Dr. Kawashima defects to PSP, 'Brain Age' becomes 'Mind Quiz'
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Oct 3rd 2006 at 4:35PM }
The DS's beloved mascot is moving on. The ever-jovial Dr. Kawashima is taking his "brain age" circus and heading for greener pastures, hoping to score big-time on the ungrazed PSP platform.As Brain Trainer, the title has been burning up the sales charts in Japan, and now Ubisoft will deploy Sega's newly tagged Mind Quiz across Europe in November. Overseen by Dr. Kawashima, players will test their calculation abilities, reflexes, and memory in a series of bland mini-games, culminating in a "brain age" score.
Nevermind that it's Brain Age without the touch screen, blazing through simple arithmetic is just ... So. Much. Fun! (And we hear it makes you smarter.)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Supino @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:42PM
nothing can save the PSP at this point. I own one by the way.
Judd @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:44PM
NOOOOOOO! Doctor how could you!
Pip @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:44PM
Greener pastures? I don't think you know what that means. Like all five owners of the PSP are even going to bother with this.
[-Z-] @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:45PM
PSP is doing just fine. Fine as in ..emm Gamecube's fine.
MetaHuman @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:45PM
I thought it was a different series inspired by the same series of studies, or is it actually the same license of the DS version?
:( I wanted Prof. Kawashima in Smash Bros. Brawl. Now it's back to the generic Ego Orb.
K-money @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:45PM
This sucks, i agree with #1. no matter how many games they put on the psp, unless it is a mind blowing game, it wont hold up. And Brain Age with out a Touch screen, come on now!
Miniboss @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:46PM
Clearly, he made too much money off of the last one.
ill trooper @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:47PM
"Et tu, Brutus-san?"
While 'touch input' is not a totally essential element, I think this game is going to lose something a little unique by going to a system without a touch-screen. The input of numbers on the math and soduko segments will definitely slow down your results...
TiVo @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:49PM
Let him go.
1. PSP owners who discounted this million seller as not being a "Real Game" will suddenly praise it and count it IF it boosts PSP sales.
2. When the game fails to sell he will come running back to DS and Wii but the Big N will already have their own new Brain Games and tell the good doctor to go "F" himself.
3. How the heck do you train your brain with those time sensitive puzzles with buttons and a hokey fake analog thingy?
P.S. I own a PSP(even before I ponied up for a DS) but I gave it to my nephew who hasn't touched it either since I bought him a black DS. He was also one of these PSP rules DS sucks folk but I heard him in the kitchen the other day training his puppy on Nintendogs.
Player1 @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:49PM
I got a PSP because I DIDN'T want games like this.
x @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:51PM
Brain Age without a touchscreen is going to be pretty much worthless.
KR @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:01PM
#2 - "Greener pastures? I don't think you know what that means."
No, I think YOU don't know what it means. The "greener" pastures are paved with money.
I'm a douche @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:02PM
I own a PSP and the only thing I use it for now is to validate comments I make against it and to yank porn out of thin air.
Brain Age without a touchscreen? That's like taking an algebra test with your thumbs!
darryl @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:04PM
I wouldn't buy this... there are inumerable titles I'd rather be playing than this crap. If I wanted to "gets more smarts" I'd buy a DS, right?
BPM? @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:10PM
Not too surprising, really. It's not like the Doc had any allegiance eto Nintendo to begin with. Satoru Iwata met with Ryuta Kawashima to discuss how to turn his Train Your Brain book into a video game. They were looking to make something new that would appeal to both gamers and non-gamers alike.
Brain Age isn't a concept originated by Nintendo, but by Dr. Kawashima.
It only makes sense for him to take his idea to as many platforms as possible (given the runaway success Brain Age for DS was).
The PSP game (Mind Quiz) seems to be a prettier version of Brain Age, but with different mental exercises.
