Science Proves Mental Exercise Works

Many of us have believed it, but scientific evidence has been sparse. Now some studies have come out with encouraging data to show that giving your brain a workout really does work. Not only do memory-oriented mental exercises help improve memory, but they can increase your ability to reason and problem-solve.

See this article for an easily understandable synopsis of the one in the reputable scientific journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

We’re talking about a validation for playing a lot of the games we wanted to play anyway. So shove all guilt aside – play your heart out, and smarten up!

The Best Cheap DDR Mat

So you want to play DDR, and you even got a game – but you need a dance pad. Or perhaps you have one, and want another so a friend can join you. What should you do for a mat that won’t break, and won’t break the bank?

There are plenty of poorly made, cheap vinyl ones around. Some are poorly made and expensive! At one time it was possible to find some good mats made by companies other than Konami, such as the one RedOctane used to make. (Of course, there are the expensive foam and metal mats. Some of those are poorly made too.) These days, it seems the only well made, low-cost dance pads are those that come included with a game.

So here’s some advice for anyone looking for an inexpensive dance pad: buy a game bundle which includes one – you’ll get a great mat, plus a game! And if you need a second mat? Get another bundle!

Wii Fit Fits the Bill

So now that Wii Fit is out in Europe, we’re wondering just how well it’s liked. Is it fun enough to keep you playing? Does the balance board work well? Is it really exercise?

The verdict is in: YES on all counts.

In North America, anticipation is high, with pre-sales soaring to number one at Amazon. Other stores taking pre-orders are also peaking. By the looks of it, there are going to be a lot aching muscles – and smiling faces – on the May 21st release date!

Dance Dance Revolution

Before Wii Sports, before Wii Fit, there was a game that got people moving – do you remember it? Dance Dance Revolution! There’s no doubt that DDR is a great way to exercise both body and brain, while having so much fun you won’t notice the workout.

Dance Dance Revolution is available for most game consoles. It utilizes a special controller mat, or dance pad, with an up, down, left and right arrow. These correspond to arrows which cross the screen to the songs in the game. You coordinate your steps on the pad with the music and the pattern on the screen. The beginner level leads you through learning the moves.

Every song has a variety of difficulty levels, indicated by number of feet. This makes is easy to choose according to ability. There are modes which score you, and modes in which you compete with another player. The exercise mode does not keep score, but it will tell you how many calories you have burned!

It should be noted that there are adjustments which can make gameplay more accessible than might be expected. You can remove the steps which make it necessary to jump. You can choose to step on the main beat only, creating a less jarring workout. You can select faster songs or slower songs – it’s up you.

There are enough versions of DDR to make a head spin if you are trying to choose. You may be tempted to get one with more of your favorite songs, but you’ll find the DDR Extreme editions, which use music specially made for the game, work best.

Although the crest of the DDR wave may have passed, for many people the beat goes on. It’s not hard to see why! It is destined to remain a cost-efficient – and enjoyable – exercise program.

Prism: Light the Way Review

The music is repetitive, and the graphics verge on dismal. But is Prism FUN? Absolutely!

The premise of Prism: Light the Way for Nintendo DS is simple. The Glowbos desperately need light, and they’re picky – they can only use their own colour. The Bulboids have arrived bearing light, but they’re not quite smart enough to get the job done. You and your stylus must save the day. All you need to do is arrange the supplied mirrors and prisms so all the light is delivered properly!


Don’t be fooled by the ease of the first levels of the main puzzle mode. They quickly become more and more challenging; you’ll be glad they’re not timed. Solving the more difficult ones can burn a good deal of brain power. You may even be reduced to rounds of trial and error. Thankfully, hints are provided for the first 40 levels – for the last 80, you’re on your own.

There is a timed mode, as well as several others, including competitive or co-operative multiplayer.

You may not play this game for hours on end, but you will find yourself coming back to it again and again whenever you need a fix!

May we Suggest Conceptis Puzzles?

Eventually, even the most ardent lovers of Sudoku will want to expand their horizons. But what else is there with the same appeal for those who enjoy that style of logic puzzle?

With it’s variety of free puzzle-type games, www.conceptispuzzles.com is a virtual goldmine for logic fiends. The games are updated once a week, providing a continual fresh supply. Unfortunately, my experience is that they don’t seem to work well with Firefox. Internet Explorer, no problem – just register and play! Instructions are clear and easy to use.

The best feature of the site, as far as I am concerned, is the online Fill-a Pix. The basic logic puzzles are considerably easier than the advanced ones, so you may want to start there.

On the lighter side, I enjoy the online Link-a-Pix - the colour ones are generally easier, but none are hard.

You’ll find some unique versions of Sudoku, as well as Kakuro and Slitherlink, as well as a few others which you may or may not be familiar with. Many of these need to be printed.

Have fun checking them out!

Mario Kart Wii commercial

Have you seen the North American commercial for Mario Kart Wii? Don’t let it turn you off the game!



For some reason Nintendo decided to market to a limited audience instead of maximizing on the broad appeal of the Wii. It’s a great commercial for those who grew up watching cartoons in the 80's – but highly annoying to everyone else.

Why didn’t they use one of the other great commercials they’ve already been running in other countries?

A look at Wii Fit

With all the concern for health and fitness, the soon-to-be-released Wii Fit is bound to fit into your lifestyle. The use of a balance board controller to stand on allows you to perform a daily exercise program and do other fun stuff, like snow boarding. It turns exercise into a game and will be good for your whole family!

Live Search Club: Free Games, Free Prizes

At times we have featured free online games. Well, here’s something that’s better than free – Microsoft’s Live Search Club actually offers prizes for playing. You need to register, but that’s it.

The dozen or so mostly word and trivia based games need no downloads. You are encouraged to use hints, hence the ‘search’ part of the club name. A set number of ‘tickets’ are awarded for completing each round. Once you have enough tickets, you redeem them for a prize chosen from the available list.

Does it really work? All we can say is that it’s worked for us! We have received a Microsoft Zune and a wireless controller for the Xbox 360. The prize list is updated from time to time, so available choices vary. You can also donate tickets to a favorite charity.

Whether you go for prizes or not, you’ll find these free games to be very enjoyable challenge.

Tap into GameTap

If you were to ask which game system to get, we’d ask if you have a half decent computer and broadband internet. Because that’s all you need to sign up for Gametap. For not much more than the price of a single console game, you’ll gain access to over one thousand games for a whole year. Or, if you’d rather pay nothing at all, you could use Free Play mode. Over one hundred complete games – not demos – are available, just by registering.


Gametap Gold (the paid version) features over one thousand games, and they are always adding more. The variety is almost unbelievable. You’ll find anything from classic arcade games, to brand new releases of every genre. A great selection of family and educational games is included. This is the ultimate in family friendly, with parental controls should you desire, plus – every account permits up to seven subaccounts, so multi-computer households can spread the love!

If you decide to try Free Play, the only limitation is the reduced selection. The games are changed from time to time, giving more variety.

With its choice of free or paid plans, no-hassle online cancellation, and excellent customer service, Gametap is bound to fit into your lifestyle.

Coming Soon: Mythos, Free and Online

You’ll want to check out Mythos if you play casual games and are interested in something more. It’s a good step up from games like solitaire and Peggle. Of course it has lots of depth, so we also recommend it for more serious gamers.

Mythos is an online action role-playing game. While that may sound intimidating, the game play is basically: click to move around and click to fight bad guys. After creating your own character, you set off into the fantasy world. You are trained as you play, with all needed information incorporated throughout. As you defeat enemies and complete quests, your character becomes stronger and learns new abilities. You can get some cool clothes and weapons along the way.


Because this game is played online, you will find yourself in settings with other real people. In spite of this, most of the time you can play alone. But you may find it’s more fun to play in a group, something you can choose to do. You could, for example, team up with a friend who lives far away, chatting as you adventure together.


Right now the game is still being tested. In the near future, the game will become available for anyone to play. We’ll let you know when.

Best of all this game is FREE! So why not give it a whirl?

10 Best Puzzle Games for Nintendo DS

We’ve ranked these DS puzzle games with one factor in mind: FUN. Remember, these are just our opinions. Let us know what you think!


1. Picross DS

This series of challenging puzzles will keep you busy for hours. Use step-by-step logic to fill spaces in a grid and unveil a picture. Relaxing and rewarding. Check out our review.







2. Planet Puzzle League

This game’s slow start is your chance to practice creating combos and chains – skills you’ll need as things speed up. Play against your records, or compete wirelessly with local friends and online challengers. The many modes will keep you satisfied.





3. Professor Layton and the Curious Village

You will enjoy exploring this mysterious village, solving a glorious variety of brainteasers as you go. It’s an adventure game, studded with unique puzzles and intriguing dilemmas. Please see our review for more detail.








4. Meteos

Drag blocks vertically to line up three or more of like color and they launch off the top of the screen. The games are fast-paced and short, but the content is meaty and the space theme is interesting. The original version plays better than the Disney one.






5. Tetris DS

If you like Tetris, you’ll enjoy this well-made version. You’ll find the basic mode we all know and love plus many more exciting options, including online multiplayer.







6. Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

This is more than a clone of Bejeweled. Story and role-playing aspects, as well as complex and varied puzzle elements, make this a sure-fire thrill.








7. New York Times Crosswords

Crossword puzzle players will love this quality digital version of genuine New York Times puzzles. Losing the mess of paper is a plus, and the puzzles are just as challenging. Modes include wireless play with friends, either co-operatively or competitively.






8. Bust-a-Move DS

Shoot bubbles to join those at the top of the screen; connect three or more of the same color to make them fall away. It’s fast paced and addicting, a must-try for those who have never played before. This version is well done, adding optional touch screen controls.






9. Prism: Light the Way

Arrange mirrors and prisms in the playing field to direct light from Bulboids to the Glowbos. This gets harder as the puzzles progress; you will be very glad there’s no clock on the main mode. A multiplayer mode adds variety.







10. Polarium

Draw a line over a grid of dark and light tiles to flip them and form horizontal lines which disappear. Try to remove the whole array at once. You can make your own puzzles and share them with friends.






Click to buy these games

Professor Layton and the Curious Village Review

Travel to the quaint village of St. Mystere with Professor Layton and his young assistant Luke.
Your primary objective is to solve the mystery of the Golden Apple, but along the way you will investigate a string of strange crimes and odd events. But playing detective is only a part of the story. Everything hinges on finding and solving a wonderfully varied collection of brainteasers. You will need to apply logic and reasoning, as well as out-of-the-box creative thinking.

The game is a simple role-playing adventure with a mystifying story and even more mystifying puzzles. It’s relaxing in that time is never an issue; take as long as you’d like to solve any problem! Hint coins discovered along the way can help you through the more troublesome spots, or you can choose to return to a puzzle later. You can’t make any wrong turns during your explorations, and you won’t need to fight any dragons.

This is a game which can be played in short spurts if necessary. Save your progress so you can quickly pick up from your stopping point. If it has been awhile since you’ve played, you will be particularly thankful for the brief review. You’ll want to return until you have solved the last mystery – and then you’ll be glad for the weekly puzzles available by wireless download.

Stylus use and an excellent in-game tutorial make this game a good choice for the inexperienced. A very smart ten or twelve year old may enjoy it, especially since it is not essential to do every puzzle. But the most brilliant puzzler of any age is bound to do some prolonged head-scratching over the hardest ones. Most players will be thrilled to know that two ‘sequels’ are in the works. It is possible that an extreme adrenaline hound may find this type of game too slow-paced.

You can go to the official website for a more complete overview – including a playable demo.

Buy Professor Layton and the Curious Village

PopCap game sale!

PopCap is currently having a sale on a few of their games. You can still try the games before you buy them. Check out their Spring Cleaning Sale.

75% off:

• Iggle Pop

50% off:

• Astro Pop
• Heavy Weapon
• Mystery Solitaire
• Rocket Mania
• Talismania
• Venice

Mario Kart Wii Preview

Mario Kart is a racing game anybody could love. Nintendo has had a version for just about every game system they have created, each a great success. Later this month the Wii version, simply titled ‘Mario Kart Wii’, will come out in North America and is expected to continue the positive trend.


The biggest difference with the new version is that it comes with a steering wheel shell. The Wii remote is positioned inside the shell, allowing you to control with a steering motion - something many people have been inclined to do, even with older controllers for which this did not work! While the game has always been well-suited to those who are not serious gamers, this new feature will make it even better.


And why would you want to play? Because this game, as you would expect from the Wii, is easy to learn and fun to play. Best of all, it is perfect for families and groups of all ages.

Look out for our review later this month.

Kart, Mario, Wii, preview

Regarding the Wii

Everyone - and their mother - has heard about the Nintendo Wii, and we mean that literally. The cross-generation reach of this system has been much publicized. And unless you never watch the news, you are already familiar with the ‘therapeutic’ value of the active game play. There is good reason it has become so popular.

Unfortunately, all too many people end up buying a Wii, playing the Wii Sports game which comes with it - and that’s it. When someone does decide to buy a new game, they often end up buying one of the many bad games. In the midst of this flood of poor quality games, there are a few gems, and more on the way. We will discuss some of these in the future.

Something not everyone is aware of is that you can buy games directly through the console using a wireless internet connection. These are considerably less expensive than games sold in retail stores. Currently you can get ‘Virtual Console’ games, which are re-released older games - sparks of nostalgia for those for those who played them in the past. But soon ‘WiiWare’ games will become available. These are new games which will appeal more to new gamers and take advantage of the Wii motion controller.

You can’t go wrong buying a Wii - if you can get one. Right now the demand is high. You can’t just walk into a store and expect to find one on the shelf. We recommend asking a store clerk when they will restock. This is usually weekly, depending on the store. Some stores stockpile their rations, then offer them all at once as a featured item. In any case, once you find out when they will be available, you would do well to get there early.

A Nintendo Wii may be a challenge to get, but once the challenge becomes playing the games, you will be glad you made the effort.

Nintendo, Virtual Console, Wii, WiiWare, games

Peggle Review

Peggle is one of PopCap's bestsellers ever, and the instant you start to play you’ll know why. You are welcomed with a cheery screen and enchanting audio. The game depends on just the right combination of skill and luck to keep you hooked. To play, all you do is shoot a ball into an array of colored pegs. The ball bounces between the pegs in a motion resembling pinball, collecting points for each hit as it drops. The pegs you have hit will disappear. Most rounds consist of trying to knock off all the orange ones before you run out of balls.


The Adventure Mode leads you through ten multi-leveled stages of unique play, introducing different colored pegs with varied rewards. Any level you beat can be replayed in Quickplay Mode, and since the peg array is randomly generated, the action is always fresh. In Duel Mode, you play against an opponent - either the computer or a friend - by taking turns on the same screen. Challenge Mode, which remains locked until you have conquered Adventure Mode, provides a nearly endless run of expert play.

What's the best thing about Peggle? It's the slow-motioned suspense when you are about to eliminate the last orange peg - or will you? It's the explosion of "Ode to Joy", when you actually are victorious. It's the last little wait, hoping your ball will land in the best bin, and that glorious revealing of your final score.

Peggle is the kind of game you can play in the midst of life’s commotion. You can pick it up quickly, and put it down just as fast - provided you ever really want to!

Peggle, PopCap, review

How to Download, Play and Purchase a PopCap Game

Downloading a PopCap game is easy! But for some people who are new to computer games and have never done anything like this before, we thought detailed instructions might be helpful. If you are totally unfamiliar with PopCap Games, read this article.

First, let’s start with navigating the website. When you get to the homepage at www.popcap.com, you will see a list of bestsellers. This is a good indication of the games you are likely to prefer, and you may never need more. But if you are curious, you can click on the ‘FIND A GAME’ button to get a list of other selections. There are also tabs which open new pages with more specific options; you may find them useful once you learn your way around.


There are two options available to try most games: download a trial or play online. Both of these ways are free, but if you want to have the full game experience, you will eventually need to buy.

Online play is a good way to take a quick peek at a game without having to download and install it. It is also nice to use if you are away from home and don’t want to do a download. Once you click the ‘PLAY ONLINE’ button, the game will start to load. This shouldn’t take long. You will need to watch a brief advertisement before you can play. You can play as long as you'd like, but you must stay online. Visually the game is nearly identical to the downloadable version. The basic gameplay is the same too. However, the screen is small, which may send some reaching for glasses. There is also very limited game content, with fewer levels and modes.

If you have a choice, we would recommend going with the download option. As we said, the download trial is free. Most trial versions are limited to an hour of play. Others allow you unlimited time, but have reduced content. The advantage of trying a game like this is that you play full screen, with more modes and saves included. It is important to understand that when you download a game for trial, you have actually downloaded the whole game - you do not need to download anything else. To remove the limitations from the rest of the game, all you need to do is pay! If you decide to buy the game, all progress achieved during the trial play is saved. You can either return to the website and click on ‘BUY NOW’, or simply click on the prompt when you exit the game.

Although internet connection is required for the entire time you use an online version of a game, for a downloadable game it is needed only during the actual download, and again to purchase and register the game, should you decide to do so.

Downloading is slightly more complex than online play, but is well worth the effort. Here are some very basic steps to help you, although you may not even need them because it is pretty straight forward:

1. Pick a downloadable game and click on it - remember, choices from the bestseller list are recommended.


2. Click on the ‘TRY FREE’ button.


3. You will need to enter your email address if a box requesting it appears. We recommend signing up for the newsletter if you have not yet - more on that later.


4. Click ‘DOWNLOAD NOW’. (Sometimes this step is skipped.)


5. Click on ‘RUN’ - the game will download. Follow the installer instructions, and you are set.


6. If ‘RUN’ is not an option, click on ‘SAVE’ instead - this will start the download. After the download is complete, you will need to go to your desktop and click on the PopCap icon. The installer will start; follow the directions.

If you decide to purchase a game, you will be sent to the shopping cart. Simply fill in the billing info. You will receive a confirmation email which includes an order number and/or a registration key. This number is what you need to unlock the full version of the game. Click on the ‘REGISTER NOW’ button, fill your number into the appropriate blank, and click on ‘REGISTER’. You should return to the game to make sure it has been processed properly. Click ‘CONTINUE’ to play.

We should mention that some of the games are available on CD-ROM for a small additional fee. These also require registration to be unlocked.

Signing up for the PopCap newsletter is a good idea because they often have special offers that really are worth looking into.

So take the time to check out PopCap. You may find it’s a habit hard to break.

download, How to, PopCap

An Introduction to PopCap

For those who play casual games who are still not familiar with PopCap, it’s about time that changed. Ever since they appeared in the year 2000, PopCap has led the way in downloadable games.

Their best offerings, such as Bejeweled, Peggle and Zuma, are simply a lot of fun! They are well designed, with obvious attention paid to all aspects of sight, sound and motion. A quality game should lift the player into a world which is both satisfying and stimulating – and these games are sure to take you there. Some people feel that PopCap games have therapeutic value.

The variety offered by PopCap has become extensive, and is constantly growing. Many of the games are puzzle or action oriented, rather slow logic games. They have some great word games, and also some “I spy” type adventures. Although there are some games which are less appealing than others, you can easily find the best for you by using the free trial or free online play.



Even if you have played PopCap games before – and likely you have – you will want to check out their site often. They are always coming up with something new.

downloadable, introduction, PopCap

Picross DS Review

You don’t want to miss Picross DS (for Nintendo DS) if you’re looking for a puzzle game to give hours of relaxed enjoyment. It relies on a logic process similar to the hugely popular Sudoku - and is likewise a numbers game with math skills not required. Well, you do need to count - at least as high as twenty, and very basic addition helps. But for those who can do that, you will find yourself challenged by the step-by-step deductive process.

Using sequences of numbers bordering a grid, you fill-in or blank-out squares. The successful completion of a puzzle results in your reward - a simple picture, which animates if you beat it in the alloted time. The game's easy to learn, but the difficulty increases as the grid size grows.

Several modes are available, including Daily Picross, which is a self-challenge you can play only once a day, and My Picross, which lets you make your own puzzles. And, as long as you have a wireless internet connection, you need never run out of puzzles, since there is a virtually endless supply of downloads.




To learn more, you can go to the official website of the game. You will find a good tutorial and explanation of all the features - everything you want to know before you buy.

We should mention that some of the advance level screens can be a bit hard to see, but there are magnifying options.

Picross DS is not a good choice for most children, but if you like crossword or logic puzzles, or can’t get enough of Brain Age, there will be no regrets for trying Picross DS. You will be sure to find it worthy of adding to your game collection.

Buy Picross DS

Welcome!

If you are one of the thousands of people who have dabbled in casual games and have found yourself wanting more, you've come to the right place.

If you want trustworthy reviews, or are looking for unique suggestions, you'll find them here.

If you have never had an interest in games yourself, but are searching for a gift, you will find some useful insights.

This is where emerging gamers come to learn about the most enduring games of the past, the best of new crop and the most anticipated developments of the future.

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