Dr Kawashima's Brain training (DS)

Introduction

Dr Kawishima has set you up for a number of different challenges. The game tests your arithmetic your reading and your logic. You complete challenges to be rewarded stamps and to be given new training programs.

Gameplay

The main menu starts off with, quick play which is for people who don't want to make an account. On quick play the only program you can access is the 20 calculations. Daily training takes you to the accounts that have been made and are used everyday to gain stamps; it shows you your brain age and your name which you draw in using the touch screen.

You start of with 4 training programs, 20 calculations, 100 calculations, reading aloud and low to high. You can also take a brain age check which consists of 3 tests at random to calculate your brain age. The more stamps you get the more tests you can try. The best brain age to get is 20 and I am currently at a brain age of 39. He tells you to take the results with a pinch of salt as I am only 12.

You hold the DS side ways and use the touch screen as if it where portrait not landscape. I found this annoying because it doesn't fit as snug in your hand and is quite uncomfortable to hold for a long time. The gameplay however is very tight and it is overall still manageable.

Graphics

The graphics are alright and very standard but Dr Kawishima is made of cubes which you can see quite easily. There aren't many great visuals apart from that because most of the game is drawing and writing.

Sound

There is not much sound on this game because you need to concentrate but there is quite annoying music at the main menu. The music carries on through all menus until you enter your account, then the music changes to be a bit more techno and changes again when you get to the training programs. The only sound on the training is the generally annoying effects of your stylus scratching on the touch screen.

Downsides

The down sides to this game has to be that the game has to be played everyday or Dr Kawishima's head pops up and says "You didn't see me yesterday.. I was very sad."

Overall

Dr Kawashima's Brain training for the DS is a pretty good title that deserves your attention.  Despite its clear flaws it is still a great game with many innovations that will have you playing it more than just once.

Edited by Morphieous