Heck, it even kinda mimics the "DS on its side" look:
http://www.pro-g.co.uk/psp/mind_quiz/screenshot-3.html
And it calculates your Brain Age:
http://www.pro-g.co.uk/psp/mind_quiz/screenshot-2.html
But... where's the Doc? All I see is cute, anime-styled girl... Not that it's a bad thing...
Oh, and by the way... I own a DS, not a PSP. But if I did own a PSP (and I plan to someday), I would pick this up.
Lost @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:31PM
This isnt the same games that are on the DS... This game is made by Sega, and is published by Ubisoft. Get it together Joystiq.
Komrade Kayce @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:34PM
It doesnt make sense to put this game on the PSP. The PSP should be bringing out more powerhouses (like the new mgs:ops omfgiwillbuyapspnow), not this.
And I dont even own a PSP, Ive got a DS w/ Brain Age.
Pip @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:48PM
"No, I think YOU don't know what it means. The "greener" pastures are paved with money."
This is a joke right
Zero @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:51PM
I picture several Sony reps using shovels to fling giant piles of money at him until he agreed to this.
You know, like how they got Soul Calibur III exclusive for the PS2.
Aex @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:01PM
If this version costs 20$ like the DS version... I'd go ahead and pick it up
Zed @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:59PM
glasses glasses
? X ? O @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:05PM
Multiple choice? Weak.
Johnmazz @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:05PM
That trator...
Mister Disco @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:26PM
There is no pasture greener than the DS. You must be smoking something :)
page @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:42PM
Aex,
If it's anything like the DS variant it's not worth your money. If it was free and you had nothing better to do, then maybe.
fawazr @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:56PM
Way to unnecessarily spin an article there.
Kawashima is an advisor for a Sega title for the PSP. The title draws from his work and research, but is not Brain Training. Nintendo tapped Kawashima for a game. They didn't actually lop his head of and place it in their systems. He's free to work for anyone. On top of that, he admittedy dislikes videogames so it's not like he would have the preexisting loyalties to "defect."
page @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:42PM
Supino,
The PSP has totally buried the GameBoy, GameBoy Advance, GameBoy Advance SP and GameBoy Micro. It does not need to be "saved" it is doing great!
Informer @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:05PM
page,
In the US, the Gameboy advance is still taking the PSP to school. So, yes.. it needs a bit of saving.
page @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:21PM
Informer,
You're misinformed.
Informer @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:33PM
Page,
You are a blinded rabid Sony fanbot.
US August NPD sales figures
NDS - 278,000
PS2 - 262,000
360 - 204,000
GBA - 156,000
PSP - 146,000
GCN - 41,000
XBX - 9,000
Wiggymaster @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:22PM
Bwahahahaha...
Man... does Sony have to copy *everything*?
Sony: Hey, Sega! *grabs Sega by the neck*
Sega: *shiver* Wh-What do you want now?
Sony: The DS is kicking our butts! Copy Brain Age and put it on the PSP!
Sega: Bu-bu-but Nintendo is our friends now! We're putting old Genesis games on Wii, a-a-and..
Sony: SILENCE! *slap* Remember what we did to Dreamcast? REMEMBER?
Sega: P-p-please don't hurt me!
Sony: Make the game! We don't care about your image, just go get some French guys to publish it if you're so worried! You will help us, or say goodbye to your PS2/3 licences!
Sega: ..a-a-are we going to be paid?
Sony: DREAMCAST!!!
Sega: *screams* *wets pants* s-s-sorrry!!!
[-Z-] @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:41PM
HAHHAHAA good one wiggymaster...
pLuXxEl @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:57PM
So... this means there's no Dr. Kawashima for Smash Bro. Brawl???
What a shame...
Andrew @ Oct 3rd 2006 9:22PM
Is that August Xbox 360 sales figure (204,000) significantly larger than that for July? I'm wondering how much impact the one-two-three punch of Dead Rising, Saints Row and Madden had on console sales.
