We view games, especially those you experience from a screen, as solely living in the recreation world. But that’s not necessarily true. Even games designed for fun can be great for helping us think laterally through concepts, though, of course, some are better than others.

But what about brain training? Can video games help with that? Many studies have concluded that games that inspire lateral and creative thinking are often very good for building grey matter and agility. 

So, waking up in the morning or relaxing at night with a brain training game can still be a great means of unwinding and a productive life helper that helps you feel satisfied with your life choices. But enough preamble; let’s get to the good stuff. What are the best brain training games to play?

Sudoku

If you’ve heard of brain training games, you’ve heard of Sudoku. This number-placement puzzle demands careful logical thinking and pattern recognition. Better yet, it’s appropriate for all skill levels. Beginners can start with easier puzzles and gradually work up to more complex ones. Many excellent websites and puzzle books are out there to help you along that path. This progression can provide a sense of accomplishment early on, so you don’t get scared away and feel interested in improving instead.

Chess

What hasn’t been said about Chess at this point? It’s considered the “thinking man’s game” for a reason. It requires players to think several moves ahead, guessing their opponent’s actions and planning to pre-empt them in advance. It’s also one of the only thinking games where unbelievable child prodigies can become household names, and that’s because, despite the rules being largely the same for each match, there are untold methods and styles of play to enjoy.

Logic Puzzles

Generic logic puzzles can take many different shapes, and that might include grid-based deductions to word problems. Such puzzles challenge the mind to make connections and draw conclusions based on given information. They can be riddles, for example, or even test questions. Solving them requires a careful, step-by-step approach, which is excellent for breaking down complex problems. For example, you might share a detective mystery with your friends or family or download apps that provide you with a logical problem each day. That allows you to constantly mull over interesting problems and see how close you came to a solution.

Memory Games

Memory games have been proven to help with short-term to mid-term recall, which allows you to enjoy a very tangible and real-life benefit. Classic card-matching games are a great illustration of this, but they can come in different forms, too. 

For instance, some memory games can include visual elements, potentially enhancing visual memory. Video games can sometimes be worthwhile here, as enemy positioning, mechanics recall, and more help with information processing. 

With this advice, you’ll find a great brain-training gaming experience that will not only unwind you but potentially make you a more capable human.

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