Nintendo clearly learned a lot from the DS when designing the Wii, with its unique control system and ultra user friendly interface. It?s not just the hardware which bares comparison though, with Nintendo planning a similar range of unusual software, some of which can barely be described as a video game at all. Big Brain Academy on the DS was the less academic of the two brain training games released, testing your grey matter in five separate areas categorised as "Think", "Memorize", "Analyze", "Compute" and "Identify".Only three mini-games have been shown so far for the Wii version, the first presenting you with three numbered blocks and a total that you have to reach by adding two of them together. Your job is to knock the one you don?t need out by wielding the Wii remote like a hammer. The second game is a variant of spot the difference, except with inverted and distorted pictures where you have to place the missing elements in the second image. The third mini-game displays two towers of bricks where you have to punch holes in one so that it exactly matches up to the other.All three games are played against an opponent, which implies that all or most of the other games will be too. Since you can also use your Mii character this is certain to be a multiplayer favourite for just about anyone in the family. So even if it doesn?t improve your brain power it should at least ensure you remain happy in your ignorance.
HARRISON DENT