The original Brain Age was one of the first titles to fuel the "non-game" movement that is loved by millions worldwide and has helped carve a new niche audience within the masses of gamers. A multi-million copy seller, Brain Age saw success with older gamers, younger gamers, hardcore gamers, casual gamers, and even non-gamers. Now, a little over a year later, Brain Age 2 is out and eager to set your synapses firing and give your brain a workout once more.

Brain Age 2 doesn't play with the simple formula that Nintendo established in the original, but they did go to great efforts to keep the package from feeling stale. There isn't a single training exercise that has been recycled from the first Brain Age and new wireless multiplayer modes have been added into the mix. In addition the new training exercises and the multiplayer support (up to 16 players on one cartridge), Brain Age 2 also sports a vastly improved voice recognition system, 100 new Sudoku puzzles, and the same $20 budget price tag. So, that gives a little bit of an idea what is in the package, but how well does it all work?

In my opinion, the training exercises in Brain Age 2 are noticeably better and more enjoyable than those found in the first game. Not to say that the original had poor exercises, it's just that Brain Age 2 has exercises that are more challenging, better designed, more responsive, and more effectively taking advantage of the DS hardware features. In what is sure to become everybody's favorite exercise, you play rock, paper, scissors against the computer; but there is a twist. First of all, you can see what the computer has already played, so you know what you need to speak to win. Secondly, you'll sometimes have to lose intentionally, and it's not easy to do when you're trying to be fast. Thankfully the voice recognition works well, so each time you spit out the correct answer, you're rewarded with a nice chime. Those that were frustrated with trying to get the voice recognition down in the first game will be much happier this time around. Other exercises include word scrambles, memory challenges, visual identification, math problems, and even some musical challenges.

As you play the exercises you'll feel yourself straining mentally to do things faster and more accurately. After all, it is in speed and accuracy that Brain Age 2 measures your performance. Just as in the first Brain Age, Brain Age 2 will keep track of your overall progress via a number that is labeled as your "Brain Age." The lower your Brain Age, the more healthy your brain is according to Nintendo and Dr. Kawashima. It sounds a little hokey, and it might be partially my mind playing with me, but after a few days "training my brain," I seem to have a bit of a clearer mind and a more focused train of thought.

While some may find the idea of another installment in the series a bit of a play to extend the life out of a once novel idea, I feel that as long as Nintendo can keep the training exercises fun and interesting that there's no reason to put an end to the series; especially if the price is at a very consumer friendly $20. I realize that many people out there looking for a traditional gaming experience will be turned off by Brain Age 2, but those that are open to new experiences or a different use for their DS than killing bad guys should be very pleased. With the added multiplayer support, the new set of exercises, and a bunch of new Sudoku puzzles, Brain Age 2 is a nice title that belongs in every DS owner's collection.