Games for Brains
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
United States
November 23, 2015 9:50am CST
I just read another one of those articles about things we can do to keep our brains sharp as we age. I find it helpful to read these, since they remind me to do what I sometimes let slide. I have never done one of them, play video games.
An especially helpful game for keeping sharp is Tetris. I looked it up online and found that I can play it for free. The instructions seem fairly straight forward. I just have to decide if I want to play it on my laptop or iPad.
The iPad is far more mobile, of course. But the keyboard is not as easy to use as the one on my laptop. This is probably because I touch type. That’s not possible on an iPad. For that, I use my index fingers. Maybe I’ll see if putting the iPad up against bent knees will make it easy to play.
I am not one who handles frustration well. So any tips as to the best way to set myself up to play this game would be appreciated. What technique works for you? I don’t mean in the actual playing of the game, but the physical set up of machine and body/hands/fingers.
Any suggestions?
20 people like this
21 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
24 Nov 15
color me clueless! i aint familiar with the game nor'n ipad thingy so can be'f no help't all. i'm addicted to word games myself...best'f luck'n gettin' it figured out what's best fer ya, hon.
4 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
24 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace jest yer left side? lol, mine jest goes'n vacation by itself these days - both sides, jest leave me high 'n dry :)
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Thanks. The left side of my brain has started going dormant (just kidding). Need to do something different.
3 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
24 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace It's been around since the 80s. It's almost a pensioner itself.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
It comes very highly recommended for brain health.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
23 Nov 15
I have played Tetris on the Nintendo, on the Game Boy, on my desktop and on my tablet. I have to say that the game console experience is the best one. However, I don't have a Nintendo or Game Boy and if you haven't played it on one of those before, you won't notice the things you miss when playing online. Playing from an app on a tablet is a little too easy - it does too much for you. Playing online is trickier, using the arrow keys and other keys to make specific movements gets a bit confusing and hectic. Ultimately, I found that trying to remember which key did what and missing the right keys was a bit defeating. Although the tablet game is easier than regular Tetris, it still requires that you think spatially and decide on how to place the pieces for the best overall construction and outcome.
4 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79662)
• United States
23 Nov 15
My son had tetris for his game boy and left it in the bathroom one day. The rest of the family started playing it while in there and I noticed that the time in the bathroom was getting longer and longer. People were banging on the door to use the facilities while the person playing the game was totally unaware that we only had one bathroom in the house.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
You give very detailed and helpful information. Many thanks.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (457888)
• Switzerland
24 Nov 15
Just like Anja @Rollo1 have played Tetris on my computer and the Game Boy, this last was a small portable playing machine that I always brought with me on the long International flights. I remember the day (well it was night) that I played all the time from New York to Paris, not a great idea, I had a bad headache when we landed.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (457888)
• Switzerland
24 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace I am unable to sleep on a flight, I found a way to keep busy.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
I always watch a movie and then sleep when on that flight.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Nov 15
@LadyDuck This is a good idea. I'll try it out the next time I fly.
1 person likes this
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
24 Nov 15
I've wasted a good part of my life playing video games,but never once have I played Tetris. I'm a big fan of games as thinking tools.
3 people like this
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
24 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace - A guy called James Gee has done some very interesting work on this, especially with regards to using games in education.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Nov 15
@troyburns Well designed games help students learn many subjects.
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
They probably were not a total waste, as they do develop connections in the brain.
3 people like this
@JESSY3236 (18890)
• United States
23 Nov 15
I used to play tetris many years ago when I had Nintendo. You may like Lumosity.com. It's games for brain too.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Yes, but I prefer free ones.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
@JESSY3236 Did not know that. Thanks for the info. 
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18890)
• United States
24 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace Lumosity does offer free ones. That is the only way I do them. I don't pay for the premium.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
24 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace The only real benefit in being a member of British Mensa for a couple years was the monthly magazine containing a few pages of such puzzles.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
I did do much lateral thinking while teaching foreign languages to teenagers that I miss the mental gymnastics.
2 people like this
@slund2041 (3315)
• United States
24 Nov 15
I have not played Tetris, but Have heard of it. The only game I play is on Swagbucks, so I can get a few points. LOL
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Well, then that's good. Why play for free, when someone will pay you?
2 people like this
@MaddiOashi (183)
• United States
24 Nov 15
I like the hidden object games and the match-3's.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Don't know any of those. I have only started looking into this one because it was highly recommended by medical professionals.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
27 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace I'll check it out later today after I get off mylot.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Yup. Free and fun. What's not to like?
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48908)
• United States
23 Nov 15
My husband is crazy about this game. He originally had a hand held one , but it was called Crazy Bones. It eventually broke after over a decade. I discovered that it was also called Tetris. It's the same exact game. I got him one at Walmart a few years back. It was less then $10. You will find it most addictive.
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79662)
• United States
23 Nov 15
tetris was an addictive game for my whole family
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
I think I will try it on my iPad first.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
24 Nov 15
Tetris has been around for years it is quite a good game and the further you get the faster it becomes. I usually hold my ipad in one hand and use my right for moves etc. I too hate typing on an ipad I never look at a keyboard when I type but have to on the ipad which makes it interminably slow! Sounds like we have the same trait! 'The patience of a flea!!'
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Yes, we do. I subscribe to the quote, "God grant me patience, RIGHT NOW!"
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Never heard of either of them.
2 people like this
@ZainaManzoor (51)
• India
24 Nov 15
I didnt know about the advantages of playing Tetris.But this post of yours has brought back childhood memories and a great idea to kill a few hours ;) Thanks
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Any time. Killing time while building brain connections make sense to me.
3 people like this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
24 Nov 15
I play all my games on my desktop so I can't advise as far as machine. I like brain games like those found on Sporcle. I play every day.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
I want to start with one, and may go on from there, if I like it.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
23 Nov 15
I never played Tetris before. I must look up the free versions myself. Thanks
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Always willing to share good info.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
24 Nov 15
i remember playing tetris many years ago. it was hand-held and battery-operated and we didn't have to charge it.
now, i'm probably the only person in the world who hasn't played candy crush yet.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
Nope. I have never played it either. I understand that they suck people into paying for the pleasure. Someone was very smart, and others very dumb.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79662)
• United States
23 Nov 15
Don't know which would be better..your Ipad or laptop but I do know that it's addictive and lots of fun
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40049)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 Nov 15
I have never tried to play Tetris. I will have to check it out ... between all the other things I do! LOL
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
24 Nov 15
It is too easy to let our minds turn to mush once we are retired.
2 people like this
