce:

[jer7583]

I think these are popular in japan because they prepare students for high school entrance examinations or something like that. Sorta like an ACT test in america.. if they had a practical application like that, i could see these being huge in america.

[daroga]

I might check it out. Wonder how much they'll cost.

[Dr Mario Kart]

I just dont know if these will be a big hit or not. Seeing the sales charts for America and Japan, its obvious that the tastes are just so very different.

[SpottedNigel]

Joystiq link: http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/30/u-s-brain-training-to-begin-this-april-and-may/

By simply having Sudoku included, it will reach more people over here than it would have otherwise.

[gambitmachete]

Awesome. It would be even cooler if Nintendo would charge like $20 for stuff like this and Electroplankton. I'll get these even if they are usual DS game price though. :mrgreen:

[Ecofreak]

I think these are popular in japan because they prepare students for high school entrance examinations or something like that. Sorta like an ACT test in america.. if they had a practical application like that, i could see these being huge in america.

Never thought of it that way.

So Nintendo could release versions for tests like the SATs, MCATS, GMATS, LSATS, etc etc. If the interface is good and produces positive results, Nintendo could have another gold mine.

Yes, it would be cheaper just to buy regular prep books but a lot of my friends have spent good $$$ getting ready for these exams. And the DS could prove to be a good means of taking a break. :)

[RAMSTORIA]

this is great news, i was really hoping theyd be bringing them stateside. ill be sure to pick them up, the only dissapointing part is going to suck is waiting waiting 3 months

[CoffeeEdge]

If they sell a tenth as good as they did in Japan, they'll be bonafide hits.

[chargeup45]

By simply having Sudoku included, it will reach more people over here than it would have otherwise.

Honestly, thats what may have sold me. I have yet to see an effective electronic version, not during my commute at least. They better put plenty of puzzles in there.

[Scobie]

I'm looking forward to this one! Hopefully it'll be no more than $29 on release, maybe with some coupons floating out there around then, too.

[SpottedNigel]

I want someone to bring out a language learning program for DS (preferably Japanese).

Touch screen for text recognition and repetition.
Mic and speakers for hearing and repeating words with recognition.

[Scobie]

I want someone to bring out a language learning program for DS (preferably Japanese).

Touch screen for text recognition and repetition.
Mic and speakers for hearing and repeating words with recognition.

They're getting close! From this month's Nintendo Power (w/ Chibi Robo on the cover):

"Nintendo's ever-expanding library of DS software has made the dual-screened device an essential part of nongamers' lives by training their brains and revamping their vocabularies. At the end of January, the latest DS software, Eigo-Zuke, will take on tongues in Japan. Borrowing its title from a phrase about being so totally into a subject that you're "pickled in it," Eigo-Zuke will help users speak and listen to English by immersing them in fun, quirky interactions. After hearing words and phrases, users will repeat them back to the DS via writing with the stylus and speaking into the microphone. Eigo-Zuke will also pickle users in English with fun minigames like crossword puzzles, writing competitions, and (eeeek!) even a rat-catching game."

[SpottedNigel]

Nice :)

...and I should be getting my copy soon I hope

[Masterkyo]

hope Nintendo sell it for $20 instead $30 ;)

[62t]

I want someone to bring out a language learning program for DS (preferably Japanese).

Touch screen for text recognition and repetition.
Mic and speakers for hearing and repeating words with recognition.
it is call Talkman for psp.

[Vinny]

I just dont know if these will be a big hit or not. Seeing the sales charts for America and Japan, its obvious that the tastes are just so very different.

That's my fear... I think that Electoplankton would've been huge if Nintendo advertised it (and added a save feature). I played the game and I couldn't believe the masterpieces I was making within minutes. Too bad it's $40!

[RelentlessRolento]

yay! I've been waiting for a date for the stateside version of these...

[banpeikun]

My brain cannot wait to be trained.

[Vinny]

IT'LL BE $20 HERE!!! YAYz!
http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=6026

[js1]

IT'LL BE $20 HERE!!! YAYz!
http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=6026

Awesome! I am so picking this up. I also see in that article that they will have one aimed toward kids, I would like to get some thing like that for my son.

[mkg12]

yay! I've been waiting for a date for the stateside version of these...

So have I. At first I read an article a little bit ago saying the kids one was coming to the US for sure which got me kind of bummed cause it didn't mention the adult one. Now that i know the adult one is coming too, i can't wait for this to come out.

[CheapyD]

Originally Posted by SpottedNigel
I want someone to bring out a language learning program for DS (preferably Japanese).

Touch screen for text recognition and repetition.
Mic and speakers for hearing and repeating words with recognition.

it is call Talkman for psp.

Actually, Talkman won't really teach you a language...it will just teach you some phrases. It wont teach you how to read Japanese or anything like that.

IT'LL BE $20 HERE!!! YAYz!
http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=6026

Not suprising as they are priced similarly here in Japan...

I'm looking forward to these!

[Foolman]

For $20, it's hard not to buy.

[Requiem]

I'd be willing to pay $30-$40 if they bring it out sooner. I think May seems far off. Feels like having to wait for summertime :(

[Ecofreak]

I'd be willing to pay $30-$40 if they bring it out sooner. I think May seems far off. Feels like having to wait for summertime :(

Think of it as a half-way stepping stone to the Revolution launch.

[Rocko]

I definitely am looking forward to these.

[SpottedNigel]

Originally Posted by SpottedNigel
I want someone to bring out a language learning program for DS (preferably Japanese).

Touch screen for text recognition and repetition.
Mic and speakers for hearing and repeating words with recognition.

it is call Talkman for psp.

Actually, Talkman won't really teach you a language...it will just teach you some phrases. It wont teach you how to read Japanese or anything like that.


Yeah, I've seen that, but I want something with more depth... although I think my brain might break if I have to learn Japanese from Mario and Luigi (let alone toad...)

[Supercake]

I don't like school, yet I'd pay money for an educational game! I trust Nintendo with my brain, they raised me after all! I hope the kids version is just as fun/educational as the adults one. Since both are 20, I'd get both, can't wait!

[Scobie]

IT'LL BE $20 HERE!!! YAYz!
http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=6026

I'm all over these for $20! Thanks for the heads-up, Vinny!