"Brain Age 2" released for Nintendo DS

Nintendo has launched its second release in the burgeoning world of brain games in effort to attract non-gamers to pick up the controller. Brain games are designed as exercise for our grey matter based on the notion that our neural systems are constantly changing throughout life and that effective instruction can actually alter brain function.

The launch from Nintendo of "Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day" follows on from the success of Brain Age which sold 8.61 million copies worldwide to men and women of all ages from students to seniors. "The point of the original Brain Age was to jolt users' brains out of complacency by challenging them with a variety of fun activities," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day expands the benefit and gives you mental tests you've never tried before," he said.

Brain Age 2, available now for use with the portable Nintendo DS , has 15 new activities including rock, paper, scissors; repeated subtraction of a small number from a larger one; playing notes on a virtual piano keyboard and 100 new Sudoku puzzles. The game is designed to provide entertainment for everyone, no matter their age or prior experience with video games.

Brain Age 2 retails for US$19.99 and is also available bundled with a new dual-toned Crimson/Onyx Nintendo DS Lite for US$149.99.