How old is Iwata's brain?

by Ross Miller { Mar 31st 2006 at 12:55PM }

Answer: 27.

Is this just another example of the mad scientists working at Nintendo, bending space and time beyond the scope of normal physics? Is Iwata a cyborg? Neither; at age 45, Iwata claims he has brought his brain age down to a fitter 27. In an interview with MTV's Stephen Totilo, Iwata continued to push his message of seeking out non-gamers with products like Nintendogs, Brain Age, and the upcoming Nintendo Revolution. Nintendo's president noted that while one can expect the "classic Zelda [and Mario] experiences," Nintendo will also develop games for people "who haven't played games before...who [may] only play for very short periods of time in a day."

We wonder if these "addictive, but simple titles," as discussed in the recent CNN piece, will be available through the Virtual Console, as opposed to "normal distribution methods" which cost the consumer more.

Brain Age will land on US shores April 17th.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Robert @ Mar 31st 2006 1:23PM

Isn't it just that your brain gets better at playing that specific game instead of getting "younger."

VF @ Mar 31st 2006 1:24PM

I hope Nintendo has some crazy marketing scheme up their sleeves, because I don't see how this will work any other way. Maybe Iwata should go on Oprah or something and test her brain power.

Shagi @ Mar 31st 2006 1:35PM

* COUbullshitGH *

Ed @ Mar 31st 2006 1:37PM

"Now, try to look intelligent" said the photographer...a comment completely lost on the subject who was checking out the dirty screensaver playing in the background.

Princess Zelda @ Mar 31st 2006 2:05PM

VF The Brain Training game costs $19.99 and it also comes with 1000 Sudoku Puzzles. That's enogh for me to buy it and I'm sure plenty of kids will have their DS stolen by their moms so she can try it out. But I hope Nintendo are running commercials on Oprah at least :P

Jago @ Mar 31st 2006 2:21PM

@ VF:

They won't need to. In Japan when the game was still a WIP, they gave copies to Nintendo employees to take home and have their parents, friends and others who normally wouldn't buy a DS or play games.

The outcome? The Brain Training series has been selling like crazy among adults over there. I forsee something similar happening elsewhere in the states.

Paul @ Mar 31st 2006 2:46PM

Actually, VF, that's an insanely good idea. If Reggie could get booked on Oprah, test her brainpower, and everyone in the audience gets a DS lite with Brain Training(and throw in some other game as well, maybe Tetris), that could do gangbusters for Nintendo.

Doom3 @ Mar 31st 2006 4:12PM

You guys are right the us has many "ways of entry" into the markets of the older crowds. I mean if you can get this to the democarates and the republicans and get them in on the act also then it's pretty much hands down about to be the best selling game ever. I mean It would have been so much funner to that a ds to class to take a test i've been praticing for in my spare time. I mean I spent so much time getting better at different games in my life, Why shouldn't a software company make money off that? You can't underestimate the rush you get from really getting good at some thing... Which is the biggest draw of video games...

benjamin @ Mar 31st 2006 4:19PM

I happened to mention this game while speaking to my 45-year old, non-gamer mother about a completely unrelated subject: Alzheimer's disease (we are both nurses). I thought it was interesting to note that MSNBC ran a report about a Japanese game that could delay the onset of the disease.

When she asked more about the game I could only tell her that it had a game called Soduku, which I hadn't heard of at the time. She went on the internet and found out more about the game and has been waiting eagerly for a U.S. release date ever since.

My point is that I think word-of-mouth more than enough advertising than this game needs, especially given the amount of DSs that are out there. Even without advertising, though, parents are going to see that on the shelves when they go to Wal-Mart and their interest will be piqued.

Seriously, how many moms who are shopping for healthy, non-violent games for their 12-year olds are going to see this game on the shelves? Won't the phrase "Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day" catch thier eye? Then they'll see the price... and that's that.

I'll bet this game will be huge here in the U.S.

Rhine @ Mar 31st 2006 5:15PM

Can you only get this game online of will I be able to buy it at a brick and mortar store I actually just started playing Sudoku today and found it engaging

benjamin @ Mar 31st 2006 5:50PM

Rhine: several stores, including Wal-Mart, list it as an upcoming offering. So, yes, I think you can get it at brick and mortar stores. I can't find any indication to the contrary.

