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BBBB RRRR AAAAA I N N N
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A GG EEEEE
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Brain Age
Train Your Brain In Minutes A Day!
*************************************
********************************
Brain Age FAQ
For Nintendo DS
Version 1.0 (7/28/06)
Written by Brad Russell "TheGum"
(email at the bottom)
********************************
Version 1.0 (7/28/06)
*****************
Table of Contents
*****************
Use Ctrl + F and type in the code to quick find a section,
1. A Brief Foreword
2. Basic Info
3. QUICK PLAY (1111quic)
Quick Brain Age Check (1111brai)
Quick Training (1111trai)
Quick Sudoku
4. DAILY TRAINING (2222dayt)
Brain Age Check (2222brac)
Training (2222trai)
Exercises
Calculations x 20 (3333ca20)
Calculations x 100 (3333c100)
Reading Aloud (3333read)
Low To High (3333ltoh)
Head Count (3333head)
Syllable Count (3333syco)
Triangle Math (3333math)
Time Lapse (3333time)
Voice Calculation (3333voic)
5. SUDOKU (4444sudo)
6. Unlockables/Misc
7. Credits/Copyright
*****************************************************************************
* 1. A Brief Foreword *
*****************************************************************************
Brain Age is not really a "game;" gee, what a way to start a game guide. But
never the less, I will try to take Brain Age off the GameFAQ's front page by
providing a complete guide/FAQ/tips, whatever.
Also, I only played this game on the DS Lite, whatever that means.
And remember, while I will try to help you reach that perfect 20, you will need
to use your own brain; I'm quite happy with my 20, for now.
Short guide, I know.
*****************************************************************************
* 2. Basic Info *
*****************************************************************************
What's there to say? Hold the DS on the side. Just like a book. If you want a
challenge, hold it horizontally.
You need:
A brain; a good, drug-free one preferably
A DS pen; not your finger
A clear voice; for the full game
No distractions; turn TV volume down, close door, etc.
Patience; will take 20 days to complete (unless you cheat)
This game is meant to keep your brain fresh and sharp. The theory is, if you
don't use it, you lose it; just like your muscles. So here is what you should
do: play all the training games every day, and once you are done, go use your
cat or dog as freeweight. That will keep you going till the end of time!
Also, it does help to play when your mind is at its best, or close to it. I
mean don't play when you are starving, or when you qualify as the living dead
from staying up all night.
If you want high scores, you must be fast.
Also note, the training games are not the same as the brain check games.
Sudoku is just an added feature, but it is pretty cool.
Have others around you? Are they gamers? It doesn't matter, let them try the
brain check too! It is neat, though for me it only causes confusion from
others.
Only do the voice exercises when no one is around, need I say more?
Practice makes perfect!
*****************************************************************************
* 3. QUICK PLAY (1111quic) *
*****************************************************************************
Use the Quick Play first, duh.
These are the games you play with family and friends. Of course they don't
offer much, but it is a taste of the full versions. They are limited, but you
can play them as much as possible.
*********************
Quick Brain Age Check (1111brai)
*********************
Say the color you see, do not care about what the letters spell out.
This is a simple voice exercise, called the Stroop Test. The objective sounds
simple, but you will get tripped up a bit. This is what I do: I look at the
center of the DS (between the two screens) and say whatever color I see. Don't
get me wrong, it isn't a flawless method, but it helps. Whenever I focus on
the word, I usually read the word. This is the best method for me, but feel
free to try whatever you like. I can at least get 30-ish everytime.
I don't know what the grading system is, but obviously you need to be fast and
correct.
Don't get too scared if you end up with 80s on your first try, it doesn't
matter, at least for now.
**************
Quick Training (1111trai)
**************
Only one exercise here, Calculations x20. You do know how to do math, right?
No derivatives, or areas, or square roots. Just addition, subtraction, and
multiplication. The highest number I remember was 81 (9x9), and the lowest 0.
So it ain't hard. The ability to input numbers is really good, the only problem
is that you are on the clock. Expect to have five seconds added a few times, or
to get a few right too, as the game is not perfect. The software will accept
the first correct answer, but if you put down something wrong you will have
only a few mili-seconds to hit erase. Also, if you get the problem wrong, you
don't have to correct it.
