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    N64 Month - Click here for all our exclusive features celebrating 15 years of the Nintendo 64

    Nintendo Special | Cubed

    on 13.07.2006 at 23:21 User Icon Posted by Adam Riley (Adam Riley) Number of Comments Comments: 16 Number of Reads Reads: 28667
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    Cubed3's Brain Training Diary
    Adam Riley :: 12th June-11th July, 2006


    How Old is YOUR Brain?

    Dr. Kawashima appears to have taken over the world. Just like Alexey Pajitnov's Tetris struck the right chords in the hearts of gamers around the world from the 1980s onwards, Ryuta-san's ideas about how to train people's brains have transformed the world of gaming as we see it. Now those that had never even looked at a game before are being tempted, lured towards picking up a DS, all in the effort to bring their brain age down to the youngest possible state (the ultimate aim being '20).

    Cubed3 reviewed the training programme back when it was first released here in Europe on 11th June and since it hit the streets it has emulated the success found in Japan. Over in the Land of the Rising Sun the first product has sold roughly 2.5 million copies since launching in May 2005, whilst here in Europe it has already racked up a pleasing 250,000 units in just one month. But how does it hold up over time? Does the whole novelty start to wear thin or is there such a lasting effect that it is difficult to put down? Adam Riley took on the challenge to see if he could train his brain to be closer to his real age of 24 (ignoring the mental age of about six for a few days...). Read the results of this exercise below in his Brain Training Diary...

    Let the Games Commence!

    12th June, 2006: Well, I have just got back from a three-day festival on the Isle of Wight. Headline acts of Prodigy, Foo Fighters and Coldplay...Totally knackered from the whole experience and the ferry trip / drive back from Southampton to Manchester, but hey, why not give this baby a whirl? Okay, it is asking me to do an initial brain age check, which involves shouting out the actual colour of the words that appear on the screen, rather than the words themselves. Quite tricky at first, and reminds me of when I was younger trying to do tongue-twisters like 'Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry' repeatedly, increasing in speed. Anyway, after finishing this test (called 'Stroop Test), it seems that my brain is a lowly 47 years old! Not good, but then again not bad considering the state I am in and the fact that now, at 8:30am it has been over a day since I last slept! Moving on, I learned how to play Sudoku for the very first time ever! Can you believe that? So far I had avoided the craze...It is quite challenging, but great fun! I worked my way up to 5% complete before succumbing to the dream world. Oh, and I was asked to draw Africa purely from memory...nice.

    13th June: Okay, day two and I got back from a long day at work, fell in and out of sleep more than I should have and am now going to do brain training at 10:15pm after eating and watching Brazil scrape a victory against Croatia. So what is my brain age tonight? 48?? WHAT??? I know I am tired, but that is ridiculous. I had to do Word Memory, which drove me crazy as I found it too hard to remember all the words. It is kind of like the Generation Game

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    Number of comments 7701

     L100 C3 Master

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    (and to wipe the smug smile from John / Hazukisan's face after he mocked me during the podcast!)


    Good to see my natural brilliance helped you battle against the natural decay of your brain Smilie
    on 13.07.2006 at 23:26
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     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    Let's see you get to 24, settle into a full time job, get your own house, get married and STILL manage to keep your brain from being slightly frazzled! Smilie :alien:

    Anyway, this diary seemed like a good idea at the time...perhaps it'll just bore the hell out of people, though Smilie

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
    on 13.07.2006 at 23:28
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    Number of comments 7701

     L100 C3 Master

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    Let's see you get to 24, settle into a full time job, get your own house, get married and STILL manage to keep your brain from being slightly frazzled!


    True True

    But nice diary, great read.
    on 13.07.2006 at 23:29
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    Number of comments 202

     L21 Shy Guy

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    Very good, informative witty and in depth.
    on 13.07.2006 at 23:34
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    Have N64 back. Untold joy.
    Number of comments 11558

     L100 C3 Master

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    Great read Adam, I really enjoyed that. Make sure you keep training your brain though, otherwise it might get stupid again Smilie
    Trying to think of a witty signature after 'Hacker-gate'...
    on 13.07.2006 at 23:42
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    is spinning plates.
    Number of comments 10036

     L100 C3 Master

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    I enjoyed it too, great work. I've not played in days, I'm probably in my 50s now after being in my 20s (and on 20) for a few days running. It's a good game, but despite the advice of it only being played for 20 minutes or so a day, it does get boring.
    on 14.07.2006 at 00:49
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    jb

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    Reply Quote  #7

    C3 awards...coming soon! Rendered some odd looking trophies lol
    Number of comments 15978

     Managing Director, Founder

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    Awesome read, and a good idea too! Love the banner, brains and looks eh!
    on 14.07.2006 at 01:24
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    Guy With The Mug
    Number of comments 3544

     L85 Ganon

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    I am getting worse day by day. Brain is too small.


    [:: Lee Sanders :: Cubed-3 :: News Reporter :: Writer :: Head Of Secret Operations:: Resisdentual Slacker ::]

    On Twitter = LeeTSanders

    I have a Cubed3 limited Edition mug!
    DO YOU!

    So Cute - bit.ly/yIEgXv
    on 14.07.2006 at 07:34
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     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    Thanks guys - glad you enjoyed reading it Smilie

    It'd be great if more readers would get involved by telling us their brain ages! Smilie

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
    on 14.07.2006 at 19:34
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    Raff

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    Reply Quote  #10

    Retired Quote Tower Engineer
    Number of comments 11789

     L100 C3 Master

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    You look like my mate's dad.
    It's going to be shit and you jolly well know it.
    on 14.07.2006 at 20:15
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    Zapp

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    Reply Quote  #11

    {- User No: 2107 ~ Join Date: 03.12.2004 22:41 -}
    Number of comments 6370

     L100 C3 Master

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    RAZ is that you!?!?! I think ive seen you before in the train!?!?

    BRAWL CODE:
    "Dan~ 3566-2989-8366"

    on 14.07.2006 at 22:49
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     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    So much for people contributing with their own brain ages! Smilie

    Anyway, that picture is about four years old now Smilie And I don't use the train... Smilie

    Perhaps people could also share their brain weights from Big Brain Academy?

    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
    on 15.07.2006 at 16:29
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    .
    Number of comments 7701

     L100 C3 Master

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    I unlocked the voice calculations the other day, is anyone else having problems withdoing it in a regional accent?
    on 15.07.2006 at 17:02
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     Operations Director, Senior Editor

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    I unlocked the triangle maths, but really don't understand it...(care to explain?)...so haven't gone back to it since Smilie

    EDIT: Actually, going back to it, I realised what to do. Anyway, given the game away now to my step-father as a belated Father's Day gift. So it's time for my brain to grow old again...

    ( Edited on 16.07.2006 20:38 by jesusraz )


    Adam Riley [ Operations Director :: Senior Editor :: Cubed3 Limited ]

    Word of Adam | Voice123 Profile | AdamC3 on Twitter
    on 15.07.2006 at 17:10
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    Guest

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    Reply Quote Edit   #15

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     L1 New Born

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    My syllable count record is 37 seconds, anyone care to beat that?
    on 30.06.2007 at 21:31
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