8 Video Games That Literally Make You Smarter, According to Neuroscientists

Have you ever been told that video games are a waste of time? Well, science has some good news for gamers. Far from being mindless entertainment, research now shows that certain video games can actually make you smarter by enhancing specific cognitive abilities. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore eight video games that neuroscientists have found to boost brain power, examining the science behind how these games can improve everything from visual processing to problem-solving skills.

The Science Behind Video Games and Cognitive Enhancement

The relationship between video games and brain function has been the subject of extensive research over the past two decades. Neuroscientists have discovered that gaming isn't just entertaining – it can literally change your brain.

According to studies from leading research institutions, video games have tangible impacts on cognition, improving attention span, decision-making, problem-solving, memory, and learning[1]. Brain scans of gamers show increased gray matter volume in regions associated with spatial navigation, strategic planning, and fine motor skills.

When you play action video games, your brain experiences a substantial release of dopamine – comparable to levels seen with intravenous amphetamine injection[4]. This neurochemical reaction helps reinforce learning and enhances cognitive performance.

"Video game play is not necessarily a 'mindless' activity. Our research shows video games could be used to develop both visuo-motor and cognitive skills in ways that transfer to real-world abilities." - Dr. C. Shawn Green, University of Wisconsin-Madison[4]

The cognitive benefits of gaming extend beyond entertainment value:

Enhanced visual processing speed
Improved attention control
Increased working memory capacity
Better problem-solving abilities
Superior spatial reasoning
More efficient decision-making
Enhanced executive function

Let's explore the eight specific games that neuroscientists say can literally make you smarter.

#1: Portal 2 – Enhancing Problem-Solving and Spatial Reasoning

Portal 2, developed by Valve Corporation, stands out as one of the most effective games for cognitive enhancement. This first-person puzzle game requires players to solve increasingly complex spatial puzzles using a "portal gun" that creates interconnected portals between surfaces.

Why neuroscientists recommend it:

A study published in the journal Computers & Education found that participants who played Portal 2 for just 8 hours showed significant improvements in problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and persistence compared to those who completed brain training software for the same duration.

The game demands that players:

Analyze three-dimensional spaces
Plan complex sequences of actions
Adapt to changing environmental conditions
Think creatively to overcome obstacles

These skills transfer to real-world problem-solving scenarios, making Portal 2 not just entertaining but genuinely beneficial for cognitive development.

#2: Starcraft – Boosting Strategic Thinking and Multitasking

Starcraft is a real-time strategy game that requires players to simultaneously manage resources, build structures, develop technologies, and command armies in competitive scenarios.

Cognitive benefits from playing Starcraft:

Research from Queen Mary University of London and University College London found that participants who played Starcraft for 40 hours over 6-8 weeks demonstrated significant improvements in:

Cognitive flexibility: The ability to switch between thinking about different concepts
Multitasking: Managing multiple objectives simultaneously
Working memory capacity: Holding and manipulating information
Decision-making speed: Making effective choices under time pressure

One particularly notable study found that the cognitive demands of Starcraft were so effective at boosting cognitive performance that professional players could make up to 400 actions per minute while maintaining strategic awareness – a level of multitasking that transfers to other complex cognitive tasks[2].

Super Mario 64, Nintendo's classic 3D platformer, has been the subject of groundbreaking neuroscience research at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.

The study found that adults who played Super Mario 64 for just 30 minutes per day over two months experienced:

Increased gray matter volume in the right hippocampus, right prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum
Enhanced spatial navigation skills
Improved memory formation

The researchers concluded that the game's three-dimensional navigation challenges stimulated brain plasticity in regions critical for spatial memory, planning, and fine motor skills.

Dr. Simone Kühn, the lead researcher, noted: "Video game training could be used to counteract known risk factors for mental disease such as smaller hippocampus and prefrontal cortex volume."

#4: Tetris – Rewiring Visual-Spatial Processing

Perhaps no game has been more thoroughly studied by neuroscientists than Tetris. This classic puzzle game requires players to manipulate falling shapes to complete horizontal lines.

The cognitive benefits of Tetris include:

Enhanced spatial cognition: The ability to mentally rotate and manipulate objects
Improved visual processing efficiency: Faster recognition and organization of visual information
Increased cortical thickness: Physical changes in brain regions associated with planning and coordination
Reduced intrusive memories: Research shows Tetris can even help in treating PTSD by disrupting memory consolidation

The "Tetris Effect" – where players report seeing falling blocks or thinking in Tetris patterns after extended play – demonstrates how thoroughly the game can reconfigure visual processing pathways[4].

A Harvard Medical School study found that playing Tetris led to more efficient use of glucose in the brain, indicating that visual-spatial skills become more energy-efficient with practice.

#5: Civilization – Strengthening Planning and Systems Thinking

Civilization is a turn-based strategy game where players build and manage an entire civilization from the stone age to the space age.

