Sweepstakes
Win a Nintendo DS Lite with the Brain Age and Planet Puzzle League games. No purchase necessary. Please read the Official Rules.
The Prizes
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Brain Age™: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day
Give your gray matter the workout that it needs to stay sharp and focused. Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day is inspired by the research of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a prominent Japanese neuroscientist. His theories revolve around keeping brains stimulated by performing mental activities quickly.
- Brain Age is a series of exercises designed to give brains a workout. Activities include performing math problems, counting people going in and out of a house, drawing pictures on the touch screen and reading classic literature out loud.
- When users start a new game, they will take a series of tests that determine their brain age within the game. This number is called the "DS brain age". As the player uses the software over a series weeks and months, their ability to perform the exercises will improve and their DS brain age will decrease. Progress is charted in graph form.
- Users can keep up to four save files on one game card. Sharing a game allows them to compare their results with those of family and friends. Users also can send a demo version of Brain Age to friends or compete with up to 16 players in a battle to see who can solve math problems the fastest.
- Brain Age also includes more than 100 sudoku puzzles, which are among the most popular types of brain-challenging puzzles in the world.
How to progress: When users first start a new game, they will be given a Brain Age Check that determines the age of their DS brains. Each day, they can compete for the high score in any activities that they have unlocked. They also can check the age of their DS brains once per day. The more training they do, the more activities they will unlock. Brain Age is designed to be played in small chunks over a long period of time and can hold data from a year of activity.
Special features: If users send their friends a wireless demo or have multiple people playing on one game card using DS Download Play, they can compare their scores to see who has the lowest DS brain age.
Brain Age is played with the DS turned sideways to make it feel more like a book.
Gameplay Screenshots:
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Planet Puzzle League game for Nintendo DS
- Combining addictive puzzle action with simple touch-screen controls, Planet Puzzle League couldn't be easier to play. Players use the stylus to grab blocks and slide them left and right. If they match three or more blocks of the same color, the blocks will vanish. Form chains and combos to create an avalanche of blocks and rack up high scores.
- Up to four players can battle over local wireless, and two can slug it out over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The Wi-Fi Novice mode even lets newcomers learn the ropes in a stress-free environment.
- Planet Puzzle League supports full voice chat over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Once players and friends have exchanged Friend Codes, they can talk for free while they battle each other. The voice chat feature is also compatible with the Nintendo DS Headset.
How to progress through the game: Planet Puzzle League features different-colored blocks on the playing field, and a two-block cursor that is controlled by the player. The player puts the cursor on blocks and drags left or right with the stylus to swap their positions. When three or more of the same-colored blocks line up, they disappear. Skilled players can use this to match multiple tiles without a break, creating combos and chains for bonus points. If the stack reaches the top of the screen, players have a few seconds before the game ends.
Modes: There are six single-player modes: Puzzle, Endless, Time Attack, Garbage, Clear and Vs. Com. In addition, there is a daily mode where players play three two-minute games each day. This mode tracks a players' overall scores on a graph, letting them view their progress over a period of weeks and months. The game also sports a robust training mode, with dozens of tutorials and demos to experience. Local wireless mode lets up to four players compete in three different games, while the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode has the same number of games, but is for two players only.
Special features: Gamers can battle against other players in a wide variety of modes via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Novice mode allows newcomers to the series to try it out in a friendly environment. Once they get enough wins under their belt, they will be unable to access Novice mode. Players also can take on strangers from across the globe, or compare scores with people who share their birthday. Planet Puzzle League also sports full voice chat functionality, so players can talk to their friends while they play (players must exchange Friend Codes to chat).
Gameplay Screenshots:
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Nintendo DS Lite Game System
Nintendo DS provides users with a unique game-play experience using features never before offered by any other home console or hand-held game system. This portable personal entertainment and communications unit provides owners with new perspectives on dual screens, new control using both touch and voice, and new connections with two kinds of wireless game play. It's a newfound canvas on which developers can express their creativity.
Dual Screens: Two LCD screens offer one of the most groundbreaking game-play advances ever developed: experiencing a game from two perspectives at once. Imagine the possibilities. In a racing game, drivers might see their own vehicle's perspective on one screen and an overall track view on the other. In a role-playing game, the action could take place on the first screen while the second provides a reference for a player's tools inventory. Game play also could use both screens at once, offering a giant boss for heroes to defeat. In the future, games could be created allowing users to play games on one screen while text messaging other DS users on the other. Each 3-inch screen can reproduce a true 3-D view and is backlit to assure comfortable play in any lighting condition.
