Mega Brain Boost is Majesco Games' latest attempt to hop on the brain-training bandwagon. Users test their memorization and quick reaction skills in a number of mind-numbing puzzles. Upon looking at the box, you're given a big promise – this package features three games combined into one package. The two previous Brain Boost releases, aptly named Beta Wave and Gamma Wave, are here, along with a series of new puzzles to solve. Unfortunately, while they appear to be stimulating at first, none of these games hold up over a long period of time. We got bored well within the first hour.

Most of the games in Mega Brain Boost utilize the Shichida Method, putting the right side of your brain to use. It's a bit odd that Majesco didn't do anything with the left side of the brain, as other brain-training games (such as Nintendo's Brain Age series) do. The activities work in two different fields – math and memory recognition. If you're not recognizing shapes and trying to draw the straight line to them, you're adding up change or counting dots. These games don't really vary that much, which means you'll probably get sick of them that much quicker.

The game also lacks in any kind of rewards system. Instead of receiving a progress report going into specific areas where you need improvement, you're stuck with a percentile that notifies you of your right brain strength. Hey, great, the right brain's sitting at seventy percent. So... how do we improve it? Do I play through the game again? With no indication as to what to do next, we would not call this a smart move.

Don't bother looking for a sharp presentation, as Mega Brain Boost simply doesn't have one. The graphics are simply drawn out, with basic shapes and animations. It almost resembles high school software programming, except that would be insulting high schoolers. When you play a memory game that doesn't even give you the benefit of a colorful display, it's time to move on. As for the soundtrack, you get one single tune that plays over and over again. It gets to the point that your left brain beats up your right brain in an effort to get you to turn off the system and play something more stimulating, like Contra 4.

You'll blow through most of Mega Brain Boost's offerings in one single afternoon – a couple of hours even – and never want to return again. Because of that, the other modes, Training and Multiplayer, are a waste. Training merely lets you run through each exercise in an attempt to get better, although it lacks any kind of reason to keep you going. The box promises four-player multiplayer, but, unfortunately, only two-player works. It's mildly fun to see a friend try to challenge your top scores, but they'll give up as soon as they realize how half-baked these activities really are.

To sum it up, Mega Brain Boost tries to offer more than previous releases in the series, but still comes up feeling empty. Majesco needs to work on diversifying the game's activities and options if it's going to stand a chance in this genre. Otherwise, it'll be outdone by Nintendo's far superior Brain Age series each and every time. Leaving this game on the store shelf will be the smartest thing your right brain's done all day.

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Mega Brain Boost Game Guide

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