Video games can be a fun escape from reality, although some people often interpret them as violent, lazy, and a waste of time. So the question is: can video games really make you smarter? Video games can improve brain functions related to memory, strategic planning and increase hand-eye coordination. (Guarini) The video games in question are not full-hour games, because too much of everything is bad; even with broccoli or water, extreme amounts of either can be toxic. It is believed that 91% of American families play video games. However, 83% of parents set a time limit on games for their children. (Van Camp) Some participants played Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day for two months and showed increases in the prefrontal cortex, the frontal lobes of the brain linked to personality expression, decision making and social behavior. , compared to those who did not play. (Guarini) Video games, action ones in particular, can help you make decisions faster and increase attention to detail. Games like Call of Duty or Battlefield require quick thinking to avoid getting killed. Games like this require players to aim and shoot accurately and quickly across the screen while constantly searching for other enemies. (Spector)Action games could also improve the vision of people who don't usually play video games. People who play action video games, like the ones mentioned above, are able to distinguish color contrast more easily. (Spector) A group of non-gamers were asked to play Call of Duty for a certain period of time. At the end of the gaming session the human visual system was improved and the benefits lasted for at least five months for...... half paper ......and limits for yourself and don't exaggerateWorks CitedGuarini , He drew. “9 Ways Video Games Can Actually Be Good for You.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, November 7, 2013. Web. March 16, 2014. Villines, Zawn. “Find the right therapist.” GoodTherapyorg Therapy Blog Five Surprising Benefits of Video Game Commentary. Np, January 27, 2013. Web. March 18, 2014. Klein, Sarah and Copyright Health Magazine 2011. “Study: Too Many Video Games May Shorten Attention Span.” CNN. Cable News Network, July 5, 2010. Web. March 19, 2014. Oskin, Becky. “Teens and Video Games: How Much is Too Much?” WordsSideKick.com. WordsSideKick.com and Web. March 19, 2014.Fleming, Nic. “Why video games can be good for you.” Future of the BBC. Np, nd Web. March 17, 2014.Spector, Dina. “11 Ways Video Games Make You Smarter and Healthier.” Company interior. Business Insider, Inc, September 11, 2013. Web. March 24. 2014.