
The Best Games to Level Up Your Intelligence
Recent research has revealed that certain games not only entertain but also sharpen cognitive abilities, by as much as 2.5 IQ points!
This can include mobile, console, PC, or good old physical games.
So, do you want to go higher up the ‘smart chart’? Then read what the gaming experts from Mobile Premier League (MPL) have to say as they guide us through which of the most popular games can bolster your brain.
Which Popular Games Boost Brain Power?
In the data below, popular games known to have positive cognitive benefits were collected and ranked based on their Google search volume.
Google Search Volume and Cognitive Benefits of Popular Games | |||
Rank | Game | Monthly Google Search Volume | Potential Cognitive Benefit |
1 | Snake Game | 5300000 | Improves reaction time and hand-eye coordination |
2 | Connections Game | 1500000 | Enhances problem-solving and logical thinking |
3 | Wordle | 1100000 | Boosts vocabulary and pattern recognition |
4 | Solitaire | 130000 | Enhances memory and strategic thinking |
5 | Hearts Card Game | 117000 | Improves strategic thinking and social skills |
6 | Halo | 72000 | Enhances spatial skills and strategic thinking |
7 | Football Video Game | 71000 | Boosts reaction time and decision-making |
8 | Chess | 36000 | Improves problem-solving and strategic thinking |
9 | Family Feud | 26000 | Enhances general knowledge and quick thinking |
10 | Super Mario | 17000 | Enhances spatial navigation and problem-solving |
The Science Behind Cognitive Growth by Gaming
The secret behind these games’ cognitive benefits lies in the specific skills they engage in.
According to the MPL experts, the best games challenge you—they require problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning. This mental workout strengthens these skills just like exercise strengthens your muscles.
Some possible effects are stimulating brain function, improving problem-solving skills, and enhancing memory retention.
Interestingly, time spent on social media and passive screen time did not contribute to gains in intelligence.
Popular IQ Boosting Games
Not all games will have the same impact.
Depending on the games’ models, they work on different areas of your brain (and heart—when it’s score time). E.g. action-based games challenge cognitive skills like multiple object tracking and visual interference resistance.
These are some of the most popular brain-boosting games:
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Snake Game
Primary Platform: Mobile
Format: Anybody who had a Nokia phone in the 1990s to 2000s knows this game. Players control a snake, guiding it to eat food while avoiding obstacles and growing longer.
With a whopping monthly Google search volume of 5.3 million (imagine the numbers of all search engines combined,) Snake Game improves reaction time and hand-eye coordination.
“Games like Snake are great for improving reflexes and coordination,” according to MPL. “Quick decision-making and hand-eye coordination are crucial skills that translate to real-world scenarios.”
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Connections
Primary Platform: Web/mobile
Format: Players connect words or phrases that share a common theme or association.
This vastly popular game enhances problem-solving and logical thinking.
Connections challenge players to think critically and make strategic decisions, which are essential for academic and professional success.
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Wordle
Primary Platform: Web/mobile
Format: Players guess a hidden five-letter word by trial and error, receiving feedback on the correctness of their guesses.
Boasting 1.1 million monthly searches, Wordle is not just fun but also boosts vocabulary and pattern recognition.
Word games like this stimulate the brain’s language centers, improving vocabulary and cognitive flexibility.
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Chess
Primary Platform: Board game/app/web
Format: Players strategize to outmaneuver their opponent’s pieces and ultimately checkmate the opponent’s king.
MPL says, “Chess is a mental workout.” It enhances logical thinking, foresight, and planning skills. It is a powerhouse when it comes to improving problem-solving and strategic thinking.
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Solitaire
Primary Platform: Board game
Format: Players arrange cards on the board according to specific rules, aiming to clear the board or achieve a particular goal.
“Solitaire is like a mental puzzle. It requires planning, memory retention, and strategic decision-making, all of which are vital for cognitive health,” explains MPL.
It’s a classic game known for enhancing memory and strategic thinking.
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Hearts Card Game
Primary Platform: Card game
Format: Players aim to avoid certain cards while collecting others to earn the lowest score possible.
Hearts Card Game is more than just a pastime—it improves strategic thinking and social skills.
Card games often teach players to anticipate opponents’ moves, enhancing cognitive flexibility—a helpful life skill. Hearts fosters strategic thinking and social interaction.
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Halo
Primary Platform: PC and Console
Format: Players engage in first-person shooter combat, navigating complex environments and completing objectives.
With 72,000 monthly searches on Google alone, Halo is a powerhouse for enhancing spatial skills and strategic thinking.
This shooter game is a full-on cognitive workout. Players need to navigate complex environments, make split-second decisions, and devise strategies to outsmart opponents.
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Football Video Games
Primary Platform: PC and Console
Format: Players control virtual football teams, competing in matches against AI or other players.
Football’s legacy popularity is on the field as well as on screen.
This sport’s video game isn’t just about scoring goals—it boosts reaction time and decision-making.
Football games simulate real-world scenarios, requiring quick thinking and adaptive decision-making. These skills are valuable both on and off the virtual pitch.
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Family Feud
Primary Platform: Social group setting (based on a game show)
Format: Players answer survey questions to guess the most popular responses, competing against another team.
Family Feud enhances general knowledge and quick thinking and also stimulates memory. It encourages social interaction and teamwork, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
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Super Mario
Primary Platform: Console
Format: Players control Mario, navigating through levels filled with obstacles, enemies, and puzzles to rescue Princess Peach.
The Mario franchise has produced some of the highest-grossing games. It’s a classic game that challenges players to think creatively and solve puzzles
The addictive game enhances spatial navigation and problem-solving.
MPL says, “The world of gaming offers a plethora of opportunities to elevate cognitive abilities and potentially boost IQ.”
“Whether you prefer mobile, console, PC, or traditional physical games, there’s something for everyone to flex their mental muscles.”