Brain training games?

[TechnicalFreak]

I have an account at Lumosity, but I feel I want to test something different.
Does anyone around here know of any brain training games, free, demo, trial, online or anything?

Thankful for any replies given.

 

[hat]

Play Chess with someone, heh

 

[EastCoasthandle]

There was an article stating that those brain training games don't work. But I honestly don't know how true that is. Not sure if you played brain challenge or not but that can be fun as well.

 

[mlee49]

+1
There was an article that showed these games don't make an actual difference.

If you like them try Mahjon or chess. Even stratigy/puzzle games might be a better alternative.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

There was an article stating that those brain training games don't work. But I honestly don't know how true that is. Not sure if you played brain challenge or not but that can be fun as well.

Brain Challenge (and friends including Brain Age) apparently doesn't make people smarter but it slows people with Alzheimer's from getting worse.

 

[douglatins]

I read somewhere that this is BS, maybe gizmodo or lifehacker

 

[Easy Rhino]

There was an article stating that those brain training games don't work. But I honestly don't know how true that is. Not sure if you played brain challenge or not but that can be fun as well.

brain training games make you so smart you realize brain training games dont work

 

[Oscnn]

try chess.

 

[lyndonguitar]

World of Goo. HAhAha

 

[arroyo]

Plants VS Zombies ... bRAins !!! wE arrrRe CoMING !!

 

[lyndonguitar]

Plants VS Zombies ... bRAins !!! wE arrrRe CoMING !!

thats a cool simple game played it too

 

[twilyth]

The best way to train your brain is to learn something new.

Think about it. You have to focus so it builds concentration. You have to be able to remember important concepts so it improves your memory. You have to be able to understand the concepts which means building new connections between both old and new data (knowledge). You have to be able to discuss what you've learned which improves communication skills.

I could probably go on.

My real point though is that there aren't any shortcuts. I'm sure if you spend 10 hours a day doing pattern matching, you'll get better at matching patterns. Is that going to help you in any other way, like being able to relate one concept to another and then apply your understanding of the relationship to a problem? Probably not.

I don't think the tests and puzzles are worthless though and I wouldn't put a lot of faith in a single study. A year from now you could read about another one that says that they do work, or sort of work or something else entirely. I'm sure the people selling that stuff are hucksters but even sleazy car dealers sometimes sell a good car.

Thanks to eastcoast for the link. That turned me on to 'Bang goes the theory' which looks extremely interesting.

 

[TechnicalFreak]

Ok, chess - out of the question. Played it so many times it gets boring.
Brain training games, in what I see is like to remember cards/objects.
Example:
you see 3 cards with a triangle, then a round circle, and then again a triangle. The colors may be different aswell. But.. They are in an order - triangle + triangle = match. Triangle + Circle = no match.

The speeds are increased and you don't have 2 or 3 seconds to think about the last figure/object shown. It's like "Now you see it, now you don't - What was it?". I was thinking of using the NIA for this, it's a good way to train reflexes and what you can remember.

I have also a lot of math "games", in different difficulties. Some are like real jibberish to me..

 

[mikek75]

Yeah, there was a recent program on the BBC which showed they don't work...spending the same time on the internet is supposed to help more, though of course it depends on the sites one frequents, lol (the others can do wonders for biceps and wrists though...)

Apparantly, all brain training games do is make you good at brain training games....

 

[entropy13]

Yeah, there was a recent program on the BBC which showed they don't work...spending the same time on the internet is supposed to help more, though of course it depends on the sites one frequents, lol (the others can do wonders for biceps and wrists though...)

Apparantly, all brain training games do is make you good at brain training games....

Maintaining 135° angle also helps strengthen back muscles.

 

[twilyth]

Maintaining 135° angle also helps strengthen back muscles.

Made me break out the protractor for that one.

 

[Deleted member 3]

Try drinking games, they influence the brain as well.

 

[mikek75]

LOL, science, masturbation and the internet...A geeks nirvana!

 

[Fourstaff]

Learn Number Theory. You will thank me when you get old

 

[TechnicalFreak]

Yeah, I do spend a lot (to much?) time on the internet. Mostly here and Wikipedia. But knowledge is like gold for me.

Also, found some "brain games", first a strange version of Rubiks Cube - it's round (called Rubiks 360), a strange cube of 218 squares called V-Cube 7 & rubiks revolution (digital cube). That should get my head spinning forever.

And thanks for the advice Fourstaff, I'll look into that. Sounds interesting.

In case if anyone wonder why I'm suddenly into brain games - I need to stop smoking.
I have tried to play games (normal PC games), played the guitar, drive a car very long.. But these brain games just makes me forget time and cigarettes for a very long time.

Thanks for all the good (and strange) replies.

 

[epicfail]

i play Counter Strike Source for brain training.

i debate with people on voice chat while killing them with an awp. great fun.

 

[3Hyuuuga]

Brain trainer 1 & 2 from Mindscape.. it's quite fun

 

[Jaffakeik]

if u wanna real brain game.than try out sypaplex, its oldie but i still play this game.there is 111lvl i think i beat 108 or 109lvl from all.So give it a try.