Wow.

How many times can one use the word perfection? In this modern age of uncertainty, I have often found myself embroiled in the classic debate. Are video games art? We’ve all delighted in the emotional adventure of Gone Home, the simple stylings of Papers, Please, and of course the weighty AAA thrillers of The Last of Us and Spec Ops: The Line. Games that truly leave us with feelings of deep and uncertain anxiety in a darker future, surrounded in the dark uncertainty of an uncaring world. But none of them can even begin to entice the player in the same manner as the Atari 2600 classic, Brain Games.

The experience begins before you even slot the cartridge into Xbox 940; the cover art tantalizes the imagination with its Grand Wizard, casting forth basic math from his hands. What does he want from us? What can he provide? Are we truly worthy of his wrath? Before even flipping the switch on the Playstation, we have been enveloped in a world of oil paints and sparkly hats. Perfection.

But what of the game itself? While a charlatan may use the phrase basically just Simon but with shittier graphics, those among us who can appreciate true art will realize what a treat it really is. ‘Go!’ declares the text box at the top of the screen. And go we shall! ‘Wait!’ commands the textbox in similarly janky lettering while the 128 bytes of ram plots its next move. And wait we do! We desperately try and keep up with its simple pattern but alas- we have been beaten by the math Wizard. Perfection.

I’ve learned a lot of things about myself from this game. I’ve learned to never stop trying. I’ve learned to appreciate math wizards. I’ve learned to recognize simple patterns. But perhaps most importantly?

I’ve learned how far I can push myself while never giving up.

Perfection.

10/10