If you put hours and hours into games such as Pokémon Red and Blue throughout your childhood, your brain may well have created a small region dedicated to remembering Pikachu and the gang.
Researchers from Standford University have discovered that adults who played Pokémon games extensively as children have a region of the brain which favourably responds to images of the series' characters. The study presented images of Pokémon characters to both those who played the games regularly and those who have no knowledge of the series, unsurprisingly finding that the brains of regular players responded more.
What is surprising, though, is that it was the very same area of each participant's brain which activated during the test. Activity was noticed in a brain fold located just behind the ears called the occipitotemporal sulcus, an area believed to respond to images of animals (perhaps the closest thing to Pokémon characters). In the same way we store words and faces, the brain also finds a special, dedicated spot for remembering Charmander, Mewtwo, and all of your favourite pocket monsters.
The study supports the belief that exposure at a young age helps the brain to develop dedicated regions, and also highlights the differences between our central and peripheral vision; the size of a Game Boy screen ensures that the Pokémon characters only take up a small part of the player’s view, meaning that preferential brain activations can be found in the part of the visual cortex that deals with central vision specifically.
If you're reading this in your twenties or thirties, still with an unexplainable love for all things Pokémon, you can now rest easy knowing that your brain is scientifically hardwired to love it. Wow.
[source news.stanford.edu, via engadget.com]
Comments 44
I start to like Pokemon games after i finished Pokemon X and Alpha Sapphire on this year.
Before that, 6 years ago i was so skeptical if i can enjoy Pokemon games.
I put in the same amount of hours, but on the Mega Drive, predominantly on Sonic games. Probably why the movie design activates the part of my brain called the hollywoodporal suckus.
Research money well spent.
Can I sue Gamefreak for this. Invasion of my brains privacy
Therefore Pokebrain Training
Was this study conducted by the same people that say playing video games that depict violence turn you into a serial killer?
Never played Pokémon, that finally explains why I'm a bit slow!
It develops the collectathon cortex, which is important to understanding all of Nintendo’s licensed games.
"Gotta Occipitotemporal Sulcus 'em all" doesn't have the same ring to it
If I understood it correctly, playing Pokemon games develop a useless part of a brain that does not correspond to any skill other than recognizing Pokemon? Pretty poor investment, considering how playing other types of games give you actually useful skills like improved reaction time or pattern recognition.
At least the research itself sounds interesting and has potential for future breakthroughs in the field.
That brain looks exactly like those walnuts I am currently eating.
My lil nephew could say more Pokemon names than actual words. Not now but when he was 3 he couldn't really talk, but if you showed him a Pokemon he could name it
Ok,THIS is AWESOME.
@Preposterous Certainly explains how I can remember almost every Pokemon by name if you just flash me a picture of any of them.
Perhaps that's why all the other kids called me special growing up.
It makes sense, pokemon can be remembered as fondly as a pet.
This explains much
@Preposterous It's not useless. It also helps with identifying animals.
@The_Mysteron no clearly this is a study conducted by only the most gifted and intelligent zombies!
They know all about the brainsss
Well we were in the middle of our brains developing in the younger years - so it makes sense. But yes, as someone else in the comments section has already stated - its nostalgia. The main reason why Gen 1 has been referenced to death across the whole series. Gamefreak is aware of this too.
I put in a lot of hours in these games back in the day that’s for sure. A lot of us did.
IV Training your brain
In my generation Brain Boy, this region is known as the Kanto region. We are known to see the world in shades of white and green, and while we might know much (only 151 things), most of us are adamant what we do know is the best things. Later things are cool, but never quite as good.
I knew it, my newborn's first words are EA bad nintendo good
I still play pokemon, and have been since before I could even read. I still have a few fond memories of my Grandma reading the text boxes in Diamond. Good times! Show me a pokemon, and I'll likely know it. Anyway, this is some interesting stuff!
@TempOr I never played one after Blue and Stadium. Playing blue 3-4 times was enough for me. My brother faired better playing silver, emerald, and LGFR.
I found it very odd to discover adults still play Pokemon.
Then again Xenoblade 2 is similar.
I had always joked that I could remember the power and accuracy of obscure TM moves at the cost of pushing out beloved childhood memories.
Apparently nothing got pushed out and I just partitioned my brain with a Pokemon folder. Thanks science!
I wonder how my Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, EarthBound, Terranigma, Paper Mario, Fire Emblem, Xenoblade brain looks like compared to a Pokébrain.
@Reigestugatensho Actually the study was made by two Alakazam that used high tech Metagross to run the simulations.
Pokemon could not fill my brain as a child due to non-existence. I'm sure it probably has Looney Tunes, The Flintstones and Good Simpsons somewhere in there.
@BulbasaurusRex Does it really? I only watched the video, is there something about recognizing different animal species in the full study? They mentioned it being the same part of the brain, but no actual improvement of any skill.
Makes sense! Show me a Pokemon, and I can name it 99 times out of 100. I have the first four generations down to a T, but it gets a tad harder after that. XD I briefly forgot Necrozma's name recently, for example.
I was heavily into Pokemon as a kid, especially RBY and GSC. I slowed down on it a little bit as I grew older, but not by much. I pretty much have played every single major Pokemon game (and most of the spin offs) up to the latest Sun and Moon remixes. I still play RBY and GSC though.
Now I have Pokebrain. Thanks a lot, Gamefreak.
I have no Idea what is he talking about one bit..
"Crap, now I remember Lucario's name, but I forgot my wife's face!"
Yeah it’s called Nostalgia
@Preposterous Since it is the same part of the brain, then obviously developing it further will help it with everything it does. Pokémon are just one variety of "animals" in this case. Being better able to identify those animals should also extend to the "real life" variety.
@BulbasaurusRex I wouldn't be so sure, unless we're talking about identifying animal images from up close or on Gameboy screen, since that's how that part of the brain works, apparently.
@Preposterous Since it helps identifying animals then that is a good skill because you would know if that certain animal is dangerous or not I believe.
@Preposterous it's a stupid article in that sense as it doesn't mention the competitive and nurturing aspects.
I even successfully hit on a girl today with my romantic Pokemon attack patterns, growth, harden, pursuit and baton pass my benefits onto her 😂.
Breeding aspects and reading text heavy Pokemon ranger games also stimulate the mind.
Study Finds People Who Played Pokémon Recognise Pokémon
@VyseN I thought the Kanto only knew 4 things and had to forget one of them to learn a new thing
Hm, I can remember any and every pokemon (not in order or anything), but I can't remember what I had for breakfast 😖
So, it's basically nostalgia combined with a part of the brain that responds to animals? Since these memories are often good in both areas it isn't a surprise how these games outweigh others in terms of instant recognition.
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