Leto @ Mar 31st 2006 6:08PM

I might get a DS just for this game.

L @ Mar 31st 2006 6:40PM

I was at GDC last week when Nintendo gave copies of Brain Age to everyone who attended their keynote and I've been playing it everyday for the past week. Testing your brain's age and trying to best your results for the previous day can be quite addictive. And Sudoku, which i'd never played before i got the game, has just consumed me.

In short, I highly recommend this game, especially since its only $20.

Jago @ Mar 31st 2006 7:00PM

@ L:

"And Sudoku, which i'd never played before i got the game, has just consumed me."

Same with me...in fact I had never even heard about the game until seeing a display for it at the store, Linens N Things.

I borrowed a copy from a friend and for the short time I had it, I couldn't put the game down. I can't wait for this to come out...I'm gonna have to have my parents try it out as well.

orokana usagi @ Apr 1st 2006 8:21AM

So here's the thing, VF, Shagi and Robert: depending on whether or not this game involves a randomized system (as opposed to a set series of questions) so you can't just "get better at the game," this could actually work. It would be the same as any reflex training- as you keep playing, your mind is training to work faster at catching little things. For instance, I heard from Penny-Arcade.com that one of the questions is actually a picture of the word "yellow," but it's in red print, and you're supposed to identify what color it is as fast as you can. Depending on whether you're more of a left-brained or right-brained thinker, this sort of question will be easier or harder, so I'm sure they mix it up a bit between the two. Anyway, the point is, this looks like it's a game to train your mental reaction speed, and I really think it could not only work, but would definately sell with the non-vg crowd, especially those who believe that crosswords and sudoku keep their minds "sharp": they'll want in on this.

Ellen Morris @ Apr 1st 2006 9:49AM

I'm 55 and read about this game in another online article. I thought "Great! I'll just dust off my "GameBoy Advance" that my kids gave me a few years ago."That's when I realised that it is for the DS system. SO,when I buy it, the game will cost me only $19.95 PLUS the $120.00 or so for the new improved double screen Nintendo.Excellent marketing ploy- finally pitch a game to the Baby Boomers demographics with more disposable income than those 14 yr. olds! Way to go NintendOLD!

Jeff @ Apr 1st 2006 9:52AM

I've caught myself playing all the old 8-bit Nintendo games (Zanac, Super Mario Bros 1 and 2, P.O.W., Bayou Billy, etc.) along with games on the Genesis and N64 over the past year or so. Gamers like me grew up with games like this. There was an "A" button and a "B" button and that's all you needed. Now, there are so many buttons on these mew controllers and move/strike combinations that I'm practically dead before I can even figure out how to kill the opponent!

If anyone can remember this code: U,U, D, D, L, R, L, R, B, A, "select" "Start", you're an old school gamer like me and know which game this code is good for!

Keep the mind young.. play the games you used to on the old school systems. News alert- old school systems only cost about $10, same with the games, and they bring back memories and entertainment like you were 14 again and do an even better job of keeping one entertained than some of these new shooter games!

benjamin @ Apr 2nd 2006 3:01PM

@Ellen:

Whoa! I can still smell the sarcasm in the air...

I have a few observations.

First, it worked in Japan. Brain Training drove DS sales way up over there.

Second, you're glad they are finally marketing a game for the baby boomers, correct? But you're upset it's for the new DS? The Gameboy Advance has been around for years and years now. An update of the hardware was an absolute necessity if Nintendo were going to stay in business.

You wouldn't expect Dell, for example, to remain profitable, or existent for that matter, without making new and improved computers every once in a while would you?

Given that, why would Nintendo release a new game for an old system? Not only that but how many baby boomers own a Gameboy Advance like yourself? The DS has been marketed towards a variety of demographics. The Gameboy was made for and marketed to children.

So you tell me what the advantage would be for Nintendo to sell a new game marketed at an old system who's demographic doesn't even match the product?

Jago @ Apr 2nd 2006 5:51PM

"News alert- old school systems only cost about $10, same with the games"

On what planet dude? I've been re-buying old systems on eBay and in smaller game stores and NONE of the older systems cost $10 for a complete system. You are going to spend AT LEAST $20 and that is on the rare side. Games can easily run you well over $10 as well.