Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day

Flash Focus at E3 07 Hands-On Impressions

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's right, Flash Focus, Vision Training in Minutes a Day will make your eyes feel like new again, and help you develop Dynamic Visual Acuity. We know, 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 mini-game that tested our eyes' ability 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 (a la Brain Age). The game explained 'If your eye age is younger than your are, you have superb focus! If not'you have great potential for superb focus.'

Ah Nintendo, ever the optimists. According to the demo, the eye exam we received was the abridged version, and when the game ships this October 15th, you'll take one that's much deeper, and multi-faceted. 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 mini-games 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 ten pitches, including curveballs, fast balls and change ups, and you must tap the ball right as it enters your strike-zone, represented by a yellow square.

It was a fun mini-game 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 mini-games focused around improving the way you look sounds like a worthwhile investment, you'll definitely want to keep a lookout for this game when it ships in October.

Gamespot