For many, games are a leisure activity — but new research suggests they can also be a brain workout. The question isn’t if games have an effect, but which games provide the most cognitive benefits. Experts weigh in on the science behind board games like chess, and how they stack up against the fast-paced demands of modern video games.
The Myth of “Smarter” Games
The idea that certain games directly boost intelligence is largely a misconception. Dr. Fernand Gobet, a cognitive scientist, explains that games don’t inherently make you smarter. Instead, they hone specific skills. People drawn to challenging games like chess may already possess higher cognitive abilities, making the correlation about attraction — not causation.
However, games do build crucial mental functions. Classics like chess, Go, and checkers strengthen executive function — the set of skills for problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptability. They also teach social intelligence through fair play and graceful losing.
Video Games: A Stronger Cognitive Workout?
Recent studies suggest video games might offer more robust cognitive benefits than traditional board games. This is because they require players to process multiple streams of information simultaneously and adapt strategies in real-time.
Dr. Kurt Dean Squire, an informatics professor at UC Irvine, emphasizes that “constantly getting new challenges and having to figure out entirely new systems is good for the brain.” Video games force lateral thinking and problem-solving from novel angles.
Different genres excel at different skill sets:
- Cooperative games (e.g., Animal Crossing, Minecraft ) boost social intelligence when played collaboratively.
- Role-playing games (RPGs) enhance linguistic intelligence through dense narrative and vocabulary exposure. Some players even learned to read through early RPGs.
- Base-building games (e.g., Minecraft, Valheim ) foster logical and spatial reasoning.
- Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) games like Beat Saber and Fruit Ninja develop kinesthetic intelligence through physical movement.
Games for All Ages: From Children to Seniors
The benefits of gaming extend across the lifespan. For children, games provide motivation for learning, with studies showing that modern board games in classrooms improve updating speed (the brain’s ability to replace old information with new facts) and academic performance.
Older adults can also reap cognitive rewards. Mental stimulation, especially through social games like Go and Thai board game Ska, delays cognitive decline. Older players need age-appropriate challenges: too easy is boring, too complex is frustrating. However, even young children can grasp complex games like chess, as evidenced by a 3-year-old achieving an amateur chess rating of nearly 1600 Elo.
Ultimately, games don’t magically make you smarter, but they support brain health at any age. Different games sharpen different skills, and video games may provide a more dynamic cognitive workout than traditional board games.
The next time your family debates over the Christmas game stash, consider adding a video game or two — it might be the smartest move yet.
