View Full Version : Brain train
Has anyone got one of these things? , they advertise them on TV. I wondered if you have to have a playstation to use it or if it is actualy a hand held thing ? I love things like sudoku, crosswords etc and wondered if they were worth buying ? Also would the ones you buy in the US be different to the ones here?
Jean, you use it with a Nintendo. I bought my husband one last year and he did use it quite a bit, but just does not have time presently. If you have the time the sudoku and other things are very good [msnsmile2]
Paula D-S
27-09-2007, 14:02
We have the one for use with the DS. I really enjoy the sudoku. My original brain age was in it's 80's. Now aged 39[msnembarrased] and I'm only 38[msnwink]
I think if I am correct there is a Lite version , which is presumable a hand held one ?? I already have a really good version of sudoku on the PC anyway but it looked really good, I thought it might be an excellent way of passing time on the flight over to Orlando as I very rarely watch the TV.
ds lite is the same as a nintendo ds just a new slimmer design, they are both handheld like a small notebook
Paula, i slightly beat you i started with a brain age of 79 and now i'm at 34 not bad for a 38 yr old[msnwink]
it has sudoku Jean[msnsmile]
the only annoying thing is it doesn't alway recognise what you're saying so the colour and letter puzzle where it shows red, blue, yellow etc i'm always having to repeat myself with the word blue, think it's the northern accent[msnembarrased]
They are great my 3 yougest children 5, 10 and 18 y/o's all have them and they are great for all ages, plus aduts[msnsmile2]
They are also very good for children preparing for 11+ entrance exams too[msnwink]
they are not region specific so you can buy it in the US and its fine with UK games[msnsmile]
But you can't carry it about with you then ??
Paula D-S
27-09-2007, 15:54
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Genie
But you can't carry it about with you then ??
[/quote]
You can carry them about with you Jean.[msnsmile2]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Genie
But you can't carry it about with you then ??
[/quote]
They are about the size of a ladies wallet [msnwink]
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Mach 2/2007927115843_images.jpg
Good idea to pass the time on the flight Jean but I would stear clear of doing the colour puzzles. As Mizzy says you do tend to have to keep repeating the colours and you might get some funny looks[msnwink]
Karen
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Genie
I think if I am correct there is a Lite version , which is presumable a hand held one ?? I already have a really good version of sudoku on the PC anyway but it looked really good, I thought it might be an excellent way of passing time on the flight over to Orlando as I very rarely watch the TV.
[/quote]
When our daughter came over last month she had one with her, she said it passed the time on the plane she brought it for the flight I had a go and I must admit you can get hooked.(she is 27)
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mach 2
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Genie
But you can't carry it about with you then ??
[/quote]
They are about the size of a ladies wallet [msnwink]
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Mach 2/2007927115843_images.jpg
[/quote]
Which is this one ? the nintendo lite ? or the ordinary one ?
Hi Jean,
I'm not sure if there are any spelling questions in there, but remember if you buy it here then you will have to spell like a yank.
ie. color, labor, center, etc.
That would be the only down side to getting the US version, if they have spelling !!
http://www.brainage.com/launch/index.jsp
they only really sell the lite versions now Jean, you can still get the original ds in trade in shops like "game" it's just a bit chunkier than the "lite"
there's no spelling on mine, it'a all numberwork, problem solving and reading
Pegasus928
27-09-2007, 20:14
Another great thing about these is the ability to link to other DS users wirelessly.
Before I left the UK we often used to have 5 of us in a room, all linked together and racing on Mario Kart. The kids love it and it is a good laugh for adults as well.
Just to get back on topic the Brain Training is also available on the Nintendo Wii - the format is a little different as you obviously dont sit there shouting at the TV (well - not because the game needs you to anyway) but the result is just as good
Kenny
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Frosty
Hi Jean,
I'm not sure if there are any spelling questions in there, but remember if you buy it here then you will have to spell like a yank.
ie. color, labor, center, etc.
That would be the only down side to getting the US version, if they have spelling !!
http://www.brainage.com/launch/index.jsp
[/quote]
We have the UK and US game and the only difference was the coinage the US use cents etc and the UK game uses ££££'s[msnwink]
Our son has them for his DS lite and they have now brought the brain training out for the Wii.
Just seen on 1st Oct advert for Lidel that they are doing a hand held electronic sudoku for £2.99
tezz7628
27-09-2007, 21:34
i've been looking at these recently
being left handed is it possible to enter all the details on the left hand screen
only seen the tv-ad, which don't show this, so you're saying you also give it voice commands re colours?
do all the puzzles come in left and right screen format rather than top and bottom if you see what i mean
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by tezz7628
i've been looking at these recently
being left handed is it possible to enter all the details on the left hand screen
only seen the tv-ad, which don't show this, so you're saying you also give it voice commands re colours?
do all the puzzles come in left and right screen format rather than top and bottom if you see what i mean
[/quote]
According to Louis aged 10[msnwink] when you start a brain age test it asks you if you are right or left handed and you click accordingly[msnsmile2]
Yes, the names of colours are displayed in the wrong colour (if you know what I mean? ie: <span style="color:red">YELLOW</span id="red"> and you have to say what colour the word is ie: RED[msnsmile]or what word is spelt! I cant remember which way round it is now, guess I better dig the game out and practise a little more as my brain age must be well over 100 after reading this back.[msneek] Does that make sense? I think you can skip this part of the daily training as it asks are you able to talk before it starts the section.