How Civilization enhances executive function:

Neuroscientists have found that strategy games like Civilization are particularly effective at strengthening executive function – the set of mental skills that include:

Planning and prioritization
Cognitive control: The ability to inhibit impulses and make calculated decisions
Systems thinking: Understanding complex interrelationships between variables
Working memory: Keeping multiple pieces of information active for decision-making

Players must balance immediate needs against long-term goals, manage multiple systems (economy, science, military, diplomacy), and adapt to changing circumstances – all skills that transfer to real-world problem-solving and decision-making.

A study published in PLOS ONE found that strategy games correlate positively with problem-solving abilities and academic performance, particularly in STEM fields[1].

#6: Minecraft – Developing Creativity and Problem-Solving

Minecraft's open-world sandbox design provides a uniquely flexible environment for cognitive development. The game allows players to build virtually anything using blocks while navigating procedurally generated worlds.

Neuroscience research on Minecraft shows:

Enhanced creativity: The game's open nature encourages novel solutions and creative expression
Improved spatial cognition: Building in 3D space develops mental mapping abilities
Problem-solving skills: Players must gather resources and craft tools to overcome challenges
Computational thinking: Basic coding concepts can be learned through the game's redstone mechanics

A study at the University of Rochester found that Minecraft players showed improved ability to generate creative solutions to problems outside the game context. Educators have recognized these benefits, with many schools now incorporating Minecraft into their curricula to develop spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills.

#7: Brain Age/Brain Training – Targeted Cognitive Workouts

Brain Age (known as Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training in some regions) was developed in collaboration with neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima specifically to enhance cognitive performance.

The neuroscience behind Brain Age:

While controversy exists around some brain training claims, research shows that specific exercises in Brain Age can produce measurable improvements in:

Processing speed: How quickly you can perform mental operations
Working memory: The ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information
Executive function: Higher-order cognitive processes

A study in the journal PLOS ONE found that adults who played Brain Age for four weeks showed significantly improved executive function and processing speed compared to a control group[3].

The game's effectiveness comes from its targeted approach to cognitive training, with exercises specifically designed to activate prefrontal cortex regions associated with executive function.

#8: Lumosity – Personalized Cognitive Training

Lumosity represents the new generation of video game brain training, offering personalized cognitive workouts based on neuroscience principles.

Research on Lumosity's effectiveness:

After settling an FTC complaint regarding unsubstantiated marketing claims, Lumosity has invested in more rigorous research. Current findings indicate:

Specific Lumosity games can improve visual attention processing
Regular players demonstrate better working memory capacity
Performance improvements correlate with executive function enhancement

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that customized training regimens like those offered by Lumosity were most effective when targeting specific cognitive domains rather than claiming general intelligence improvements.

The most effective Lumosity games focus on:

Speed of processing
Divided attention
Visual-spatial processing
Working memory

How Different Game Types Affect Specific Cognitive Skills

Different genres of video games enhance different cognitive abilities. Understanding these relationships can help you choose games that target specific skills you want to improve.

Action Video Games That Improve Visual Processing Skills

Action video games deserve special attention for their particularly strong effects on visual processing. Research led by Dr. Daphne Bavelier at the University of Rochester has shown that action video games improve visual processing skills in remarkable ways.

Players of action video games demonstrate:

25-50% improvement in visual contrast sensitivity
The ability to track 30% more objects simultaneously compared to non-gamers
58% better performance at distinguishing subtle differences in color shade
Faster visual information processing with greater accuracy

These visual processing advantages translate to real-world skills like:

Better driving performance in poor visibility conditions
Enhanced reading ability, particularly for those with dyslexia
Improved surgical precision (surgeons who play action games make 37% fewer errors)[4]

How First-Person Shooter Games Improve Attention Control

First-person shooter (FPS) games like Call of Duty have been specifically studied for their effects on attention. Research shows first-person shooter games improve attention control through:

Selective attention: The ability to focus on relevant information while ignoring distractions
Sustained attention: Maintaining focus over extended periods
Divided attention: Managing multiple attention demands simultaneously

A landmark study published in Nature found that playing FPS games improved participants' ability to distinguish between important visual cues and distractions – a skill that transfers to real-world tasks requiring focused attention[2].

"Action gamers more efficiently suppress unattended, potentially distracting information. Action game play enhances top-down aspects of attention." - Research by Green and Bavelier[2]

Video Games Recommended by Cognitive Neuroscientists for Different Age Groups

Cognitive neuroscientists recommend different games depending on age and cognitive development needs:

For Children (8-12):

Minecraft (creativity, spatial reasoning)
Animal Crossing (planning, patience)
Super Mario games (hand-eye coordination, spatial navigation)

For Teenagers (13-18):

Portal 2 (problem-solving, physics understanding)
Civilization (strategic thinking, historical context)
Tetris (spatial processing, pattern recognition)

For Adults (19-59):

Starcraft (cognitive flexibility, multitasking)
First-person shooters (attentional control, visual processing)
The Witness (puzzle-solving, pattern recognition)

For Seniors (60+):

Brain Age (mental processing speed, memory)
Lumosity (targeted cognitive training)
World of Warcraft (social cognition, coordination)

Scientific Evidence of Video Games Making You Smarter: Case Studies

Case Study 1: Laparoscopic Surgeons

A study published in the Archives of Surgery examined the relationship between video game experience and surgical skill among 33 surgeons and medical residents.

