Brain Challenge

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Brain Challenge

Developer(s)	GameLoft
Publisher(s)	Mobile, Xbox 360, N-Gage 2.0: GameLoft Nintendo DS: Ubisoft iPod: Apple, Inc.
Platform(s)	Mobile phones, iPod, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 (XBLA), N-Gage 2.0
Release date	Mobile, iPod: September 5, 2007 Nintendo DS: January 8, 2008 Xbox 360: March 12, 2008 N-Gage 2.0: April 3, 2008
Genre(s)	Puzzle game
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer (Xbox 360, DS)
Rating(s)	ESRB: E (Everyone)
Media	Download
System requirements	iPod: iPod Classic, iPod Nano (3rd generation), iPod (5th generation)
Input methods	Xbox 360, N-Gage 2.0: Gamepad DS: Touch screen iPod: iPod Wheel Mobile: Keypad

Brain Challenge is a mental exercise 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.^[1]^[2]

1 Gameplay
- 1.1 Game modes
2 Multiplayer
3 Reception
4 Sequel
5 Gallery
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
- 8.1 Brain Challenge Vol. 2: Stress Management

[edit] 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, Creativity. 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.

[edit] 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 more relaxing test mode than the basic Test mode.
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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Reception

**Review scores**
Publication	Score
DS Fanboy (DS)	8 of 10
Eurogamer (DS)	5 of 10
Extreme Gamer (DS)	7.8 of 10
IGN (DS)	7.5 of 10
GameSpot (XBLA)	5.5 of 10
IGN (mobile)	8.3 of 10
IGN (XBLA)	7.2 of 10
iLounge (iPod)	A-
Inside Mac games (iPod)	8 of 10
Mobile Gamer FAQ (mobile)	8.5 of 10
Pocket Gamer (iPod)	8 of 10
Pocket Gamer (mobile)	8 of 10
Pocket Gamer (N-Gage)	6 of 10
Team Xbox (XBLA)	4 of 10

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."^[3] 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."^[4] 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."^[5]

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,^[6] 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."^[7] 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."^[8]

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.^[9] GameSpot's negative review (5.5/10) stated, "...Only a handful of these stand-alone minigames resemble anything of interest."^[10]