Karen
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by tezz7628
i've been looking at these recently
being left handed is it possible to enter all the details on the left hand screen
only seen the tv-ad, which don't show this, so you're saying you also give it voice commands re colours?
do all the puzzles come in left and right screen format rather than top and bottom if you see what i mean
[/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Genie
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mach 2
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Genie
But you can't carry it about with you then ??
[/quote]
They are about the size of a ladies wallet [msnwink]
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Mach 2/2007927115843_images.jpg
[/quote]
Which is this one ? the nintendo lite ? or the ordinary one ?
[/quote]
Lite[msnsmile2]
tezz7628
27-09-2007, 23:33
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by tezz7628
do all the puzzles come in left and right screen format rather than top and bottom if you see what i mean
[/quote]
did anybody understand this ??? :D
i understand it Tezz, the answer is you hold the game like you would hold a book open for brain training
and then top n bottom for most other games, now do you understand that explanation
[msneek]
Pegasus928
28-09-2007, 13:23
If anyone is interested I know of a place on the internet that sells a thing called the M3 DS Simply.
To put it quite simply it is a cartridge the same size as the DS games that has a memory stick (Micro SD Card) in it, and it allows you to back up all your original games, then store them on the memory stick that goes in the cartridge.
These memory sticks can hold somewhere between 20 and 30 games on each, and they also allow you to play MP3's on your DS. The cost of them is about the same as one DS game so it really is a bargain and a cracking idea that saves on the need to carry all of your games around with you where-ever you go plus you get a ready made MP3 player to boot - especially useful on a plane what with the hand luggage restricitons.
It has loads more benifits as well but I will leave you to figure those out for yourselves. [msnwink][msnwink]
If you google the M3 DS Simply you can probably find out more.
Kenny
Yes, we have these for a few different game consoles.
Karen
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Pegasus928
If anyone is interested I know of a place on the internet that sells a thing called the M3 DS Simply.
To put it quite simply it is a cartridge the same size as the DS games that has a memory stick (Micro SD Card) in it, and it allows you to back up all your original games, then store them on the memory stick that goes in the cartridge.
These memory sticks can hold somewhere between 20 and 30 games on each, and they also allow you to play MP3's on your DS. The cost of them is about the same as one DS game so it really is a bargain and a cracking idea that saves on the need to carry all of your games around with you where-ever you go plus you get a ready made MP3 player to boot - especially useful on a plane what with the hand luggage restricitons.
It has loads more benifits as well but I will leave you to figure those out for yourselves. [msnwink][msnwink]
If you google the M3 DS Simply you can probably find out more.
Kenny
[/quote]
I have just seen loads of brain train games on ebay, is there a different one for the lite consle or not? I would hate to bid on the wrong one !
Jean,
It should say which console it is for, make sure it is for the DS or DS Lite and you should be fine.
Karen
My children all the the R4 for the DS too............
Nintendo DS R4 Revolution
The R4 DS allows for more than just gaming. Now you can use watch movies, play music, browse pictures, read E-Books and more on your Nintendo DS and DS Lite!
The R4 DS is a slot 1 device (which requires no passcard) from the famous producer R4 Team. It uses a Micro SD card for low cost and high capacity while fitting nicely in your DS/DS Lite.[msnwink]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mach 2
My children all the the R4 for the DS too............
Nintendo DS R4 Revolution
The R4 DS allows for more than just gaming. Now you can use watch movies, play music, browse pictures, read E-Books and more on your Nintendo DS and DS Lite!
The R4 DS is a slot 1 device (which requires no passcard) from the famous producer R4 Team. It uses a Micro SD card for low cost and high capacity while fitting nicely in your DS/DS Lite.[msnwink]
[/quote]
It sounds very good but I wouldn't know what to get or where to get it, I wish I was a bit more tech minded ! My brother who is over 70 has just bought an ipod ! I had to ask what it was never mind anything else !! Oh dear ! I think the times are leaving me behind !!![msnscared]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Genie
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mach 2
My children all the the R4 for the DS too............
Nintendo DS R4 Revolution
The R4 DS allows for more than just gaming. Now you can use watch movies, play music, browse pictures, read E-Books and more on your Nintendo DS and DS Lite!
The R4 DS is a slot 1 device (which requires no passcard) from the famous producer R4 Team. It uses a Micro SD card for low cost and high capacity while fitting nicely in your DS/DS Lite.[msnwink]
[/quote]
It sounds very good but I wouldn't know what to get or where to get it, I wish I was a bit more tech minded ! My brother who is over 70 has just bought an ipod ! I had to ask what it was never mind anything else !! Oh dear ! I think the times are leaving me behind !!![msnscared]
[/quote]
The best thing to do is to go into a shop called Game (most high street or shopping centres have one) and ask them to show you one and give you a demo[msnsmile2]
I think you might be right ! [msnembarrased]
Pegasus928
28-09-2007, 21:31
Jean
R4 and M3 Simply are made by the same people, only the firmware is different. If you decide the buy a Nintendo DS I would be happy to DM with the details of where we bought the cartridges.
