Avanquest Software has announced the soon to be released Junior Brain Trainer for the Nintendo DS. Unlike other brain games, Junior Brain Trainer is aimed at children aged 6 – 11 years old. The games are geared towards skills that age group is developing. The training helps build skills in reading, writing, spelling, maths, geometry, logic and problem solving.

I would guess the biggest problem in creating a brain training game for a child is you need to keep them interested in the game. Most children are not interested in learning when they are on a video game device. Junior Brain Trainer claims the game is designed to keep the childs attention.

The game is structured to have children play each day and spend a short amount of time on five different skill areas. Once the five different skill areas have been completed, the gamer is rewarded by opeing more content to play.

Junior Brain Trainer is set to be released on Dec. 5.

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Frogs in Love sounds like a strange name for a game, but that is exactly what it is, a game. Boomzap has done it again and combined many different styles of casual game play into one giant game. Hoyle Enchanted Puzzles was a game from Boomzap that did that same thing, but this time around the games are a a bit different in game play.

The games included in Frogs in Love are matching, hidden object, brain challenges, and even dancing games. The reason players are encountering all these different games is to get enough coins to be noticed by their love, the princess. Players travel through different ponds, playing different games to earn coins and impress their love.

Games that include many different style games into one game are great. There is enough variety to keep the gamer interested throughout the entire game. Not to mention, more players are drawn in by the variety because they are sure to like one or more than one of the different game styles. Players can really feel like they got a good deal too, since they have access to a variety of games for their money.

Frogs in Love is available from Boomzap and soon major portals. Be sure to check back for my review of Frogs in Love.

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There are probably not too many people out there that haven’t seen a For Dummies book. The For Dummies how to manuals are those black and yellow books that explain just about everything in life from databases to dating. Now EA and Beanbag studios have teamed up to take that idea a step further and are creating games based on the concept of the For Dummies how-to books. The games will be released for the PC, but will make their way to the Nintendo DS too.

The first game available is Poker For Dummies featuring Texas Hold ‘Em and is available through Pogo.com. The game features instructions on how to play a few different poker games, but the most popular one is Texas Hold ‘Em. The other two games are Omaha and Seven-Card Stud.

EA is not stopping at Poker For Dummies featuring Texas Hold ‘Em, they plan to release Solitaire For Dummies in September, Brain Training For Dummies in October, and Sudoku For Dummies in November and there are more to come in 2009.

Some of the For Dummies games make sense, for instance Poker For Dummies featuring Texas Hold ‘Em. Texas Hold ‘Em is a complicated card game and there can definitely be a lot to learn in regards to betting and raising and all those concepts. I don’t understand Brain Training for Dummies. The brain training games usually have clear cut instructions on how to complete the levels and most the time it just takes practice. Not sure what a For Dummies game will explain about brain training.

Thanks Gamespot

The following games are available from Game Du Jour this week. The games are all offered a significant price cut, which is represented by the percentage after the game name.

Monday July 28 Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet 40%

Investigate this unique blend of seek and find and puzzle games combined with an all new tale from America’s #1 storyteller, James Patterson! In this thrilling page-turner, take on the roles of a homicide detective, a medical examiner and an ace crime reporter to solve a series of ghastly murders in San Francisco. Featuring nine investigations, brain-bending puzzles and a spine tingling, all-new storyline, Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet will have you racing to the finish to discover the killer!

Tuesday July 29 Azgard Defence 60%

Azgard Defence is an unique strategy game, where you must build a line of defense to protect your home – Azgard – from hordes of dangerous creatures. Choose wisely among fifteen tower types, upgrade them, combine them, find the most effective placement combination and earn as much as you can. Azgard Defence is a superior of all Tower Defense games, combining addictive gameplay with unique features. As always, we bring you great graphics and polished gameplay.

Wednesday July 30 B-Intruders 2: Circle of Extinction 50%

B-Intruders 2: Circle of Extinction is a Space Invaders clone with a lot of new features. You not only have to destroy a large army of aliens but you also have to save people and protect buildings with totally crazy weapons. B-Intruders 2: Circle of Extinction is a real treat for all action lovers!

Thursday July 31 Gemstars 50%

Gemstars is a simple “Match 3″ game, involving Stargems which must be shattered so they fall and form a beautiful, brand new, sparkling Gemstar. Spin the puzzle and drop Stargems in to break groups up, and watch them collapse into the Gemstar. Any Stargems they were supporting will fall into their place. If they drop and form a group of 3 or more, they break apart as well – boosting your bonus multiplier!

Friday August 1 Brain Freeze – The Meltdown 50%

Brain Freeze is an extraordinarily fun game that exercises your logic and memory. So, if you have a momentary lapse of brain function and lose the game, you can say, “Oh… I just had a Brain Freeze!” The object of the game is to match the pictures hidden behind the game pieces on the game board. You can only display two pictures at a time. If they do not match, as shown in the sample, the pictures will be hidden again.

Saturday August 2 Gubble HD 50%

Gubble HD is a family-oriented computer action game. Utilizing 3D technology, the game is designed to be fun for people of all ages. You are Gubble D. Gleep, the youngest of an alien family. Your mission in Gubble HD is to take apart a bunch of structures by finding tools and using them to remove all of the screws, nails, bolts, and other hardware. The structures are swarming with various creatures and obstacles for you to overcome while you work.

Sunday August 3 Forest Mob 60%

Forest Mob is a fun and addictive shooter. Test your skills in 3 cartoony levels and battle against the forest mobsters! The game has 3 difficulty levels suitable for all players. Forest Mob also features some RPG elements that provide greater replay value. For the more conservative players there is also a classical game mode

If you see a game you like, head over to Game du Jour on the right day and pick up the game dirt cheap.

Got Game Entertainment announced the release of MindHabits a brain training game for the PC or Mac. MindHabits is based on the research findings of Dr. Mark Baldwin. Playing the different levels in the game help give players a more positive state of mind. MindHabits can be used to reduce stress, boost self-confidence and even improve work performance.

MindHabits debuted with an online version at the Games for Health Conference. People at the conference enjoyed the game. The version for the PC and Mac contains many more levels than the online version, which means more play time.

“We hear so much about the negative impact of games, but here is scientific proof that games can also have the very real ability to create a positive impact,” said Got Game Entertainment President Howard Horowitz. “We are definitely proud to bring this expanded version of ‘MindHabits’ to an even wider audience.”

MindHabits is set to be released in August 2008.

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