This title is a little misleading, as we couldn’t get our hands on every single Jeopardy! video game that ever existed, and apparently there have been over 40! Some of the older ones are hard to come across these days. Yes, I’m talking about the Nintendo Entertainment Systems games and the first Jeopardy! for PlayStation. They are what they call oldies, but goodies nonetheless. We’ve prepared an overview of some of the most important, popular, and entertaining Jeopardy! video games.
Jeopardy! has won multiple awards and nominations in its day. Needless to say, it is one of the most iconic television game shows to date! The show has been on air for decades with over 8,000 episodes out, and it’s not planning on stopping anytime soon. Though the passing of Jeopardy!’s beloved host Alex Trebek left everyone in shock, Jeopardy! will continue to shine in his honor and bring joy to people’s living rooms.
Through the years, Jeopardy! has accumulated a whole base of loyal fans, as well as a slew of related products. We’re not just talking merchandise in the form of t-shirts, hoodies, and board games. In this article, we’ll focus on video games.
Here is a quick recap to refresh your memory: On the Jeopardy! game show, players have to answer trivia questions that are presented in the form of answers. Usually, three players compete for cash prizes (more information on that here!) and the title of the winner with a live studio audience.
Now you can recreate the set of Jeopardy! in your home! Jeopardy! board and card games have been great options for years now. (Well, minus all the prep work that goes into actually becoming a Jeopardy! contestant!). What’s better than sitting down in the living room with your family and playing a quick round of Jeopardy!?
Well, how about playing a Jeopardy! video game! You can play Jeopardy! on your Mac or Windows desktop computer, PS4 or PS5, Xbox, and other consoles/mobile devices. Play Jeopardy! online, with strangers from around the world, or with your closest friends. The world of Jeopardy! seems to be never-ending, and you’re about to explore it a little more.
Jeopardy! World Tour (iOS and Android) (2017)
If you’re a recent lover of Jeopardy! games, you must already know about Jeopardy! World Tour. This app is a free Jeopardy! game you can download on your iOS or Android device. The mobile app was released not too long ago, in 2017, and has been quite popular ever since.
In the game, you get to answer multiple-choice trivia questions. You can play with strangers in real time or opt for solo play. The game offers a wide range of categories and difficulty levels, so even the most demanding players can enjoy. If you’re really keen on winning, you can use power-ups to remove false answers or gain more time to answer a question.
The game is still available for download and it’s free! If you want a quick and easy Jeopardy! experience on your mobile device, give it a go.
THQ Jeopardy! (2010-2012)
THQ originally released a Jeopardy! video game for Wii and Nintendo DS back in 2010. In 2012, it followed up with a new and improved version for PlayStation 3, Wii U, and Xbox 360. The game quickly gained popularity and it’s still for sale on Amazon, though it’s nearly sold out.
The game is voiced by the show’s most iconic host, Alex Trebek. Players have described the game as quite fun, but not suitable for kids. Pro tip: it’s more fun to play with friends than alone. Even though the game was popular, it doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of positive reviews. Most of the reviews are neutral.
Jeopardy! Sony PlayStation 2 (2003)
In 2003, one of the best Jeopardy! video games came out. This version was meant for PlayStation 2. Just like in the show, up to three contestants can compete at a time. The game has over 4,000 answers for your questions, and lots of unique and interesting features.
One of the aforementioned features is the contestant exam. You can take the contestant exam to find out how you would do in relation to real players that have gone on the game show. For some more relaxed entertainment, watch behind the scenes clips and interviews with Alex Trebek. Choose from a variety of different play modes, including Classic Jeopardy!, Solo Game, and Tournament.
This game is great fun for the whole family. There is a good range of questions, from easy to challenging, though none are impossible to answer. You can play with the settings and adjust the timer for questions or decide how strict you want to be with the spelling. You can even get rid of multiple choice questions if you want.
Overall, this game is still considered one of the best Jeopardy! video games ever made. Sure, it’s not perfect. It may seem outdated now and you won’t be impressed with the graphics, but if you enjoy Jeopardy!, you can enjoy this game!
Jeopardy! Sony PlayStation 1 (1998)
Another excellent video game version of Jeopardy! came out one year earlier, in 1998, for all Sony PlayStation 1 users. The game has six categories, with 5 questions in each category. The first round is your opportunity to make as much money as you can by playing Jeopardy! trivia. Collect your winnings and proceed to double your money in the second round. That round ends with Final Jeopardy!, followed by the announcement of the winner!
This game has over 3,500 answers created by writers of the game show. As always, there are three modes of play: Classic, Solo, and Tournament. The game is suitable for up to three players. Of course, some of the questions are dated now, but the game still maintained its charm. In between games, you can enjoy video clips and a speech from Alex Trebek himself!
NES (1987-1990)
Software developer Rare created some of the older Jeopardy! games back in the late 1980s. The series was designed specifically for Nintendo Entertainment Systems. The first game consisted of general knowledge questions for everyone. The second game was titled the “Kids’ Edition” and featured easier questions that are more suitable for children. The third was the “Anniversary Edition” that was meant to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Art Fleming version debut.
