Playing video games in moderation may sharpen cognitive skills by allowing players to practice complex tasks in simulated environments, according to recent research and expert analysis.

Aaron Seitz, a psychology professor and director of the Brain Game Centre for Mental Fitness and Well-Being at Northeastern University, told The Washington Post that video games offer a unique cognitive advantage over traditional brain-training apps. "When individuals play video games, they are honing intricate skills within simulated settings," Seitz explained, contrasting this with conventional brain games that often prioritise simplicity.

Recent studies support this assessment. Research published in September 2025 found that even a single video game session improved cognitive reaction speed, accuracy, and processing capabilities in male college students, with benefits linked to increased prefrontal lobe activation. A separate international study of over 1,400 participants found that regular gamers who played five or more hours weekly performed cognitively as if they were 13 to 14 years younger than their actual age.

Finding the Sweet Spot

The cognitive benefits appear most pronounced with moderate play. Research from Nottingham Trent University indicated that individuals who played games one to five hours per week showed 5% better accuracy in processing virtual information, with brain scans revealing enhanced activity in regions including the lingual gyrus and supplementary motor area. Even those who played less than five hours weekly performed as if they were about five years younger cognitively.

A 2025 study at the University of Colorado Boulder, which analysed 1,241 individuals aged 28 to 49, found that video gaming significantly improved spatial reasoning, with processing speed also showing measurable gains. Meanwhile, research published in JAMA Network Open found that children who played video games for three hours or more daily demonstrated faster and more accurate responses on cognitive tasks involving impulse control and working memory compared to non-gamers.

Moderation Matters

Experts emphasise that excessive gaming carries risks. Prolonged gaming sessions have been linked to attention difficulties, sleep disruption, and reduced academic performance. Research indicates that while moderate gaming can enhance cognition, gaming alone does not improve mental health, a benefit more closely associated with physical exercise.

The findings position video games as potentially valuable cognitive training tools when used appropriately. As gaming research continues to evolve, scientists are working to identify which game features and play patterns optimise cognitive benefits while minimising potential harms.