Touch Screen: The lower screen will offer something never before provided by any game device: PDA-like touch capabilities. Players no longer have to rely on just buttons to move characters or shift perspectives. They can navigate menus or access inventory items simply by touching the screen with stylus or fingertip. A software-based keyboard might even allow the screen to be used as an input center for games and messaging. The possibilities are limited only by developers' imaginations. The screen will have a tougher film cover for durability, and will come with a stylus.
Microphone: An available microphone port means that in the future, players might need only to tell their games what to do. DS software could identify everything from voice commands to hand-clapping. Players might be able to move their characters simply by telling them which way to go. The voice capabilities also could allow gamers to chat with one another over the Internet while playing.
Wireless: DS users will be able to connect with a local wireless network of up to 16 players. Nintendo's guaranteed range is 30 feet, but will extend far beyond that depending on circumstances. It assures high response rates required for real time game play, and will make use of both IEEE 802.11 and Nintendo's proprietary communication protocol, which provides low battery consumption. Players will be able to chat and play games without any connecting cords, completely untethered. The DS technology also provides for a wireless LAN connection, which could allow a theoretically infinite number of players to connect at a hot spot and compete at a central game hub on the Internet, even if they're thousands of miles apart.
Wireless Game Sharing: If software developers desire, multiple players can compete in wireless games, even if only one person has a game card inserted. Players could also test-play games for themselves as long as they stayed connected.
3-D: With the newly developed graphics engine, DS can reproduce impressive 3-D renderings that can surpass images displayed on the Nintendo 64. Games will run at 60 frames per second, and allow details like fog effects and cell shading.
Sound: The 16-channel sound allows for greatly expanded use of voices and music, and a richer, more immersive game experience. A plug for headphones transmits stereo sound.
Battery & Power Management: The battery is rechargeable and the unit features a low-energy-consumption design. The DS also has Power Management functions of Sleep mode and Standby mode.
Processing: The unit will run on two processors, one ARM9 one ARM7.
New Media: For its compact cards, the unit uses newly developed semiconductor memory, which allows for lower cost, shorter manufacturing time and memory capacity of more than one gigabit of information.
Dual Slots: Nintendo DS makes a vast library of Game Boy Advance games readily available. Developers could find ways to make new connections between GBA games and DS games. The GBA port could be used for new hardware, enormously expanding the functional expandability of the DS.
PictoChat: Keep in constant contact with your friends with PictoChat a wireless chat program thats built into the Nintendo DS. With PictoChat, up to 16 people per chat room can link over a wireless connection and chat and swap drawings all they want. Simply hand-write words or draw pictures on the Nintendo DS touch screen, and then send them to your friends. You can even copy someone elses message, edit it, add to it and send it back. Draw, doodle, share ideas or do anything else you can think of dreaming up new ways to use PictoChat is half the fun. Anyone with a Nintendo DS can play with PictoChat no Game Card is required.
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Sweepstakes Completed
The Braingle Sweepstakes has ended and a winner has been selected, at random, from all the qualified entries. That winner is awwsugar.
Sweepstakes Entry
The winner will be chosen at random from all qualified entries. To qualify, you must complete 4 tasks and then submit a valid sweepstakes entry form before July 16, 2007.
 | Become a Registered Braingle User and Login to the website. The remaining steps must be completed while you are signed in. |
 | Solve one Sudoku Puzzle from Braingle's Games Section. |
 | Get an A or better on any quiz in Braingle's Trivia Section. |
 | Solve and rate five Brain Teasers from Braingle's Brain Teasers Section. |
Click for official sweepstakes rules
Official Sweepstakes Rules
Eligibility
No purchase necessary. This sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of the United States. Entrants must also be thirteen years of age or older as of the start date of this sweepstakes (listed below). If, in your state of residence, you are under the legal age of majority (usually 18), one of your parents or legal guardians must indicate on your sweepstakes entry form that they have read, understood and agree to these sweepstakes rules with your entry, and that such agreement constitutes acceptance of these sweepstakes rules on behalf of you and themselves. To be eligible to win the prize, entries must be completed and received by Braingle in the format and by the deadline designated below. Employees of Braingle and their immediate families are not eligible to win any prizes. All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited by law.
Disclaimer
Braingle will not be responsible for: (a) any late, lost, misrouted or damaged entries; (b) any computer or communications related bug, malfunction or failure; (c) any disruptions, injuries, losses or damages caused by participating in this sweepstakes; or (d) any typographical or programatical errors in any materials associated with this sweepstakes. In accepting the prize, the winner acknowledges that Braingle may not be held liable for any losses, damages or injuries associated with accepting or using this prize.
