Activating adolescents’ “hot” executive functions in a digital game to train cognitive skills: The effects of age and prior abilities

•Custom built digital game increased executive function (shifting) in adolescents.•Effects were augmented through “emotional design” in a “hot” version of the game.•“Hot” version was particularly effective for the older participants (14 and 15).•”Hot” version also effective for participants with higher prior EF.