Another thing, the game will try to trip you up. Example: one equation may be
6+5, and then the next is 6-5. Or: 8x6, and then 6x8. Doesn't seem like much,
but when your brain is racing it does get in the way.
My tip is to look at the next equation, answer the current one, and keep that
pace going. I know it sounds hard to write and not look at what you're writing,
but you will get use to it, I hope.
Anyway, you are scored on time, and each missed equation adds five seconds to
your total time. I can get 16-20 easy. I don't know how to get rocket speed.
I guess you got to do each problem at .5 seconds.
************
Quick Sudoku
************
*Don't play it here, play the "real" thing on the main menu*
*****************************************************************************
*4. DAILY TRAINING (2222dayt) *
*****************************************************************************
This is the real game, the meat and potatoes. This is what will have the most
affect on your very own prefrontal cortex, but also other regions of your
brain. Dr. Ryuta Kawashima will be the severed head helping you along your
journey to the perfect brain age.
First, create a profile, and follow all other instructions. Also note, you can
have up to four people on one card. Or you can have four different profiles for
you to really train hard.
Note that usually before training the floating head will either ask you a
question, ask you answer to an older question, or ask you to draw your horrible
depiction of simple things. No, these don't matter at all, you can just put
big X's on every screen. But it is cool to see how well you can draw a giraffe
and toilet.
You have some options and you can look at graphs of you progress, or miraculous
decline. The Brain Age Check is the main feature, so lets cover it first.
*******************************************************************************
***************
Brain Age Check (2222brac)
***************
There are two sections you get to play from, either "I Can't Speak" or "I Can
Speak." These offer slightly different tests. You will get only three.
"I Can't Speak"
***********************************
*One test can be the Connect Maze.*
***********************************
In the Connect Maze you must take a small dot from "A" to "13" in a fast manner
and without going out of sequence. The sequence is letter to number to letter
and so on until you reach 13. You will be fine as it only matters where the
stylus lands, and all gaps are passable.
This is my favorite test, and it ain't that hard. It helps me to keep a tally
of the last letter I hit. You can use the number, but if you try to juggle both
it may be a bit hard. Just do your best.
I don't think you are punished for going out of sequence, you just can't do it.
Just be fast.
*********************************
*Another is the Number Cruncher.*
*********************************
For the Number Cruncher, you need to tally up the correct amount of numbers.
You may need to count the colored, sliding, rotating, pulsating numbers, and
sometimes you may even need to just count the numbers.
Take your time and don't screw up. That's all I can say about this.
******************************
*Another test is Word Memory.*
******************************
Word Memory is the toughest test. You have 30 words in front of you, and you
will have two whole minutes to cram them into your nervous tissue. After this,
you get three minutes to write as many as you can remember on the screen.
Only four letter words, so that is a break. Also, many of the words will be
related. Some will be animals, sounds, or whatever, and your job is to find out
what is the best way to remember as many as possible.
The first thing I look for are words with two of the same letters (poof, book,
look, etc.). Then I go for familiar words, and then previously tested words.
There is little I can do for you on this, just know that you should shoot for
about 15 or so, and you will be fine.
Also, yes you can write them all down on paper and cheat your way to heck, but
that is not the reason you bought this game. And it is a little sad if you do.
Three minutes, that should give you plenty of time to get the words on the
screen; as the software may give you trouble, but take your time to write down
each word. It only takes your correct words, so nothing takes away from your
score. Again, aim for 15.
Also, push the select button if you want to toss in the towel.
**************************************
*And a rare test is Calculations x20.*
**************************************
Addition, Subtraction, or Multiplication, do you need me to tie your shoes too?
Just be fast and accurate. Shoot for 16-20 seconds.
Refer to Calculations x20 under Training for more.
For "I Can Speak"
***************************
*The good old Stroop Test.*
***************************
Say the color of the word, do not say the word. Simple. Look at the spot
between the two screens if you want some help from me.
