The only thing missing in this game which is based on the television gameshow is Dick Clark and his famous goodbye salute. The game contains all the excitement and challenge as the television show did and offers just as many hours of fun and fast gameplay. It also contains the dry wit you find in the You Don’t Know Jack series, and you know how much that adds to the fun.

The game opens with the familiar theme music and there in all its glory is the pyramid and two chairs facing each other. The rich opening lets you know that this is going to be a game you will be playing over and over. The introduction, “Here from Television City in Hollywood and your PC” is announced in deep tones of your PC announcer. The music dies down and the game begins.

You begin by choosing an avatar of who you feels best represents you. You are then asked to choose from the four choices of name (personally I like Rock Stone). After you have chosen both you are then given the choices of gameplay. You can choose single player, double or for the party hearty group. I recommend that you try all three as each one has their own individual challenge as well as fun.

The game follows the show it is based on almost to a T! To play doubles you will each take a turn, with clues given by the computer generated partner. As in the television gameshow, you are given 6 categories on the pyramid to choose from and each range in easiest on the first level to the biggie on the last.  Your player will then give you clues to what you are trying to guess and you in turn will have to type in your answer. One thing here I really enjoyed was the fact that with the clock running, you must type in your answer fast. Now for those of us, whose typing skills pretty much reached their zenith in High School typing class, it could be a problem. Never fear the game allows you to type in at least the first three to four correct letters and fills in the rest of the word, thus giving you a chance to score a point. If you get stuck on a clue just hit on the tab key and move on to the next word.

The other options of play are pretty much the same except for the fact that the computer eliminates the category instead of your opponent after his or her play. Your clues are given by some of the best partners I have seen in a long time. Their delivery is priceless! They are prone to grimaces, lots of rapid arm movement and smiles bigger and brighter than any toothpaste commercial on television today! They really lend to the fun of the game. Another thing I want to point out here is just how hard some of the categories are. I admit that I was a big fan of the show and never missed it. This said, I expected this version to be a piece of cake. How wrong I was! The questions range from easy to difficult, depending on the level you choose, but none are so easy you wonder why you are playing. The final challenge stumped me more than once and makes you want to play over and over again to get to the top of the pyramid and claim that 100,000 if only in virtual green. But then, that makes it all the more fun and a lot less hard to take when you lose!             

Install: Easy
Includes the installation of single CD.

Gameplay: 8.9
Gameplay is consistent throughout the game. Players will appreciate the fact that no matter what level of questions you are playing none are too easy to make the game lag or too challenging to make you want to quit. The game is fast paced and a good variety of questions are given to keep the game moving.

Graphics: 9.5
Graphics are absolutely beautiful. Rich and bold colors of everything from the chairs to the pyramid itself. Characters are well defined from the grimaces to the smiles. A sense of a real gameshow-taking place is felt throughout the game.

Sound: 9.5
The sound is superb. The dialogue is crystal clear and the sound is Dolby all the way. The music is beautifully done and you get the feel of being in real time.

Difficulty: 9.5
The difficulty is excellently proportioned. No matter what level question you are on, you must do some quick thinking and typing. It is one of those games where you find yourself saying “why didn’t I know that” and start the game all over again more determined than ever!   

Concept: 9.3
The game is based on the gameshow and follows it right down to the music. It is charades 2001 style and does it in style all the way.

Multiplayer: N/A

Overall: 9.4
I loved this game when it was on television and this PC version brought back the fun and nostalgia of those golden years when game shows ruled the TV. Even if you have not seen the television version, you will enjoy the game just as much. It is one of those games, which can be played by family members as well as a party group. It is fast paced, well done, and never a dull moment. With that said, I will end this review and head on over to the pyramid and try and win that 100,000. Okay, maybe the money is not real, but the fun sure is!