The single player mode is flat out boring and does not give that “just one more try” feeling. You are not compelled to make your brain bigger, despite what White Mr. Hanky may think.

There are some fun group games to play, but as a single player affair those too are boring. Brain Quiz is probably the most exciting as it randomizes the difficulty level of the games and imposes a time limit. While the other multiplayer games can feature up to eight players, actual gameplay is done between a maximum of two remotes, which means you’ll be passing the Wiimote quite a bit (which, with any game where you have to share something - and detracts from the fun). The mind sprint mode is a neat idea because you’ll be handing off the remote to another teammate like a true relay race. The multiplayer games do have their moments too; it’s just that you need more than two people to truly enjoy them.

The graphics don’t really look any better than a DS game. It’s presented as a widescreen game but basically there are vertical letterbox backgrounds that are static and never change. They are rather crisp, clear and cartoonish. The Mii’s that you’ve created walk throughout the school which is cute, but doesn’t really add a whole lot beyond being extras (too bad you couldn’t compete against them as a computer bot, for example). The audio is cute and addictive in a Wii-menu and Wii-sports sort of way.

While the game says that a “wireless router is required for online play” (it’s right on the back of the box, really!), there is no online play unless “send me your student record” is a game, in which case the online is amazing. The game should support some online multiplayer, but it doesn’t and the attempt at a crude ‘ghost’ type of mode is online at a very basic level.

Overall Big Brain Academy is a big disappointment. While the game does try to bring over the fun of the DS title and the controls aren’t bad, no one should be forced to pay full price for such a very small number of games with little or no replay value. Wii Play at least was kind enough to include an extra controller! The hotseat multiplayer is fun, but the single player is over in less time than it takes to play a Virtual Console game.