PSP Lands Its Own Brain Training Game
That Dr Kawashima sure does get around. Now he is the inspiration for a PSP game Ubisoft has picked up for European release.
The mainstream success of the DS can be at least partly attributed to the rabid uptake of Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? The game was released in the UK during the normally quiet summer months, and since June it's been among the Top 10 games week after week. PSP owners will soon get a chance to see for themselves what it is that is so compelling in a new game from Sega built on the same foundation.
Mind Quiz is a new PSP game developed by Sega in Japan that is also based on the work of Dr Ryuta Kawashima - the inspiration for Nintendo's hit. It uses a nearly identical structure of daily problem solving to train your brain, but without the touch-screen functionality.
You'll be tasked with all manner of reflex, memory and judgement problems, and in Brain Age Checking Mode you'll be able to follow your noggin's improved health.
Ubisoft is banking that the input differences won't be enough to deter the throngs of Brain Training devotees. And why not - Nintendo's game has been an enormous hit, consistently selling more than 50,000 copies a week.
Mind Quiz will be out for PSP in Europe this November.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare