INTRODUCTION

   Studies have found that as we get older it is as important to exercise the brain in addition the rest of our muscle mass. Exercising the brain involves playing games which test different cognitive abilities. With the busy lives we lead, exercising is always a struggle. With a Windows Mobile device with me most of the day, it would be great to have a set of exercises I can pull out of my pocket. Spb Software House has just released a set of brain games. Brain Evolution version 1.0 helps you train your brain and track your progress from child to Nobel prize winner. Let’s see how fun it is!

WHAT’S HOT

    The main features of Brain Evolution version 1.0 are:

• Support for QVGA and VGA devices (240×240, 240×320, 480×640)
• Brain Marking mode
• Brain Training modes
• 10 development mini-games (Sudoku included)
• Hardware keys control
• Different award levels
• Knowledge base
• Support for user profiles

SETUP

    The installation of Brain Evolution can be performed with an ActiveSync Windows XP setup process or with Windows Mobile .cab files.

The Windows Mobile 5.0 installation screen. I installed Spb Brain Evolution on my 2GB mini SD card.

PRODUCT FEATURES

    Spb Brain Evolution version 1.0 includes 10 games which addresses five areas of brain training:

• Short term memory
• Pattern finding
• Calculation
• Logic
• Path-finding which is considered a combination of logic and short memory

    The Spb Brain Evolution game has two modes of operation: Brain Marking which measures your current brain status and Brain Training which improves your mind skills, as well as helps teach you how to play the games. Once you complete basic training you have access to four games, however you can only advance to the rest of the games once you have gained proficiency in the first four.

Here is the Sodoku game, the famous puzzle with thousands of levels and the Numbers game which plays faster by remembering values of already checked cells.

The Quadronica and the Guess Who games use patterns finding and short memory skills. Tapping erroneous blocks or patterns deducts points.

The Memorics and and Encyclopedia are 100% short term memory games. It tests your ability to remember different shape patterns (Memorics) and facts (Encyclopedia).
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The Minesweeper a well-known game to train and improve your logic skills. Click on the blocks, and don’t hit a mine. The Matches game is an implementation of the game children play with match sticks.

These games improve your path-finding and backtracking activities. The Balltracker by guiding the ball to the exit. The Arithmetics game uses addition and subtraction.

The games knowledge base provides interesting tidbits of information from its knowledge base.

The award level screen gives you positive feedback. There are five award levels; Child, Schoolboy, Student, Intern, PhD, Professor, and Nobel Prize Winner.

The Brain marking statistic screen on the right and a training calendar help keep you motivated.

The Spb Brain Evolution is a fun and challenging set of games to help keep your brain in shape.

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HELP SUPPORT

    Spb provides excellent support through their web form found here. There is no manual for Spb Brain Evolution, however the help screens provide detailed instructions on playing the games and using the software. I found no need for a manual.

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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

    Spb Brain Evolution is supported on Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Mobile 5.0 devices. It is a large program at 3914Kb, but I had no problems installing and running it on my SD card.

BUGS AND WISHES

    I found no issues with running Spb Brain evolution on my T-Mobile MDA. The program has a Brain Marking (training) mode which is very useful however it would be nice to have a feature that allows you to by-pass this mode and access any of the games directly without having to play at given level before a game is unlocked.

    Two other issues: first, this program doesn’t work in lanscape mode. And second, it’s only for Pocket PC users, so Smartphone users are out of luck.

PURCHASING

    Spb Brain Evolution can be purchased for $19.95 here. You can also get a trial version here.

PROS

• 
  

  Handsome graphics

• 
  

  Great help screens

• 
  

  Addictive

CONS

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  Game use is restricted to level of compentency

• 
  

  No landscape mode

• Pocket PC only
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  Cannot adjust difficulty level

Value
Ease of Use
Features
Overall

OVERALL IMPRESSION

    I am not a big gamer, but found this set of games well implemented and addictive. Spb suggests playing 5-10 minutes a day, however it is easy to spend 30 minutes. The structure of Spb Brain Evolution forces you to perfect your skill level within a game before unlocking a new set of games. The ability to adjust the difficulty level in order to advance to different games would be helpful. This would prevent novice users from getting bored with the basic four games. This is a very nice application which you can play whenever you have some deat time in your schedule and it benefits your brain. What else could you ask for.

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