“Nice move, Grandpa!”

Depending on the context, this line could be a well-placed zinger to a fellow gamer who is a little slower on the draw or generally lagging behind. Or, as new research suggests, it could be an actual compliment as Gramps demonstrates to younger players that he actually has what the kids call “game.” A growing number of seasoned citizens — which AARP lumps in the broad group as anyone over age 50 — are discovering, or maybe rediscovering, the fun of video games.

New health research combined with advances in gaming technology have made modern games not just fun to play or watch, but beneficial for a senior’s mental and physical health. A 2008 University of Illinois study found that people age 60-70 showed improvement in multiple mental areas after playing video games, including improvements in their ability to multitask.

More recently, a 2013 study, funded by Nature magazine andNational Institutes of Health Institute on Aging, shows similar findings that multitasking improved after a month of playing a special 3-D video game an hour each day. The subjects’ performance was comparable to 20-year-olds and didn’t decline even six months later.

What kinds of games

The 2013 experiment featured a customized 3-D driving game called "Neuroracer" where participants tried to keep a car in the center of a winding road and respond to the direction of traffic signs. As the player improved, challenges increased. The study group consisted of 46 people: some played the game, some tried a similar video game with only one task and some weren’t given any games to play.

Right now, "Neuroracer" isn’t on the market, but there are other cognitive boosting games that are available for the public. For instance, Nintendo Wii offers some products that appeal to players of all ages like "Wii Sports" which offers low-impact activities like bowling or golf, or "Wii Fit," which includes a variety of stretching and balance programs.

A 2013 study at North Carolina State University’s Gain through Gaming program said that 17 percent of surveyed seniors said they play video games almost daily, including the Wii titles, plus puzzle games like sudoku or crosswords, or card games.

Seniors may even like modern combat games like "Battlefield 4," especially something that might require strategy and an organized campaign component, more than just shooting bad guys.

What this means

Researchers seem excited about the potential of these early experiments, which can go further than new sources of entertainment. A simple, fun way to boost mental clarity can perhaps lead to ways to reduce effects of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, or at least reduce general depression from not being active.

Some assisted living communities have started adding gaming areas to their activities. Residents enjoy playing and also cheering for their friends.

Being able to multitask and function longer can also keep more seniors out of nursing homes and relieve stress on families. Game developers may want to target senior gamers as a potential new audience for their products.