Brain Challenge

{{Infobox video game

| title = Brain Challenge

| image = Brainchallange logo.png

| publisher = Gameloft
Ubisoft

| released = Mobile, iPod:
September 5, 2007
Nintendo DS, PC:
January 8, 2008
PlayStation 3:
November 27, 2008
PlayStation Portable:
December 3, 2008
Xbox 360:
March 12, 2008
N-Gage 2.0:
April 3, 2008
iOS:
July 9, 2008
Wii:
{{vgrelease|JP|October 14, 2008|EU|November 7, 2008|NA|November 10, 2008}}Nintendo DS J
{{vgrelease|JP|March 10, 2010|PAL|July 3, 2009|NA|July 13, 2009{{cite news|title=Bit Boy's Incoming Secret Pulse Commands Pose a Brain Challenge for the Ant Nation|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/iTs7wwAiR5NTJEOYcefyS8riSXj44Qc9|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=2009-07-14|accessdate=2009-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716175917/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/iTs7wwAiR5NTJEOYcefyS8riSXj44Qc9|archive-date=2009-07-16|url-status=live}}}}Mac OS X:
January 20, 2011

| genre = Puzzle

| modes = Single-player, Multiplayer

| platforms = Mobile phone, iOS, iPod, Mac OS X, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, N-Gage 2.0, Wii

| producer = Philippe Laurens
Tanguy Pallier
Fabrice Ottomanelli

| artist = Arthur Hugot
Christophe Latour

| designer = Stanislas Dewavrin
Wang Zhen Zhong
Tan Zhen

| composer = Henri-Pierre Pellegrin

}}

Brain Challenge is a mental exercise video game, featuring "brain exercise puzzles". The game was developed by Gameloft Beijing for mobile phone and iPod and released on September 5, 2007. In 2008 was followed by a Nintendo DS version on January 8, an Xbox Live Arcade release on March 12, and a PlayStation 3 launch on November 27. 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 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406223948/http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/showroom/gamedetail.266.GameDetail.html |archivedate=2008-04-06 }}{{cite web |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/getoutandplay/ |title=Get Out and Play! |publisher=Nokia |accessdate=2008-04-04 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080406104932/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/getoutandplay/ |archivedate = April 6, 2008}} A version for WiiWare was released in autumn 2008 on all three regions.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/wiiware/w2cj/index.html |title=Nintendo Japan Brain Challenge WiiWare page |access-date=2016-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305223935/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/wiiware/w2cj/index.html |archive-date=2016-03-05 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=New on WiiWare: Play pinball, boost your brain and invade earth!|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/new_on_wiiware_play_pinball_boost_your_brain_and_invade_earth_10087.html|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|date=2008-11-07|accessdate=2009-08-26}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|title=Two WiiWare Games and One Virtual Console Game Added to Wii Shop Channel|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/UIu1VJEn-pwWGnHLeS8kKvUo-G4zzW1H|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=2008-11-10|accessdate=2008-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218003317/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/UIu1VJEn-pwWGnHLeS8kKvUo-G4zzW1H|archive-date=2008-12-18|url-status=dead}} The Wii version also uses Miis for the players profile. OnLive also had launched their new streaming game platform with Brain Challenge on July 27, 2010.[http://www.onlive.com/games/featuredgames#brain_challenge Onlive America Brain Challenge page] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118015542/http://www.onlive.com/games/featuredgames#brain_challenge |date=November 18, 2010 }} The game was released for Mac OS X in January 2011.

Gameplay

The game is structured like Big Brain Academy in that puzzles are divided into four separate categories: Logic, Math, Visual, and Focus; the Xbox Live Arcade version, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Nintendo DS, and PC 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 (i.e. +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, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo DS versions also feature additional modes:

Creative (available on PS3 with an add-on pack): 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. It is also playable on the PlayStation 3.
Kid mode (available on PS3 with an add-on pack): 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 Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and OnLive versions 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

{{Video game reviews

| na = true

| DS = true

| iOS= true

| MOB= true

| PS3= true

| PSP= true

| X360= true

| WII= true

| MC_DS = 68/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/brain-challenge/critic-reviews/?platform=ds|title=Brain Challenge for DS Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=March 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323170426/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/brain-challenge|url-status=live}}

| MC_X360= 54/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/brain-challenge/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=Brain Challenge for X360 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221144659/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/brain-challenge|url-status=live}}

| MC_WII= 62/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/brain-challenge/critic-reviews/?platform=wii|title=Brain Challenge for Wii Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903060242/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/brain-challenge|url-status=live}}

