For a game that’s just shy of 20 years old, this is proof-positive that some things are timeless. As a long-time owner (yeah, I got it when it originally came out in 1995 on CD-ROM...), I can truly say the charm remains, as does the irreverence. Despite the years, the sarcasm and prodding by the “host” is just as relevant now as it was then. I always leave the game with a smile on my face.

Not only does the Steam re-release introduce a whole new generation to YDKJ, but it ditches the CD-ROM and related issues (Try grabbing the original disc and installing it on a modern, 64-bit O/S. Won’t happen without a LOT of work)...

My only real gripe is that the game is perpetually stuck at a 640x480 resolution, and going full-screen requires a manual change of the PC’s resolution to 720x480

**P.S. DO NOT forget to snag the others in the franchise. They're worth every penny!

Going back to You Don't Know Jack after so many years and sequels, it becomes clear how little the formula has changed over the almost two decade history of the franchise. That shouldn't be taken as an insult to the series, but a compliment to just how timeless and clever the original still is.

If you've never played YDKJ, the gist is that it's a game show in your living room (or wherever your computer might resides. A raunchy, hilarious, shamelessly offensive, and remarkably clever trivia game that never misses a chance to break the forth wall to insult you, as it simultaneously pretends to congratulate your correct answer. The developers clearly loved what they were doing and that shows through in an abundance of little touches that add so much, from the fake commercials to the terrible names they bestow upon you, to the unrivaled abuse of pop culture in every question and the effortless delivery by your host Cookie. If you aren't laughing, you may very well be dead inside.

The only "con" I can give YDKJ is that given its age, some of the questions and references are a bit dated. Those without ample knowledge of the 80's and 90's might find themselves a bit lost at times, so if you are hoping for something a bit more relevant one of the more recent games may be a better choice. Everyone else shouldn't hesitate to pick this up, grab two friends (and some drinks while you're at it), and get ready to burst into tears as you learn:

You Don't Know Jack!

While this was never the most graphically beautiful game of its time, it was originally made in Flash. In its day, it was one of the greatest games of all time, purely for the sound and music. The action "behind the scenes" in terms of audio made this game visceral. Streaming it over a 56K dialup connection was laboriously slow but worth the wait. Later gaming consoles brought about titles like "Buzz" for the Sony Play Station. But this was the grand daddy of them all. From the host who made you feel like crap if you got an answer wrong, to the ability to "Screw" your apponents, this was one of the best party games available in the 90's.
The best experiences were when you played with friends, though it does have a single player option. The mini games like "Jack Attack" and "The Gibberish Question" kept the gameplay moving along in a way that you couldnt wait to see what the next category was.
Great Game :)

Whether you've played any YDKJ game or not, this game will still be very excellent. You Don't Know Jack is basically a quiz game, with humor involved. I've played this on the Roku 2, and I liked it very much. This is a classic YDKJ from the 90's.

7/10

I remember playing this game as a youngling... As funny now as it was then.