Up to three contestants can play in one game. If you don’t have friends to play with, the machine can replace the remaining contestants. The first two rounds consist of six categories with five questions each, all randomly selected. The player that answers the last question correctly gets to pick the category and monetary value. Naturally, harder questions go for more money.
Each player gets ten seconds to buzz in with their answer and then 30 more to actually type their answer in. Though Jeopardy! is no spelling bee, grammar is kind of important in this video game. Then comes the last round—Final Jeopardy!. That consists of only one question, which all contestants get to answer and bet their money on. After that, the winner is revealed.
Overall, the questions are mostly focused on general knowledge. Of course, the questions in the Kids’ Edition are geared more towards younger players.
Jeopardy! Video Game Categories
Much like our beloved Trivial Pursuit, Trivia Crack, and other popular trivia games, Jeopardy! as a show is known for having six categories. When it comes to the categories in the aforementioned games, they can range from one video game to another.
If you know Jeopardy!, you know these categories can get quite absurd. Some of my favorite categories in Jeopardy! World Tour, for instance, are: Cheese, Cold-blooded animals, College towns, Scrambled eggs, 2-letter words, and King Arthur. If that’s not general knowledge, I don’t know what is! Do you think you would be able to answer a question, or provide a question to a given answer, in these categories? If so, then Jeopardy! was made for you!
Jeopardy! Video Game Questions (Samples)
It’s safe to assume that the majority of the adult population of North America has seen an episode or two of Jeopardy! If you are no exception, then you know that the questions can get weird! And for those who are not familiar with Jeopardy!, here is a little taste of the questions. These questions were taken from the Jeopardy! World Tour app. If you enjoy them, give the game a try!
- THE BRANCH OF CRIMINOLOGY THAT STUDIES THE PUNISHMENT & TREATMENT OF CRIMINALS IS CALLED THIS
- CAREFUL: TINA FEY’S TITLE “ROCK” MINUS ASHTON KUTCHER’S TITLE “MEN”
- IN THE 1930s THIS COUNTRY CONQUERED MANCHURIA
- DESPITE ITS TITLE, THIS 1848 CHARLES DICKENS NOVEL IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT A FATHER & HIS DAUGHTER, NOT HIS SON
- THE MONTGOLFIER BROTHERS DESIGNED THE FIRST ONE OF THESE TO FLY MANNED & UNTETHERED
- FORMERLY KNOWN AS SKYDOME, TORONTO’S ROGERS CENTRE IS HOME TO THE BLUE JAYS & THIS CFL TEAM
- IN 1956, THIS ITALIAN LINER SANK AFTER BEING RAMMED BY THE STOCKHOLM, A SWEDISH LINER
- LIKE HIS COUSIN JIMMY LEE SWAGGART, THIS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL GREAT’S MIDDLE NAME IS ALSO LEE
- THE WESLEYAN CHURCH WAS A JOINING OF THE PILGRIM HOLINESS CHURCH & THE WESLEYAN BRANCH OF THIS CHURCH
- IN 1867 HE WROTE, “I HAVE ALMOST RESOLVED TO PUBLISH A LITTLE ESSAY ON THE ORIGIN OF MANKIND”
- SOME SCIENTISTS SAY GLOBAL TEMPERATURES RISE MOSTLY FROM ACCUMULATION OF THIS GAS
- BY 1920, THIS AMERICAN COMPANY HAD BECOME THE LARGEST MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD
- CAPOTE GAINED FAME WITH THIS “OTHER”-WORLDLY 1948 NOVEL ABOUT A TEENAGER IN A CRUMBLING SOUTHERN MANSION
- THE NAME OF THIS DISH CONSISTING OF TUBULAR PASTA STUFFED WITH MEAT OR CHEESE IS ITALIAN FOR “BIG TUBES”
- THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS GOT FAMOUS PLAYING BALL TO HER TUNE
- AS 2016 CAME TO A CLOSE, THIS REAL ESTATE WEBSITE REPORTED THAT U.S. HOUSING REACHED A TOTAL VALUE OF $29.6 TRILLION
- “I HEAR YOUR VOICE, IT’S LIKE AN ANGEL SIGHING; I HAVE NO CHOICE, I HEAR YOUR VOICE; FEELS LIKE FLYING”
- IT’S THE CAPITAL OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
- HELENA, HERMIA & HIPPOLYTA ARE CHARACTERS IN THIS PLAY
- THIS AIRLINE TOOK OFF SAYING, “YOU’LL LOVE THE WAY WE FLY”
Game On!
Though video games can feel quite new, they’ve been around for a while. Jeopardy! trivia games are the perfect example of that. One advantage video games have over board games is that you can play alone. If you’re not feeling particularly social, you don’t need to be! You can enjoy your game all by yourself. And if you ever feel as though the game would be better if you could share it with someone, you can do that too. Jeopardy! video games are generally suitable for as many as three players (and an unlimited amount if you’re playing Jeopardy! World Tour).
As Jeopardy! is only gaining popularity, we hope to have more video games to play in the future. And for now, let us know how you feel about the games mentioned in this article! Have you tried any of these games? Which one is your favorite? Did we miss an important game? Let us know in the comments!
Leave a Reply