| EuroG_DS = 5/10{{cite web|first=James|last=Lyon|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_dsroundup_050308?page=2|title=DS Roundup • Page 2|website=Eurogamer|date=March 6, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207003117/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_dsroundup_050308?page=2|url-status=live}}

| GSpot_X360 = 5.5/10{{cite web|first=Don|last=Francis|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/brain-challenge-review/1900-6187867/|title=Brain Challenge Review|website=GameSpot|date=March 14, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307215854/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/brain-challenge-review/1900-6187867/|url-status=live}}

| IGN_DS = 7.5/10{{cite web|first=Jack|last=DeVries|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/14/brain-challenge-review-6|title=Brain Challenge Review|website=IGN|date=January 14, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216190434/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/14/brain-challenge-review-6|url-status=live}}

| IGN_iOS = 7.9/10{{cite web|first=George|last=Roush|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/15/brain-challenge-iphone-review|title=Brain Challenge iPhone Review|website=IGN|date=September 16, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507103330/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/15/brain-challenge-iphone-review|url-status=live}}

| IGN_MOB = 8.3/10{{cite web|first=Levi|last=Buchanan|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/22/brain-challenge-review-7|title=Brain Challenge Review|website=IGN|date=September 22, 2006|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222015039/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/22/brain-challenge-review-7|url-status=live}}

| IGN_PS3 = 7.2/10{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=Geddes|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/02/brain-challenge-review-2|title=Brain Challenge Review|website=IGN|date=December 2, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216190432/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/02/brain-challenge-review-2|url-status=live}}

| IGN_PSP = 7.2/10{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=Geddes|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/06/brain-challenge-review-4|title=Brain Challenge Review|website=IGN|date=January 6, 2009|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=July 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709082000/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/06/brain-challenge-review-4|url-status=live}}

| IGN_X360 = 7.2/10{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=Geddes|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/11/brain-challenge-review-5|title=Brain Challenge Review|website=IGN|date=March 11, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019145719/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/11/brain-challenge-review-5|url-status=live}}

| IGN_WII = 7.5/10{{cite web|first=Lucas M.|last=Thomas|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/14/brain-challenge-review-3|title=Brain Challenge Review|website=IGN|date=November 14, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006204651/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/14/brain-challenge-review-3|url-status=live}}

| PG_iOS = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|first=Kath|last=Brice|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/005494/brain-challenge/|title=Reviews: Brain Challenge|website=Pocket Gamer|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028233935/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/005494/brain-challenge/|url-status=live}}

| PG_MOB = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Abolins|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/001745/brain-challenge/|title=Reviews: Brain Challenge|website=Pocket Gamer|date=October 23, 2006|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028233936/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/001745/brain-challenge/|url-status=live}}

}}

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". Pocket Gamer raved about the iPod version in its 8 of 10 review: "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|date=24 January 2008 |access-date=2008-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330064223/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPod/Brain+Challenge/review.asp?c=5494|archive-date=2008-03-30|url-status=live}}

IGN's review for the Nintendo DS version was less enthusiastic, but still singled out the Stress Test as an innovative twist to the brain exercise game formula, as was its review of the Xbox Live Arcade version, though it did mention that "there's quite a bit of depth to Brain Challenge... Making your way through Brain Challenge could take a very, very long time". 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|access-date=2008-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228091717/http://www.dsfanboy.com/2008/01/23/ds-fanboy-review-brain-challenge/|archive-date=2008-02-28|url-status=live}}

Team Xbox panned the Xbox Live Arcade version in its 4/10 review: "It doesn't take a whole lot of brain power to figure out that this is one title best left on the shelf".{{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 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313231926/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1485/Brain-Challenge/p1/ |archivedate=2008-03-13 }} GameSpot's negative review (5.5/10) was: "...Only a handful of these stand-alone minigames resemble anything of interest".

Sequels

A sequel, Brain Challenge Vol. 2: Stress Management, was released by Gameloft for mobile phones in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.gameloft.com/mobile-games/brain-challenge-vol2-stress-management/|title=Official mobile Brain Challenge Vol 2. site|work=GameLoft|access-date=2008-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314042815/http://www.gameloft.com/mobile-games/brain-challenge-vol2-stress-management/|archive-date=2008-03-14|url-status=dead}} Another sequel, Brain Challenge 3: Think Again!, was released by Gameloft for mobile, iPod Touch, iPhone in September 2009.{{efn|The iPhone and iPod touch version was called Brain Challenge 2: Think Again!.}} In 2012, Brain Challenge 4: Breaking Limits was released for mobile phones.

Brain Challenge

Gameplay

=Game modes=

Multiplayer

Reception

Sequels

See also

Notes

References

External links