Level Up Your Brainpower with Video Games

Video games get a bad rap for being mindless entertainment, but the truth is that plenty of them can sharpen your mind, especially when it comes to memory. If you’ve ever struggled to remember where you left your keys, maybe it’s time to trade in those crossword puzzles for a controller.

Gaming online for fun

Can casino games help? Yes, even casino games can do wonders for your cognitive skills, especially at non-Gamstop casino sites that recently got so popular. These sites offer fewer restrictions and lots of various games where you can train your memory. Remembering patterns, tracking bets, and recognizing strategies all work in your favour. Plus, these sites are regulated outside of the UK so don’t need to follow Gamstop rules.

Minecraft: Education Edition

Since its debut in 2011, Minecraft has been more than just a game about placing blocks and surviving the night. The Education Edition takes it a step further by including learning mechanics that can help you develop spatial awareness, problem-solving skills, and, most importantly, memory. Remembering where you stored resources, planning elaborate structures like Minas Thirith, and recalling crafting recipes all require a sharp memory. Plus, the game’s open-ended nature keeps your brain engaged by encouraging creativity and long-term planning. That’s a lot of cognitive benefits wrapped up in a pixelated world.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

Nintendo has a knack for creating games that are both fun and educational, and Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain is no exception. Released on the Switch, this game features a series of mini-games that test memory, focus, and quick thinking. One moment you could be memorizing a sequence of numbers, the next you’re recalling the placement of objects–it’s like a gym for your brain, minus the sweat. The competitive aspect also makes it engaging and pushes you to outthink your opponents.

Civilization 5

Ever tried managing an entire civilization from the ground up? Civilization 5 makes you do exactly that, and it’s not for the faint of memory. Released in 2010, this strategy game requires you to remember complex diplomatic relationships, military strategies, resource management, and historical events within their game world. Don’t go around forgetting where you’ve placed your army because that can mean disaster. The more you play, the better your recall skills become, making this a game that teaches history as well.

Tetris

The idea that Tetris improves memory isn’t a speculation, it’s science-backed. Psychologist Richard Haier suggests that regularly playing Tetris can lead to cognitive benefits, particularly in memory retention. Some studies even indicate that playing Tetris can help reduce the risk of PTSD by preventing the formation of traumatic memories. Those falling tetrominoes aren’t just addictive, they’re secretly training your brain to recognize patterns and remember spatial arrangements more effectively. This is a skill that becomes very useful later in life, particularly if you work in warehouses.

Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!

Another Nintendo creation, Brain Age, is all about keeping your mind sharp. The game challenges you with puzzles, math problems, and memory exercises designed to stimulate cognitive function. One of its key memory-based activities requires you to remember sequences of numbers or solve mental calculations. These mental processes reinforce short-term and long-term memory. The game promises to make your brain feel younger, but even if that’s a stretch, it certainly keeps it active.

Portal 2

If ever there was a game that required thinking outside the box, it’s Portal 2. While primarily a puzzle game, it forces you to remember complex environmental layouts, portal placements, and button sequences. One misstep and you’re back to square one–so remembering past mistakes and successes is important. The game has a humorous narrative and brain-bending mechanics.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild is, to some point, about battling enemies and cooking up strange dishes, but it’s also a test of memory at every turn. The open-world nature of the game means you must remember vast landscapes, hidden shrines, NPC locations, and quest details. You can train your memory here by trying to recall which ingredients create the best meals or where to find the best weapons. Navigating Hyrule can be an interesting mental marathon.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Few games demand as much memory retention as Skyrim. Here you have countless side quests, character interactions, dungeons, and lore, so forgetting a vital detail can mean missing out on major story elements. You need to recall which potions you crafted, where you last saw a key NPC, or which dragons you’ve already fought. Every playthrough strengthens memory by forcing you to track complex storylines and interactions.

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey

If you’re looking for a game that makes you feel like a history scholar, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey is the perfect pick. Released in 2018, this open-world RPG set in Ancient Greece asks you to remember vast amounts of information. Some of them might be locations of hidden treasures, quest details, enemy patterns, and even real historical figures. Each questline waves into the grand narrative, and you’ll find yourself trying to remember what were your choices hours (or even days) ago. Beyond memory, it also enhances strategic thinking as you decide how to approach battles and political intrigues. The sheep depth of its world makes it an excellent game for those wanting to improve memory through immersive storytelling and exploration.