Results showed:

Surgeons who played video games for more than 3 hours weekly:
Made 37% fewer errors
Performed 27% faster
Scored 42% better on measures of surgical skill
Demonstrated superior suturing capability

The researchers concluded that video game training should be an integral part of surgical training programs[4].

Case Study 2: Military Pilots

The United States Air Force conducted a study evaluating flight performance among cadets with and without video game experience.

The study found:

Cadets given 10 hours of video game training performed significantly better on various measures of flight performance
Video game players demonstrated superior situational awareness and multitasking ability
Reaction times to emergency procedures were markedly faster among gamers

These findings led to the implementation of video game training in several military training programs[4].

How Gaming Enhances Working Memory Capacity

Working memory – the ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information – is critical for learning, problem-solving, and virtually all complex cognitive tasks.

Research shows that gaming enhances working memory capacity through:

Constant memory challenges: Games require remembering objectives, maps, and game mechanics
Adaptive difficulty: Games progressively challenge memory systems as skills improve
Multitasking demands: Players must monitor multiple information streams simultaneously

A study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that action gamers could hold and manipulate approximately two more items in working memory compared to non-gamers – a significant improvement in cognitive capacity[1].

Strategy Video Games for Executive Function Improvement

Executive function encompasses higher-order cognitive processes including planning, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control. Strategy video games for executive function improvement are particularly effective because they require:

Long-term planning: Developing strategies that unfold over extended time periods
Resource management: Balancing competing priorities with limited resources
Flexibility: Adapting to opponents' strategies and unexpected events
Inhibitory control: Resisting impulsive decisions in favor of strategic ones

Games like Civilization, Starcraft, and Age of Empires have been shown to enhance these skills, with research demonstrating transfer to academic and professional performance[1].

Cognitive Benefits of Video Games Across the Lifespan

The cognitive benefits of video games extend across the entire lifespan, with different advantages at different ages:

In Children:

Enhanced problem-solving skills
Improved reading comprehension
Better mathematical abilities
Increased creativity and imagination
Development of persistence and determination

In Adults:

Strengthened multitasking abilities
Enhanced decision-making under pressure
Improved pattern recognition
Better spatial awareness
Enhanced learning capacity in new domains

In Seniors:

Delayed cognitive decline
Improved reaction time
Enhanced memory function
Better visuospatial skills
Greater autonomy and well-being

Research at the University of California found that seniors who played 3D video games showed a 12% improvement in memory tests – reversing the equivalent of approximately 10 years of cognitive decline[3].

The Optimal Way to Use Video Games for Brain Training

To maximize the cognitive benefits of video games, neuroscientists recommend:

Variety: Play different types of games to exercise diverse cognitive skills
Consistency: Regular sessions (30-60 minutes daily) are more effective than marathon sessions
Challenge: Continuously adjust difficulty to remain in the "sweet spot" of challenge
Mindfulness: Actively reflect on strategies and skills being developed
Balanced approach: Combine gaming with physical exercise, social interaction, and other cognitive activities

Dr. Adam Gazzaley, professor of neurology at UCSF, recommends: "Approach gaming with specific cognitive goals in mind. Ask yourself what skills you're trying to develop, and choose games accordingly."

Debunking Myths About Video Games and Intelligence

Despite the growing evidence for video games making you smarter, several myths persist:

Myth 1: Video games rot your brain Reality: Research shows selective positive effects on brain structure and function, including increased gray matter volume in key regions[1][3].

Myth 2: Video games are addictive and harmful Reality: While excessive gaming can be problematic, moderate play has demonstrated cognitive benefits with minimal risk. The key is balanced engagement.

Myth 3: The benefits don't transfer to real life Reality: Multiple studies show transfer to real-world skills in surgery, piloting, reading comprehension, and visual attention tasks[4].

Myth 4: All games are equally beneficial Reality: Different games exercise different cognitive skills. Some games are specifically designed to enhance certain abilities.

Conclusion

The research is clear: video games can literally make you smarter when played appropriately and with purpose. The eight games highlighted in this article – Portal 2, Starcraft, Super Mario 64, Tetris, Civilization, Minecraft, Brain Age, and Lumosity – represent some of the most effective options for cognitive enhancement, according to neuroscientists.

As technology advances, we can expect even more sophisticated games designed specifically to enhance brain function. Virtual and augmented reality games promise to deliver even more immersive and effective cognitive training experiences.

For now, the message from neuroscience is encouraging for gamers: those hours at the controller aren't just fun – they're literally rebuilding your brain for the better.

References

HealthyGamer. "Video Games Make You Smarter [Backed Up By Research]." HealthyGamer.gg Blog.
Green, C.S., & Bavelier, D. "Learning, attentional control, and action video games." PMC National Center for Biotechnology Information.
National Institutes of Health. "Video gaming may be associated with better cognitive performance in children." NIH News Releases.
Green, C.S., & Bavelier, D. "The Cognitive Neuroscience of Video Games." University of Wisconsin-Madison Green Lab.

Popular Games