The Lawnmower Man

Pattern recognition

Seeing the loop before it loops. Stop playing to survive for one run. Play to describe: say out loud what the boss does, in order.

Hand-eye coordination

Thumbs that do what your eyes saw. Play one level with a rule: no panic presses. Every button has a reason.

Spatial thinking

Holding a map in your head. Play a maze game without the map screen for twenty minutes. Draw it on paper afterwards and check.