The Arcade Challenge - 94 year old champion

Final Score: 142 vs 129

Last October during my visit, i challenged a 94 years old lady to a game of 'Dokidoki Hebi Taiji II' ('Thrilling Snakebuster II').' It was really not as easy as it seemed, but we had some good fun!

I have been training up and looking forward to challenging her once again this coming September during the upcoming AAIF in Japan.

Dokidoki Hebi Taiji II' ('Thrilling Snakebuster II') is developed by Japanese game maker, Bandai Namco with Kyushu University Hospital. The motion from playing this game helps to strengthen legs and hip muscles, which is important to prevent falls. Representative from Kyushu University shared that playing the game also increases cerebral blood flows especially to the frontal lobe, which may help to slow the progress of cognitive impairment.

This game machine along with four other types, each aimed at rehabilitating different muscle groups, are housed in Kaikaya, a day nursing care facility by Bandai Namco Group. Tapping into the elderly's competitive spirit, the facility staff uses the games to not just engage the elderly, but also to promote fun in their rehabilitation, which can be seen as regimental and boring. Situated within a shopping mall, Kaikaya houses an average of 39 elderly daily, and about 10 percent are elderly living with dementia.