Xbox Live Arcade To Get Brain Trainer, Bliss Island

Microsoft has announced that its regular Wednesday Xbox Live Arcade update will see the addition of Gameloft's mind trainer Brain Challenge, as well as a console port of the action puzzler Bliss Island, from Mutant Storm Reloaded/Empire developer PomPom. Microsoft says Brain Challenge, originally released by Gameloft on mobile phones, is "an entertaining brain training program that helps players develop stress-management skills through a wide variety of games" that help players "develop their abilities in five areas of cognitive function, including logic, math, memory, visual thinking and concentration, in a fun and easy way." In addition to the Daily Test mode, similar to Nintendo's Brain Age, the game will include a Stress mode, to keep players calm under stress, a Creative mode to explore imagination, and a Child Test for younger players. The game will also offer multiplayer support for four-player competitions online and off, and extensive statistics and graphs. PomPom's Bliss Island, originally picked up by Codemasters for a web, PSP, and PC release, has players take the role of "Hoshi the Zwooph, a mystical blue creature that emits precise puffs of air to create clouds." The Xbox Live Arcade version will see Hoshi "become the Bliss Island champion by winning over 25 unique challenges across nine intense levels," along with online multiplayer levels for competitive play. Both Brain Challenge and Bliss Island will be released this Wednesday, March 14th, at respective price points of 800 Points ($10) and 400 Points ($5).