Don't screw up, so take your hurried time.
******************************************************
*And a test I have never done before, Speed Counting.*
******************************************************
Apparently you must count. Count? Count! Yes, count. Your goal is to count out
loud, from 1 to 120. Why? I don't know.
I have never done this, and only know about it after I looked at the booklet;
and after I've "beat" the game.
Yet another reason to lie to Dr. Head and say you can't speak.
**************************
*Summary of Brain Age Check*
**************************
Just poke the "I Can't Speak" button. Remember, if you screw up one test you
can make it up in another. Sadly, I don't know how the total is added up, so
just do your best. I won't be long before you are consistant at getting 20 each
time.
I usually get the maze, memory, and number counting.
******
*Secret*
******
Hold Select when poking the Brain Age Check button.
*******************************************************************************
*******************************************************************************
********
Training (2222trai)
********
These are the fun tests you get to use to train your prefrontal cortex. Only
three are given at the start, but here are all of them.
Calculations x 20 (3333ca20)
Here is my copy and paste from the quick play section:
Only one exercise here, Calculations x20. You do know how to do math, right?
No derivatives, or areas, or square roots. Just addition, subtraction, and
multiplication. The highest number I remember was 81 (9x9), and the lowest 0.
So it ain't hard. The ability to input numbers is really good, the only problem
is that you are on the clock. Expect to have five seconds added a few times, or
to get a few right too, as the game is not perfect. The software will accept
the first correct answer, but if you put down something wrong you will have
only a few mili-seconds to hit erase. Also, if you get the problem wrong, you
don't have to correct it.
Another thing, the game will try to trip you up. Example: one equation may be
6+5, and then the next is 6-5. Or: 8x6, and then 6x8. Doesn't seem like much,
but when your brain is racing it does get in the way.
My tip is to look at the next equation, answer the current one, and keep that
pace going. I know it sounds hard to write and not look at what you're writing,
but you will get use to it, I hope.
Anyway, you are scored on time, and each missed equation adds five seconds to
your total time. I can get 16-20 easy. I don't know how to get rocket speed.
I guess you got to do each problem at .5 seconds.
Calculations x 100 (3333c100)
This is the last test x 5. Shoot for 90 seconds to unlock Hard mode.
Reading Aloud (3333read)
Oh great, my favorite test. Listen, unless you really want to read little
phrases from timeless classics, avoid this test. You don't have to read aloud,
but whatever.
Read. Read fast. That is all I can say.
Low To High (3333ltoh)
This is a cool game. You will have only a brief moment to look at the boxes on
the screen and try to memorize where the numbers are. When the boxes are closed
you get the time to poke the boxes from low numbers to high. Easy right? Wrong.
After eight, good luck. And sometimes there is a bit of luck involved.
I have no advice for this. I guess just try to remember where the highest
number is, and then count up from the lowest. Of course this all must be done
in the period of about one second. I'm not sure if time matters, I don't think
it does.
I'm also not sure how the total is figured. If you get past eight, you did
good.
Head Count (3333head)
This test is really good. The goal is to keep track of how many people are
crammed into the little house, of course as some leave and some enter.Easy?
No. You get five chances, and the tempo is upped each time.
The trick is to interpret each group as a number value. Example: 3 in the house
and 3 enter, 3+3=6. Or: 4 in house, 3 leave, 4-3=1.
Don't let 2 coming in and 2 going out trick you, it means no net gain or loss.
Also, it is hard to keep track when more than three are moving. Just know that
the maximum number in a group is five.
Five times, and a score from zero to five, that's it.
Hard is very hard.
Syllable Count (3333syco)
This test is easy. If you know where each syllable is, and I could see how some
wouldn't, all you need to do is recognize each syllable and keep a tally of
each (whether it be mental or out loud). I get tripped up when there are a
whole bunch of syllables, so count carefully.
Speed counts here, so be quick. And each incorrect answer takes 20 seconds from
your total time.
Triangle Math (3333math)
Okay, this is how it goes: if you got two + signs, add the first two numbers
and the last two, and then add those two answers together. It is usually
addition for the first eight, and then subtraction is thrown in for the last
two. Take the minus signs as you would in normal math. Example: 5-6= (-1).