LaughingTarget @ Oct 3rd 2006 9:29PM
This version is going to lose a lot of its value when compared to Brain Age. The touch screen is absolutely critical for this title. Without it, just about everything turns into a multiple choice test, which is probably the worst test imaginable to determine if someone knows something or not. Speed math is no longer a possibility, various counting exercises become either hunt and peck for the right number, slowing the player down, or a multiple choice, which are, again, bad for determining a level of knowledge.
This entire thing stinks of a bad move.
JAC @ Oct 3rd 2006 10:07PM
I'm sure they'll continue making sequels for the DS, they just want to try and score some extra $$$ on the PSP as well, dunno if they will be able to, Brain Age must suck without the stylus and touch creen.
page @ Oct 3rd 2006 10:09PM
un-Informer,
Your numbers are rather daft and you know it. 156,000 is not the ammount of GameBoy Advances that were sold in August, in fact it's rather difficult if not impossible to even buy a GameBoy Advance these days as Nintendo pretty much put it to sleep once they launched the GameBoy Advance SP then GameBoy Micro. I'm not sure why you're so insecure as to blatantly lie about such things but I'm eager to find out.
x @ Oct 3rd 2006 10:19PM
lol page
The Dude @ Oct 3rd 2006 10:44PM
lmao, nice one Wiggy
Jonn @ Oct 4th 2006 12:23AM
#37: Both of which are catagorized as GBAs. Denial what.
impact24 @ Oct 3rd 2006 11:14PM
Page,
I think those GBA sales from the NPD figures are inclusive of GBA-SP and GBA Micro.
I guess it depends on a persons perspective if the PSP is beating the GBA/GBASP/GBAM if they consider the GBA variants as one system or not.
JRM @ Oct 3rd 2006 11:12PM
For all they do, and all the $$$ they put in, sony is always a step behind (in ideas anyway).
Adv2k1 @ Oct 4th 2006 12:01PM
I would so sell my Brain age if this actually comes to pass and isn't just a rumor or "japan only".
Jason Anderson @ Oct 4th 2006 1:12PM
Page.. seriously. The PSP is doing horribly despite what you and Sony want people to think. Get over it.
I've been trying to figure out how to get rid of mine for a while. I haven't bought a game for it in almost a year now. I just brushed off the thick layer of dust yesterday to make sure it still worked.
pixelator @ Oct 4th 2006 1:05AM
God, look at all the WHINING by the PSP-hating, peed-in-pants DS freaks. Amazing. One game dev wants to do a PSP game, and the ensuing screeching could be heard all the way to Japan.
The great Spoiled Bratbase of the Internet: DS fanboys.
vakerorokero @ Oct 4th 2006 1:59AM
sounds like a trick to me. What better way to compare the DS and PSP than bringin a game like Brain Training? Sony, just block this from release! think about a laughter it will bring!
Bobi @ Oct 4th 2006 2:18AM
Ha Ha, page got pwned!
She seriously thought that the original GBA would be be included in a sales chart and not the SP or micro.
Talk about blind Sony fanperson!!
free computer games? > @ Oct 4th 2006 2:18AM
Strange. I'm certain the DS's brain stuff did well because of the demographic of the hardware owners (a mixed bunch from kids all the way up to oaps). Those older folks who wanted it probably found the DS and almost "impulse buy" at it's price.
I can't see these same types of folk owning or justifying the cost of buying a PSP. And the owners of PSPs are very unlikely to want to play this stuff I reckon.
And the lack of touch screen makes it an obviously inferior product. See Nintendo looked at their hardware and said "How can me make use of this in an innovative way", whereas Ubi/Sony have said "how can me clone a game on our portable system even though it isnt' suited to it!".
foobob @ Oct 4th 2006 6:49AM
"blazing through simple arithmetic is just ... So. Much. Fun!"
Sega invented a way to make profit out of math training. Math teachers finally allow GBs at school...
Wolfkin @ Oct 4th 2006 7:59AM
dude page is totally right the PSP is killing all sorts of Nintendo systems like GBA, Gameboy Color, SNES, and no the SP and Micro don't count because the PSP hasn't have a spinoff yet so we can't count the Nintendo spinoffs.