Sign on Options
Theme:
To Dark

E3 '07: Flash Focus Hands-On Impressions

Related Platforms:
  • DS
By Joe Dodson, GameSpot, Posted Jul 12, 2007 2:23 am GMT

We take a close look at a game dedicated to improving your eyesight.

If your mind is in shape, you’re smart. If your body is healthy, you’re fit. And if your eyes are sharp, well, is there even a word for that? Maybe not, but there is an upcoming Nintendo game for the Nintendo DS that will make your eyes feel like new again and help you develop dynamic visual acuity called Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day. We know that doesn’t sound as cool as giant pectoral muscles or a brilliant sense of humor, but if you don’t think having good eyes is good for gaming, well, you’re blind.

We recently saw the light in a short two-part play session. The first was a brief minigame that tested the ability of our eyes to quickly focus on different targets, via a series of symbols that quickly appeared and disappeared. The symbols had very subtle differences, and we had to replicate the sequences to prove we’d accurately seen them. At the end of the exercise, we were given an Eye Age (á la Brain Age). The game explained “If your eye age is younger than you are, you have superb focus! If not...you have great potential for superb focus.”

Click to enlarge!

Click to enlarge!

Ah Nintendo, ever the optimists. According to the demo, the eye exam we received was the abridged version. When the game ships this October 15th, you’ll take one that’s much deeper and multifaceted. You’ll have a clear image of your own sense of sight.

Of course, Flash Focus isn’t just a series of tests, it’s a collection of minigames designed to give you sharper peepers. One such game was on display in the form of a baseball hitting simulation. On the touch screen, the computer throws you 10 pitches, including curveballs, fast balls, and change ups; you must tap the ball right as it enters your strike zone, represented by a yellow square.

It was a fun minigame that we played twice and could have spent even more time with if there weren’t other titles waiting for our newly sharpened eyes. If a collection of minigames focused on improving the way you look sounds like a worthwhile investment, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for this game when it ships in October.

22 Comments

  • blizzard3

    Posted Jul 28, 2007 10:38 pm GMT

    I'm starting to get disappointed with the number of gimmicky games appearing for the DS like this. They're fun for a while, but Mario, Metroid, Castlevania, etc. etc. showed the DS is capable of much deeper, more innovative gameplay.

  • matty_sen

    Posted Jul 21, 2007 6:42 pm GMT

    this ill have crazy mini games like in brain age basicly is brain age with diffrent types of games ive used brain age when i have up coming exams and when school gets 2 hard or just 2 improve my IQ is useful and over the years of video games about 15 years my eyes suck i hope this dos 2 my eyes like it did 2 my brain

  • rijnie

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 12:51 pm GMT

    nintendo is getting weirder and weirder

  • bshaw84

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 10:36 am GMT

    Fails to see that potential? You don't know what it offers yet.

  • syncroshadow

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 10:11 am GMT

    rather not admit i m having eye trouble. this game could have so much more. it has potential yet it fails to see that.

  • noreasonwhy79

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 8:28 am GMT

    meh, I would be impressed if it got me a new pair of lenses in about an hour & my second pair 1/2 off.

  • zeo_the_cat_boy

    Posted Jul 16, 2007 10:30 pm GMT

    meh

  • MissAndDie96

    Posted Jul 15, 2007 1:57 pm GMT

    Ummm, I don't need a game to tell me I am legally blind when attempting to see anything further than 10 feet.

  • msudude211

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 5:07 pm GMT

    Not for me...

  • BloodFalcon22

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 3:23 pm GMT

    hmm..... this could be an alternative to glasses...

  • etcetcetc

    Posted Jul 14, 2007 1:21 am GMT

    sounds interestin but aren't video games on small screens bad for your eyes, this all seems rather ironic to me

  • MasterBlade7123

    Posted Jul 13, 2007 10:03 pm GMT

    s0njas0n iz rite wat iz up wit all da trainin gamez?

  • Relys

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 10:28 pm GMT

    Will this improve my "eye sight" as in glasses? Or will it just "attempt" to improve my reflexes (impossible ).

  • BulletProof007

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 11:48 am GMT

    I could use this.

  • s0njas0n

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 8:30 am GMT

    what's with all the training games.

  • Thorpe89

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 3:18 am GMT

    Eye exercise!

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 1:38 am GMT

    First time i heard of this..yes the irony of it

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 10:51 pm GMT

    vary different

  • jesus_knight

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 9:12 pm GMT

    lol this is what i call inovation

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jul 11, 2007 7:50 pm GMT

    A game that improves eyesight? Oh, the irony.

GameSpot on YouTube

Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day

Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day BoxshotEnlarge the boxshot
Not Following
Follow
Add to List

Follow for the latest news, videos, & tips from experts & insiders

GameSpot Fuse

    Game Stats

    • Rank:
      1,998 of 0
      DS Rank:
      161 of 4,136
      Followers:
      169Follow»
      Wishlists:
      79Wish It»
      • Player Reviews: 4
      • Player Ratings: 177
      • Users Now Playing: 40
    • Offline Modes:

      Competitive

    • Number of Players:

      1-2 Players

    • E Rating Description

      Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Learn more

    Close
    Flash Focus Navigation

    Games You May Like

    Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

    See More Similar Games