[For Seniors] Perfect for Passing the Time! A Collection of Recommended Game Apps for the Elderly
With the spread of smartphones and tablets, game apps that can stimulate the brain while being enjoyable are gaining attention.
A wide variety of genres have emerged, including mahjong, brain-training, and action games.
Some apps even let you experience what it’s like to live with a dog or cat, while others use location information to catch Pokémon when you’re out and about—content that brings energy to everyday life.
In this article, we introduce apps that are easy to operate and let you spend your time at a relaxed pace.
Enjoy a selection of appealing games that stimulate your thinking while helping you unwind.
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Puzzle Games (11–20)
Word Puzzle – Connect Letters Brain Training Game
“Word Puzzle – Connect Letters Brain Training Game” is the perfect app for keeping your mind sharp.
In a relaxed, Japanese-style design, you connect letters to form words and train your memory and vocabulary.
With no time limit, even seniors can take their time and enjoy the challenge without stress.
The stages set against famous Japanese landmarks are visually beautiful, making the act of playing itself a pleasant experience.
Helpful hints are also available when needed; you can use coins to reveal the first letter.
Through this game, it might even become easier to spark lively conversations with older adults.
Word Puzzle - Letter Linking GameCategory: Games, Free, iOS Universal, Rating: 4.66711
iPhone / iPadAndroid
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Eliminate idioms
This is a puzzle game that uses four-character compounds and other idioms.
The screen is filled with kanji blocks, and your goal is to find idiomatic compounds and clear them one after another.
The idioms vary by stage, so it never gets boring.
In fact, you’ll likely find yourself absorbed, solving the stream of new challenges.
As for controls, you can erase a compound by tracing from its first character to the last with your finger, so even older players will get used to it quickly.
If you’re good with idioms, be sure to give it a try!
Idiom Erase — A time-killing game of erasing wordsCategory: Games Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.36304
iPhone / iPad
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Put Number
This is a puzzle game where you place blocks of consecutive numbers into empty spaces, aiming to line up identical numbers and clear them.
Although it uses numbers, placement matters more than calculation, so think ahead to arrange blocks in ways that clear as many as possible at once.
After you use three blocks, the next three appear, so it’s important to anticipate that as you place them.
Because the core action is simply rotating and placing block shapes, it’s a game that really helps sharpen your concentration.
Words of Wonders
It’s a puzzle game where you form words from the given letters to complete a crossword.
The beautiful scenery in the background is also a highlight, and it can sometimes serve as a hint to broaden your thinking as you casually work out the answers.
Since you can only use the given letters and each letter can be used only once, it may seem simple, but there are more patterns than you’d expect, and it can take time to reach the solution.
Brute-forcing by elimination is one way to solve it, but I recommend looking at the entire set of letters and imagining words—this helps activate your brain.
As the number of letters increases, the difficulty rises, putting your ability to draw out words to the test.
Words of Wonders: World Puzzles & CrosswordsCategory: Games Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.5705
iPhone / iPadAndroid
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Garden Dream Life
There’s a puzzle game called “Garden Dream Life” that gives you a refreshing sense of satisfaction.
It’s a game where you collect cute, colorful flowers and connect three or more of the same kind.
It starts with easy stages, but the difficulty gradually increases, so there’s plenty of challenge.
Each stage also has different conditions, and clearing them lets you earn higher scores.
It’s great for brain training for seniors, and it sounds fun to compete with those around you over which stage you’re currently on.
Garden Dream Life: Flower Match 3 PuzzleCategory: Games, Free, iOS Universal, Rating: 4.08
iPhone / iPadAndroid
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Word Cross
How about trying a crossword that makes full use of your smartphone’s touch capabilities? Introducing “Tango Cross.” The rules are the same as a standard crossword, but you enter words by tracing blocks labeled with the Japanese syllabary displayed at the bottom of the screen.
As a result, it tests not only your crossword-solving skills, but also your dexterity in tapping quickly and accurately, as well as your decision-making.
By the way, it also features a mode for competing with friends and modes where words appear according to specific genres.
Download on Google Play
Japan Map Puzzle: Learn Through Play
A smartphone app that’s known for helping you learn geography is “Asobite Manaberu: Japan Map Puzzle.” Simply put, it’s a puzzle that uses Japan’s prefectures.
Pieces shaped like prefectures appear one after another at the bottom of the screen, and you fit them into the map of Japan.
You compete on how fast you can complete them all.
However, because the pieces appear randomly, luck is also an important factor for getting a good time.
Keep trying repeatedly and challenge yourself to set a new record.
Japan Map Puzzle: Learn Through PlayCategory: Games Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.30583
iPhone / iPadAndroid
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