And a minus sign in the bottom will also change the second answer.
The only really hard thing about this is keeping track of both numbers as you
use both in a second equation. Basically half the equation is in your head.
Don't worry if you fudge up the first time.
Time is the factor here, wrong answers add 20.
Time Lapse (3333time)
This is really tricky. First off, remember that you are going from top to
bottom; secondly, don't get the four hands mixed up. The goal is to find out
the difference in time from the top clock to the bottom one.
I figure out the minutes hand first. I find out where the difference will put
the top minutes hand, and then find out where that puts the top hours hand. If
the hours hand is moved to a different hour, then I put my stylus on the new
hour. Then I count (not touching the screen, duh) the hours until I reach the
hour displayed on the bottom screen. I know, it sounds complex, but I really
struggled with this test until I used this system. I would usually miss by only
one hour, so it is tricky to do this from the hip.
Speed and wrong answers affect your score, have fun.
Power to you if you got something better.
Voice Calculation (3333voic)
This test is okay. The only differences from the written portion is that this
time you must say the answers, duh, and it adds division. So freshen up on your
division and you are good to go.
My only beef with this test is that is somehow mistakes my 8s for 3s. I don't
know why. It did it everytime! Weird.
*****************************************************************************
* 5. SUDOKU (4444sudo) *
*****************************************************************************
Okay, three rules for Sudoku.
Here they are:
1. All rows have each number 1-9
2. All columns have each number 1-9
3. All 3 by 3 boxes have each number 1-9
Let the game notify you when you get a number wrong, it sucks if you don't.
For Quick play, I don't recommend doing this first, especially if you don't get
how to play. Instead, go back to the main menu and choose Sudoku. Go to "How
to Play" and after that go to the tips tab next to BASIC. And then the tips tab
next to INTERMEDIATE. And then do the boxes on the top in both difficulties. If
you still don't get the picture, you need to refer to the great book, "Sudoku
For Dummies."
Actually, I learned a tip or two from the tips, who would of thought.
Anyway, don't play this on quick play, it just wastes time. Just play in the
Sudoku section, at least you will be making progress.
You are scored on time, duh, but you also take 20 minutes for each wrong answer
you make. Though it only matters if you are trying to beat high scores, as
Sudoku is not training you brain, I guess.
Not much I can say here that isn't explained in the tips sections. At least I
added a little bit, come on.
******
*Secret*
******
Finish an intermediate puzzle to unlock advanced puzzles, oooooooo!
*****************************************************************************
* 6. Unlockables/Misc *
*****************************************************************************
Here they are the, the only goals and achievements in the game. You get them by
collecting stamps. You get a stamp for doing at least one training session
everyday. One can even get a HUGE stamp if you do three! OOOOOOOO!!!!!
1 STAMP Low To High
2 STAMPS Head Count
3 STAMPS Syllable Count
5 STAMPS Tip Options (WOW!)
7 STAMPS Stamp Designer [I made a smiley face :)]
9 STAMPS Head Count *Hard*
11 STAMPS Calc. x 100 *Hard*
13 STAMPS Triangle Math
15 STAMPS Time Lapse
17 STAMPS Triangle Math *Hard*
20 STAMPS Voice Calc.
I hope those are all right. Just get 20 stamps!
For the download feature, you can battle someone in Calculations x 30.
Say, "Glasses! Glasses!" while on the main menu.
This is my second guide on GameFAQs. My first was on RE4.
Resident Evil 4 is the best game ever.
I really don't want to update, so I probably won't. But I may.
*****************************************************************************
* 7. Credits/Copyright *
*****************************************************************************
To reach me, contact me at: Russellxray@aol.com
OR: lunatic_252000@yahoo.com
Please put Brain Age in the title, thank you,
TheGum
THIS FAQ CAN ONLY BE ON GAMEFAQS/GAMESPOT! But if you ask nicely....
This guide may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web
site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation
of copyright.
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.
Copyright 2006 Brad Russell
(TheGum)
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