What did a scientific review reveal about the relationship between video games and memory?

Video games have long been a topic of debate regarding the amount of time we spend in front of screens. For some, they’re simply a form of entertainment; for others, a distracting habit; and there are also those who see them as a potential tool for memory training. The reality, however, appears to be more complex.

A new systematic review and meta-analysis, published in *Acta Psychologica*, compiled data from two decades of research to examine how gaming is linked to cognitive functions such as memory, attention, cognitive control, spatial ability, and intelligence. According to the findings, video games appear to be associated with modest cognitive benefits, primarily in memory.

What the review showed about memory

The researchers analyzed 133 studies published between January 2005 and August 2025, involving a total of 14,245 participants. The analysis included three different types of studies: observational studies, comparisons between gamers and non-gamers, and controlled trials.

In the observational studies, the association between gaming and overall cognitive ability was positive but weak. The strongest link was observed in memory. Games often require memorizing rules, paths, goals, patterns, and strategies—elements that may repeatedly activate memory skills; however, researchers remain cautious.

In studies comparing gamers with non-gamers, gamers showed a slight advantage in areas such as spatial ability, visual attention, cognitive control, and intelligence. However, such comparisons cannot prove whether video games cause these differences or whether people with certain skills simply tend to play more.

Controlled trials, which are more useful for examining potential causality, showed the smallest but most reliable results. In these studies, memory was the only cognitive domain that showed improvement. Therefore, more research is needed to investigate the potential benefits, how long they might last, who they might apply to, or what types of games might have the greatest effect.

Not all games are the same

Notably, the analyses did not identify significant differences based on gender, age, cultural background, health status, duration of the intervention, or type of game. Nevertheless, the researchers note that the field remains complex.

A fast-paced action game that requires intense visual attention and quick decisions is one thing, and quite another is a strategy game based on planning and foresight, and yet another is simply a relaxing game involving repetitive activity. Gaming is not a single, uniform experience, but a broad category with very different demands.

What we must maintain in any case is balance. Video games don’t have to be viewed solely as “wasted time,” since in some cases they may even offer small cognitive benefits. On the other hand, it’s important to maintain moderation, without neglecting sleep, physical activity, social interactions, and other habits that support healthy brain function.

Source: in.gr