Marvelous Makes Expensive Brain Training Game

Marvelous is getting into the brain training craze with Shin Noukyo Iku, an edutainment game with DSi camera support.

In Japan, Brain Age debuted at 2,800 yen ($31 with today’s exchange rate). Shin Noukyo Iku is going to set records with its suggested retail price of 7,980 yen ($90!). Just for comparison The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is 4,800 yen ($54) and Mushihime-sama Futari Ver 1.5, an Xbox 360 game, is 7,140 yen ($81). Seems like a risky strategy.

Why is this more expensive than a console game? Marvelous tied up with Hama Gakuen, a cram school with a stellar reputation. But, you don’t need to be a genius to play this. Marvelous made videos showing all kinds of people – kids, models, and bodybuilders playing Shin Noukyo Iku.