Sweepstakes Period
The sweepstakes shall begin at 10:00am on June 11, 2007 Pacific Standard Time and continue until the deadline at 11:59pm on July 16, 2007 Pacific Standard Time. All entries must be received by the Deadline to be eligible to win the prize.
Prize
One qualified entrant will be chosen at random to receive one (1) Nintendo DS Lite (white) game system, one (1) Brain Age game and (1) Planet Puzzle League game. Approximate retail value of the prize is $180. The prize is not exchangeable, or redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded. All federal, state and local taxes associated with the receipt or use of the prizes are the sole responsibility of the winner. Prizes are not transferable. Braingle retains the rights, in its absolute and sole discretion, to make substitutions of any kind to the prize. Limit one prize per household. All prizes are awarded "AS IS" and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose).
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning is dependent upon the number of entries received.
How to Enter
No purchase necessary. Buying will not help you win. Your chances of winning without making a purchase are the same as the chances of someone who purchases something. It is illegal to give any advantage to buyers in a sweepstakes. To enter the sweepstakes, you must complete the four tasks listed below and then fill out a valid sweepstakes entry form.
Task 1: Before completing steps 2, 3 and 4 you must create an account on Braingle and remain signed in while completing the remaining tasks. If you complete a task while you are not signed into your account, it will not count. When creating your account, you must use a valid email address. If you win, you will be notified via this email address. Braingle is not responsible for lost or misplaced emails.
Task 2: You must completely solve one Sudoku puzzle from Braingle's Games section. You may pick any difficulty level and there is no time limit for solving the puzzle. In order to play the Sudoku Puzzle, your web browser will need to support the Flash plugin available from Adobe.
Task 3: You must receive at least one A or A+ on any quiz from our trivia section. The Photo Identification Quizzes do not count. There are over 700 quizzes to pick from at the following URL: http://www.braingle.com/trivia/All.html
Task 4: You must attempt to solve 5 brain teasers. When you are done with a brain teaser, you must rate it (how fun it is, and how difficult it is). There are over 12,000 brain teasers to pick from at the following URL: http://www.braingle.com/brainteasers/All.html
Sweepstakes Entry Form: After you have completed all four tasks, you must also complete and submit a valid sweepstakes entry form. This sweepstakes entry form must contain your full legal name, age, email address, phone number and mailing address. Entrants will also be required to confirm their acceptance of these Official Rules. Duplicate entries per household will be deleted.
Winner Notification
The winner will be notified via email within seven (7) days of the prize drawing. Winners will be required to respond to the email to acknowledge receipt of the prize. If no response is obtained within seven (7) calendar days of notification, attempts will be made to reach the winner by phone or mail. If no response is obtained from the winner by fourteen (14) days after the sweepstakes end date, the prize will be awarded to a replacement winner drawn at random. Braingle's decisions about winners are final.
Collection of Information
The sweepstakes entry form requires you to enter your full legal name, age, email address, phone number and mailing address. This information will only be used to contact the winner. Braingle will not share this information with any third party. The sweepstakes is not open to minors under the age of thirteen (13). In the event that you are under the age of thirteen (13) years and submit a sweepstakes entry form, Braingle will delete any and all personally identifiable information that is obtained from the sweepstakes entry form.
Entrants grant to Braingle the right to use and publish their Braingle username, proper name and state online, in print, and in any other media in connection with the sweepstakes. Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission for Braingle to use winner's names and likenesses for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation unless prohibited by law.
General Release
By entering the sweepstakes, you release Braingle from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the sweepstakes or delivery, misdelivery, acceptance, possession, use of or inability to use any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory.
Miscellaneous
Braingle reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Sweepstakes. Any attempt by a entrant to deliberately damage any web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the game is a violation of criminal and civil laws and, should such an attempt be made, sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such entrant to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The sweepstakes and these Official Rules will be governed, construed and interpreted under the laws of the state of Washington, United States. Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects.
If you have any questions about these Official Rules or the sweepstakes, please contact us.
Winners List
For a list of the winner, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Braingle Sweepstakes, Attn: Jake Olefsky, 8317 17th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117. Requests received after one month following the end date will not be fulfilled.
Sponsor
This sweepstakes is sponsored by Jake Olefsky LLC (Braingle), 8317 17th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117.