Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day
A Nintendo DS vision training game with lukewarm reviews.
Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day is a Touch! Generations puzzle video game for the Nintendo DS, developed by Namco Bandai Games and Nintendo SPD and published by Nintendo. Released in Japan in 2007 and later in North America, it was supervised by Hisao Ishigaki of the Aichi Institute of Technology and aims to train players in eye relaxation and visual ability. The game received lukewarm reception but was named the Best of Nintendo DS at the Games Convention in Germany in August 2007.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Nintendo SPD; Namco Bandai Games
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Designer
- Yasuyuki Osada
- Kunihiko Yanagida
- Ryo Kimura
- Sei Tsukada
- Director
- Norio Egashira; Takayuki Shimamura
- Producer
- Takashi Sano; Shinya Takahashi
- Composer
- Yoshinori Kawamoto; Yoshie Arakawa
- Genre
- Puzzle
- Modes
- Single player
Facts from the source article.
Development
Flash Focus was first shown at E3 2007 with two mini-games. Hisao Ishigaki, a professor in sports medicine specializing in vision research, assisted development and has created computer-assisted vision training for professional athletes. Ishigaki distinguishes between standard eyesight checks and visual ability, which includes five types: dynamic visual acuity, momentary vision, eye movement, peripheral vision, and hand–eye coordination. He considers the game to train the brain rather than the eye muscles.
Reception
In 2007, Flash Focus held a 61% aggregate rating on GameRankings from 25 reviews. Critics found the training exercises unimpressive; Jeff Gerstmann described them as too easy to remain fun and less empowering than Brain Age. Craig Harris noted the games could fit any mini-game collection and that at least one relied more on hand–eye coordination than vision training. GameSpy stated there was little to do and that performance could only be recorded once daily. Both GameSpy and IGN cited the lack of an extra game, such as Sudoku or Dr. Mario, as a drawback. Gerstmann deemed the $20 price appropriate and recommended it as a fun alternative, while GameSpy recommended it for gamers who enjoy mental challenges. Harris, however, said Nintendo needed to improve significantly and that the game lacked substance for a full Nintendo product. At the Games Convention in Germany in August 2007, a jury nominated it as one of three Best of Nintendo DS games and selected it as the winner, citing great fun. By July 9, 2008, it had sold 881,126 copies in Japan and received a Platinum sales award from ELSPA for at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day?
Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day was directed by Norio Egashira and Takayuki Shimamura.
Who designed Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day?
Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day was designed by Yasuyuki Osada, Kunihiko Yanagida, Ryo Kimura and Sei Tsukada.
Who composed the music for Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day?
The music for Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day was composed by Yoshinori Kawamoto and Yoshie Arakawa.
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