Brain-teasing game roundup
Simple games are fun, but sometimes you want something that really makes you think! For you, we’re introducing recommended brain-training game apps.
We’ve gathered a wide range of classics like board games, card games, puzzles, and popular remixed games.
These apps include not only trending titles but also games perfect for filling short breaks.
As we get older, thinking things through can start to feel like a chore.
But with brain games, you can train your mind while having fun!
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Single-player games: a roundup of time-killing games
- Challenge together! A roundup of word games for adults
- Perfect for killing time! Games you can play with two people.
- Perfect for killing time! A roundup of games for three people to enjoy
- [For 2 Players] Easy Pen-and-Paper Time-Killing Game
- Games you can play in the car! Fun activities to liven up drives and traffic jams
- Kill time while waiting or stuck in traffic! A roundup of games four people can play
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- [Get Friendly with Games] Math Games, Apps, and Activities
- Fun games recommended for making friends with people you’ve just met
Games (21–30)
51
Let me introduce a game that tests your analytical skills: “51.” The rules are simple—collect five cards of the same suit to form your hand, and the player whose total is closest to 51 wins.
Card values are as follows: Jokers and Aces count as either 10 or 11, Kings, Queens, and Jacks are worth 10, and all other cards are worth 8.
Remembering who drew which cards and crafting your strategy accordingly is the key to victory.
Give it a try and keep your brain in high gear.
There are additional detailed rules as well, so be sure to look them up!
Kanji Puzzle
Kanji puzzles are games where you look at characters that have been broken into their components and guess which kanji they are.
If you break down two or more characters and combine them to form compound words, the difficulty goes up quite a bit and it becomes great brain exercise.
Even kanji you’re used to seeing can be surprisingly hard to recognize once they’re taken apart.
It’s a pastime that people from elementary school age to seniors can enjoy, so give it a try!
Connect Four
A game I recommend when you want to kill time! Here’s an idea for a “Four-in-a-Row” game.
This game is perfect for passing the time or filling small gaps in your day.
All you need is paper and a pen, so it’s great because you can play it anywhere! Once you draw a baseline horizontal line on the paper, you’re ready to start.
Decide who goes first and second, then take turns drawing boxes.
The key is that each box must touch another box.
You can’t draw boxes floating in the air or separated from the others.
It’s a simple game where the person who lines up four boxes vertically, horizontally, or diagonally wins!
Exit 8
Exit 8 is a hugely popular game starring Kazunari Ninomiya that was even adapted into a film.
The player aims to escape from Exit 8 of an endlessly continuing underground passage.
If you notice something strange in the passage, turn back; if nothing seems off, keep going and try to escape through Exit 8.
The rules are simple, but it’s a challenging game because spotting anomalies is difficult.
As you get used to the visuals, you might overlook changes—like failing to notice an anomaly or a poster that’s subtly changed size.
There are also jump-scare-style moments, such as a man sprinting toward you or creepy posters.
It’s the kind of game that seems fun to play while chatting with family or friends, discussing the anomalies as you go.
Atama-Oshiri Game
The fresh, TV-famous rhythm game “Atama-Oshiri Game”! In time with the music, you answer by connecting the first and last letters of the word presented.
You have 10 seconds, and the key to winning is whether you can come up with longer words or more letters.
It tests both speed and creativity, so everyone can have fun cranking their brains together.
On the show, Banana Man and Sandwich Man take on the challenge, with unexpected answers being a highlight.
Enjoy laughs and edge-of-your-seat moments.
It’s a recommended game that gets families and friends pumped up while training rhythm and quick thinking at the same time.
10-second Memory Game
It’s a “10-Second Memory Game” where your memory makes all the difference.
The rules are simple: first, look at an illustration for 10 seconds.
Next, you’ll be asked questions about its details and answer them.
How many people were in the picture? What color clothes were they wearing? As the quiz master, focus on the fine details.
It might feel difficult at first, but memory can be trained over time.
If you keep challenging yourself bit by bit, you’ll surely get better at it.
tic-tac-toe
Many of you probably played it as kids, right? Tic-tac-toe is a game where you take turns writing O’s and X’s in a 3×3 grid, and you win if you line up three of your symbol vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
It’s simple, but you have to think quite a bit as you choose your squares while anticipating where your opponent will play.
You might enjoy it even more if you play multiple games at once!