There are lots of different Brain Training games for the Ds - Brain Training, More Brain Training, Big Brain Academy, Brain Boost, Mind Quiz and MindStorm - and many more. I like Sudoku and Scrabble aswell to keep the cells active [msnsmile2]
Hours of fun - and not just for the kids [msnsmile2][msnsmile2]
Elaine
normajohnp
29-09-2007, 15:54
Hi Elaine, I have been following this post as I have been toying with the idea of getting one. Well you have all convinced me so could you please let me have the details of were you get your cartridges please. Scrabble is my favourite game so having a small handheld one would be great.
Pegasus928
29-09-2007, 19:20
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by normajohnp
Hi Elaine, I have been following this post as I have been toying with the idea of getting one. Well you have all convinced me so could you please let me have the details of were you get your cartridges please. Scrabble is my favourite game so having a small handheld one would be great.
[/quote]
I have sent you a DM with the info you need [msnsmile]
Just added The New York Times Crossword to my list of games too [msnsmile2]
Elaine
normajohnp
29-09-2007, 22:19
Wall Mart have a fab limited edition red one. Would love that but not out there till November and they are sure to have all gone by then.
The ones you buy there would work ok wouldn't they ? what about the a/c adapter , would you need to have a different one fofor the UK ? then buy the English games ? ( or whatever is it that Elaine said about ! )
Pegasus928
30-09-2007, 15:06
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by normajohnp
Wall Mart have a fab limited edition red one. Would love that but not out there till November and they are sure to have all gone by then.
[/quote]
My advise to anyone reading this would be that if you see anywhere selling the red ones - buy some just for ebay. We had a heck of a job getting hold of a pink DS Lite last year and by pure luck found an Argos store that had loads of them in. We bought 4 of them - 1 for our daughter and 3 for ebay. The money we got for them covered the cost of the ebay fees, and paid for my daughters DS as well.
Any games console (DS, Wii, PS, Xbox) that comes out in a limited edition colour suddenly becomes the 'in thing' and VERY hard to find.
If you do manage to get hold of some - and have the bottle to hold onto them - the closer to christmas you get the more people will pay (regardless of whether they agree with it or not).
Kenny
normajohnp
30-09-2007, 19:24
I just want one for me.[msncry]
Just checked the walmart site and it says no store within 100 miles of my zip code have them !!!
I have just ordered the special edition one online and it is being delivered to my MC ready for when I go in just over 5 weeks. The only thing I still aren't sure about is do you have to have a special adapter to recharge the batteries here in the UK ?? and whaere would I get one ?
Pegasus928
06-10-2007, 17:47
Jean - I have DM'd you #
Elaine
Well I have my smart new red Nintendo DS and the adaptor that is with it for charging the battery says use only this one !!! When I get it home am I going to be able to buy one to use in the UK to charge the battery there ?????
we had panic stations here when my daughter used her Uk charger in her brothers ds that we bought in florida
we thought OMG that's wrecked it, but it didn't and it worked just fine[msnoo]
strange [msneek]
Thanks Missy ! that makes me feel better ! the crimson and black edition is really nice !!
I bought a step down converter on eBay that transforms 240v to 120v.
You plug it in to the UK wall socket and then the US DS charger plugs into that.
If you search for 'Step Down Converter' or 'AC Converter' then you'll see some for about £5 + P&P.
I was going to buy a UK DS charger but this was cheaper and means any other small electronic goods that I buy when in Florida that need stepping down can also be used at home in the UK.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by brizzle
I bought a step down converter on eBay that transforms 240v to 120v.
You plug it in to the UK wall socket and then the US DS charger plugs into that.
If you search for 'Step Down Converter' or 'AC Converter' then you'll see some for about £5 + P&P.
I was going to buy a UK DS charger but this was cheaper and means any other small electronic goods that I buy when in Florida that need stepping down can also be used at home in the UK.
[/quote]
Thanks for that info will check it out !
bargainqueen
28-11-2007, 23:13
I bought a DS Lite in March from Walmart, I found an English charger on Ebay, with postage it was less than £5.
We also bought a couple more last week in Walmart, one red for my Great Niece's 21st and a pink one for her younger sister. I will be checking Ebay again to buy 2 further chargers.
timfawson
03-12-2007, 12:31
We got my Mum one of these last week woth the Brain Train game all was going well untill last night when she phoned to say that the screen was all black.
Does anyone know if the thing is broken or is this fixable ??
we've had a screen go off and half of it disappear (it fell on the floor) i would suggest checking all the basics, if it's still got a charge and switching it on and off etc and if still no joy then it will have to be returned fo repair or replacement
I have never heard of these going off. Lucy has had hers from Florida for two years and never had a problem thank god.Didn't know they came in so many colors now.