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
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for junior high school students
Game (1–10)
Who am I?
If you’re looking for a brain-teasing game, “Who Am I?” is definitely recommended.
The appeal is how easy it is to start as long as you have two or more people.
The responder, who doesn’t know the prompt, asks the others questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no.” For example, “Am I a living thing?” “Do I know what this is?” Keep asking questions to figure out the prompt.
If you limit the number of questions, it forces you to think more, making it perfect for brain training.
You can have fun with family and friends while also sharpening your logical thinking skills.
NOTNOT
Not Not for Nintendo Switch.
Originally released as a smartphone app, this game became popular worldwide.
What you do is simple: just follow the instructions and move as directed.
That’s all there is to it, but as the levels rise you’ll have to think harder and react accordingly, so it really gets your brain working at full speed.
You can battle against others, and there are high-level zones as well, so there’s plenty of depth to dig into.
Simple yet not simple—fire up your brain with Not Not!
Change Janken
Among brain-teasing games, “Change Janken” is a very unique way to play.
Unlike regular rock-paper-scissors, you switch your hand while observing your opponent.
It’s practically a mind game! Your ability to read the next move from the other person’s expressions and words is put to the test.
It’s sure to get lively among friends.
Plus, it helps you develop the skill to tell truth from lies, making it perfect for improving communication.
Isn’t it great that you can energize your brain while having fun? Go ahead and invite your friends to give it a try.
Indian poker
Prepare a deck of cards, and have each participant draw one card.
Without looking at their own number, they stick the card to their forehead so only the other participants can see it.
The game starts from here.
The person with the highest number wins, so players may lie—saying things like, “Your number is low, you should swap”—to get others to change their cards.
Use your head to reason out who’s lying!
Doubt
Doubt—haven’t you all played it at least once? This is a card game using a standard deck that you can play with either a small or large group.
Shuffle the cards well and deal them face down to the players.
You place down cards in the center in order, treating 1 through 13 as the sequence, and the first person to run out of cards wins.
The key moment comes when it’s your turn and you don’t have the required number.
In that case, act casual and play a different card.
If another player thinks you’re lying, they can say “Doubt!” to stop the game and check the card you played.
If it turns out you did play a different card, you have to take all the cards in the pile.
If the challenger was wrong, they have to take the pile.
It’s a game where the risk is that a big stack of cards can suddenly end up in your hand.
Othello
Haven’t you all played it at least once when you were kids? Othello is a game played on a board with 64 squares.
First, place two black and two white discs in a cross at the center of the board, with a black disc positioned at the front left.
Black moves first.
You flip your opponent’s discs to your color by sandwiching them with your own color.
In the end, the player with more discs wins.
You can also play Othello as a smartphone app nowadays.
The culprit dances
A deduction-based card game where you search for the culprit: “The Culprit Is Dancing.” Its overall structure is similar to Werewolf, so if you know Werewolf, you should grasp the basic flow easily.
However, what decisively sets this game apart is that the culprit keeps changing hands.
The game’s core is a psychological battle of negotiations and information exchanges to track down the culprit.
It hones not only your insight but also your logical thinking, making it a great recommendation even for upper elementary school students.
