Big Brain Academy
SCORE: 90
Big Brain Academy is similar to Brain Age, but at the same time
drastically different. Let me explain. Big Brain Academy is filled with
fun little mental exercises, that may very well improve the mind. It
also grades the player, and charts improvements. That is really where
the similarities end. The mental exercises are generally more
challenging, and fun to this reviewer. Nintendo has really been making
an effort to improve the image of video games, and this game certainly
does just that. This is also one of those games that can be played for
five minutes, or an hour. By design Big Brain Academy requests the
player play each and every day to at the very least test. The players
age is weighed based upon their performance in the mental exercises that
are tested. There are enough games for each of the five graded
categories to keep this game fresh for quite awhile. Depending on how
the player thinks certain sections will be easier than others. I started
much higher in some sections, but was able to improve upon the others
over time. Practice makes perfect, eh?
Graphically Big Brain Academy is a mixed bag. There are some very
bright and colorful graphics throughout the game. However some of the
graphics can be rather bland, and plain. This can be a mixed blessing,
as in certain mental exercises additional graphics would only distract.
At other times though, it would be nice if there was a little more power
put into the graphical department.
The sounds in Big Brain Academy are extremely crisp and clear. The
little guy (or whatever he is supposed to be) who instructs and grades
has some weird speech patterns at times. The sounds generally work well,
but there is one annoying sound. As the clock ticks out the last ten
seconds (or so), that sound is extremely aggravating to this reviewer.
To be fair that sound is there to encourage the player to speed things
up, but it only bothered me. The music is rather cheerful, and is very
pleasant on the ears.
Nintendo may not have cornered the market on replay value, but they
might as well have. This game can easily be played every single day for
a year at least. It can be addictive trying to improve the testing
scores from the previous day. The scientists can determine if it
actually improves the brain or not. This is a fun game, and multiple
people can have their own game saves. In this reviewers opinion this is
a game that is most certainly worth your hard earned dollars. The only
concern is that this game may become too addictive. Thankfully that was
not an issue for any of us here at Family Friendly Gaming.
All of the mental exercise games control amazingly well. The control
design is also quite spectacular. This is a game that I found was not
only fun, but educational at the same time. Always read the instructions
on how to play a mental exercise, or you could find yourself having
trouble.
This is a game that has some wonderful matching, proper thinking, and
money counting in it. Nintendo did this with nothing offensive in it at
all. Big Brain Academy not only takes the player to school, but also
other video game developers. Games can teach us good things, and be fun
at the same time. This game is safe for the entire family, and one I
already have recommended to pastors. It was a joy to play, and review
this game. Whenever a sequel comes up, this reviewer will be asking for
first dibs on it.
- Yolanda
Graphics: 78%
Sound: 85%
Replay/Extras: 96%
Gameplay: 98%
Family Friendly Factor: 95%
System: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Rating: 'E' for Everyone
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