2020 is almost here. When you take a look back at the past decade, one thing that stands out is how fast technology has taken over our lives.
However, amidst all the changes, one industry that has continued to thrive, while progressing, is the gaming industry.
Just like the previous generations, Millennials and Gen Z are also surrounded by games. According to Statista, in 2016 alone, the gaming industry accounted for 17.69 billion US dollars of revenue in America alone. NewZoo further claims that there are 2.3 billion gamers in the world!
Despite how big the gaming industry is, most people think of the games as leisure for kids. Many parents ask their kids to avoid games altogether due to the supposedly adverse effects it may have! However, various researches prove that games offer many scientific benefits.
According to the Telegraph, brain training games particularly can help boost memory and reduce symptoms of dementia!
So, if you are looking to get smarter while having fun, here are some games you might want to try.
1. Super Mario Brothers
Who doesn’t love Mario?
This is one character that has remained the favorite of many across generations. While various games have come and gone, Mario has managed to stay consistent. And everyone should be happy that it has.
Why? This is because Super Mario Brothers is great for your brains.
All those who love the Italian plumber will be happy to know that playing the game has delivered various benefits to you. A neurological study was conducted to gauge the effect of playing Super Mario Brothers on neural plasticity.
Neural plasticity refers to the ability of the brain to alter with time and develop. The results of the research were astounding. It was discovered that gamers who played Super Mario Brothers for at least half an hour daily for over two months ended up with improved neural plasticity.
But, what does Super Mario Brothers have that allow them to make gamers smarter?
Well, the different levels of the game require strategic thinking, use of working memory, and need for spatial navigation. This means that the gray matter of your brain is in action.
And the more you work your brain, the more it gets improved. Also, Super Mario doesn’t just help in making one smarter. Instead, it also helps in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, neurodegenerative diseases, and schizophrenia.
2. Veggie Rabbit
Within the gaming world, strategy games are specifically excellent for improving brain functions. At the same time, strategy games are not that popular among the masses. This is because they tend to be quite challenging.
But, there are certain games out there that are relatively easy, fun, and great for the brain, all at the same time! Veggie Rabbit delivered by Unlimited Gamez Mo is one such game.
This platform has multiple other options within this genre, as well as a plethora of games of different genres. Some of them are a bit challenging, while others are a piece of cake.
Veggie Rabbit is a game that deserves to be on this list because of how fun it is. In this strategy game, the gamer assumes the role of a rabbit called Jake, who is given the task to grow vegetables. To grow them, all you need to do is tap on the empty space within your land.
But, the catch is that you can only reap the vegetables if you align three of the same together. So, before you begin planting, you need to think ahead. And this thinking is what will make you smarter.
3. Peak
Technology is linked to improving brain health. Among all other types of technologies that are playing their part, games and apps continue to be leaders in this benefit. While some games and platforms offer this advantage for a cost, other platforms offer it for free.
One such mobile app is Peak. This app is available for both Android and iOS users. The app consists of over forty games, which have been created by a team of educators, neuroscientists, and gaming experts.
The goal of each of these games is to boost the player’s cognitive skills. This includes problem-solving abilities, mental agility, working memory, attention span, and coordination. The difficulty level of the games can vary.
To make sure that the player remains motivated to play each of the games and excel in them all, Peak includes a built-in feature called “Coach” that helps in keeping you motivated.
4. Tetris
The chances are that most of you have played some type of Tetris. Ever since its creation in 1984, various versions of Tetris have been created. The game is quite simple. All you have to do is, line up a square of similar blocks in a vertical manner.
Researchers have made use of brain-activity tracking technologies to understand whether Tetris has any positive impact on the brain.
The research was conducted on adolescent girls, specifically. And it was found that those who played Tetris for over 1.5 hours per week regularly for three-months ended up having improved their brain efficiency.
Also, while the correlation is quite peculiar, it has been discovered that Tetris is also positively linked with reduced craving and improvement in weight management!
5. Lumosity
Lumosity is famous among instructors and psychologists alike. The platform is one of the most popular ones when it comes to boosting neuroplasticity and improving brain functions.
The fact that it has over 60 million subscribers, most of whom spent at least 11 minutes on the platform per active session, says a lot about Lumosity’s popularity.
So, what is Lumosity?
It is a platform that is home to forty games. Each of these games is aimed at improving a given brain function. For instance, you will find a game that is directed at improving processing speed while another will focus on enhancing problem-solving skills.
A favorite of many is the Waiter Game. This game revolves around your ability to remember names, hence testing and improving your memory. At the end of the session, the platform provides you with a personalized report highlighting your strengths and weaknesses. It then suggests games you should play next to combat your weaknesses.
The personalized reports combined with the quality and effectiveness of each of the games delivered make Lumosity worth it, even though it is a paid platform.
Ending Remarks: Pick the right games to become smarter!
One thing is for sure- playing games offer various benefits, contrary to what everyone says and believes.
Regardless of which genre you play, you can end up improving your hand-eye coordination and social skills.
But, within the realm of strategy and brain games, you can end up improving your brain functions. And this is one benefit that can make all the difference, as you grow old. How? Well, keeping your memory intact with passing years through playing games is much better than relying on medicines and doctor’s session, right?
So, make sure you play the right brain games from time to time so that you can keep your brain alert and sharp as ever.
Play each of these five games and witness the difference it makes.
Do you think we are missing out on any fun game that can help make you smarter? Let us know.
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