Brain Games
Encyclopedia
Brain Games is a compilation of memory video games released by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600
in 1978. It was programmed by Larry Kaplan
, and it featured a series of memory-related games, most of which required players to repeat from memory certain sequences or patterns.
It is a group of memory games, in which the player is faced with outwitting the computer in sound and picture puzzles. It can be played as either a one or two player game. In place of using the standard joystick, Brain Games utilizes the 12-button keypad controller. In 1978, the game sold for $19.95, and remained roughly the same price in the next few years.
Brain Games has been suggested in the 1984 book Clinical Management of Memory Problems as an effective clinical device for memory retraining exercises. Noted for having a variety of useful games, patients would be faced with auditory and visual cues that may improve spatial reasoning.
"Touch Me", which was the video version of the 1974 arcade game
of the same name, was the precursor for the handlheld game Simon
, in which the player must match a sequence of tones, and the computer would add a new note upon each successive turn. This continues up until the player completes a 32 consecutive note execution. In "Find Me", the player must detect subtle differences in the figures as they are flashed on the screen; in "Picture Me", the player must memorize the placement of the picture sets, which the computer then rearranges. "Count Me" requires the player to match a sequence of digits played by the computer; upon correctly ordering the digits, the computer adds a new digit to the sequence. "Add Me" also utilizes numeric digits as part of the challenge, although the player must determine the sum the digits presented by the computer. Finally, "Play Me", which turns the 12-button keypad controller into a musical instrument, allows players to play the songs "Happy Birthday to You
", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
", and "Three Blind Mice
". If two keypad controllers are plugged in, the players can play a duet with "Row Your Boat
" as well. Adding to the timed challenges are "diabolical distractions", such as loud noises.
Atari later released a handheld version of "Touch Me".
, saying that it was reminiscent of "those cognitive learning tests given to first graders". The reviewer went on to say that Brain Games was "not my idea of a good time". Skyler Miller of Allgame
gave 2 out of 5 stars, stating that Brain Games would "challenge and hopefully entertain you".
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
in 1978. It was programmed by Larry Kaplan
Larry Kaplan
Larry Kaplan is an American video game designer and programmer. He initially worked at Atari and was responsible for a lot of their sales. Due to the lack of recognition for his work, he left Atari and became one of the five co-founders of Activision....
, and it featured a series of memory-related games, most of which required players to repeat from memory certain sequences or patterns.
Background
Programmed by Larry Kaplan, Brain Games was manufactured by Atari, Inc. and released in 1978.It is a group of memory games, in which the player is faced with outwitting the computer in sound and picture puzzles. It can be played as either a one or two player game. In place of using the standard joystick, Brain Games utilizes the 12-button keypad controller. In 1978, the game sold for $19.95, and remained roughly the same price in the next few years.
Brain Games has been suggested in the 1984 book Clinical Management of Memory Problems as an effective clinical device for memory retraining exercises. Noted for having a variety of useful games, patients would be faced with auditory and visual cues that may improve spatial reasoning.
Gameplay
Featuring a total of 19 games, the catalog of Brain Games included a variety of memory games where the player must focus on a series of ciphers, symbols, and musical notes. Each game has several options for altering the "difficulty switches", which add different aspects of challenge and have the following progression:| Game | Variants |
|---|---|
| 14 | |
| 58 | |
| 910 | |
| 1114 | |
| 1518 | |
| 19 |
"Touch Me", which was the video version of the 1974 arcade game
Touch Me (arcade game)
Touch Me is an arcade game first released by Atari Inc. in 1974, and later as a handheld game in 1978. It can be described as a Simon-like game that involves touching a series of buttons that light up and produce sounds. The player must observe a sequence of blinking lights and repeat the...
of the same name, was the precursor for the handlheld game Simon
Simon (game)
Simon is an electronic game of memory skill invented by Ralph H. Baer and Howard J. Morrison, with the software programming being done by Lenny Cope and manufactured and distributed by Milton Bradley. Simon was launched in 1978 at Studio 54 in New York City and became an immediate success. It...
, in which the player must match a sequence of tones, and the computer would add a new note upon each successive turn. This continues up until the player completes a 32 consecutive note execution. In "Find Me", the player must detect subtle differences in the figures as they are flashed on the screen; in "Picture Me", the player must memorize the placement of the picture sets, which the computer then rearranges. "Count Me" requires the player to match a sequence of digits played by the computer; upon correctly ordering the digits, the computer adds a new digit to the sequence. "Add Me" also utilizes numeric digits as part of the challenge, although the player must determine the sum the digits presented by the computer. Finally, "Play Me", which turns the 12-button keypad controller into a musical instrument, allows players to play the songs "Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
"Happy Birthday to You", also known more simply as "Happy Birthday", is a song that is traditionally sung to celebrate the anniversary of a person's birth...
", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is a popular English nursery rhyme. The lyrics are from an early nineteenth-century English poem, "The Star" by Jane Taylor. The poem, which is in couplet form, was first published in 1806 in Rhymes for the Nursery, a collection of poems by Taylor and her sister Ann...
", and "Three Blind Mice
Three Blind Mice
Three Blind Mice is an English nursery rhyme and musical round. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 3753.-Lyrics:The modern words are:-Variations and uses:Amateur music composer Thomas Oliphant noted in 1843 that:...
". If two keypad controllers are plugged in, the players can play a duet with "Row Your Boat
Row Your Boat
Row Your Boat is a drama about a recently released ex-convict trying to correct his life written and directed by Sollace Mitchel. It was released in 1998, and in 2001 on home video. The film stars Jon Bon Jovi of rock fame, Bai Ling, and William Forsythe...
" as well. Adding to the timed challenges are "diabolical distractions", such as loud noises.
Atari later released a handheld version of "Touch Me".
Reception
Brain Games received an "F" from The Video Game CriticThe Video Game Critic
The Video Game Critic is a website focused on video-game reviews and run by David Mrozek. It was established in 1999, and is known for featuring comprehensive reviews on many early gaming platforms.-History:...
, saying that it was reminiscent of "those cognitive learning tests given to first graders". The reviewer went on to say that Brain Games was "not my idea of a good time". Skyler Miller of Allgame
Allgame
Allgame is a commercial database of information about arcade games, video games and console manufacturers.Allgame is owned by All Media Guide, along with Allmusic and Allmovie....
gave 2 out of 5 stars, stating that Brain Games would "challenge and hopefully entertain you".