JEOPARDY and WHEEL OF FORTUNE
(star)(star)(star)
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Quiz/Puzzle
Platform: PS2
Rated: Everyone
As quiz show spectaculars such as “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and “Weakest Link” fade into television obscura, the two workhorses of the genre, “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” continue to engage loyal audiences and rope in new viewers. Because landing a contestant spot on either show is no easy feat, Atari has ported the programs to your PlayStation 2, where you can attempt to win big without the worry of looking like a dunce on national television.
“Jeopardy” is a solid re-creation of the show, right down to video clips of the chilly Alex Trebek addressing a very ambiguous “Player One” from time to time. The board is set up the same, with several categories of questions and dollar amounts. Buzz in when you think you know the answer, and navigate a user-unfriendly alphabet wheel to punch in the answer. You need to have your spelling right, though, as the game only fills in your answer if your middle name is “Webster.”
“Wheel of Fortune” features almost every icon from the hit show, save for a curiously absent Pat Sajak. Instead, the ageless Vanna White acts as the host, guiding players through the game, spinning the wheel and buying vowels. “Fortune” also offers themed sets, such as an underwater paradise. White is more accommodating than Trebek, who, even in video game land, still has the ability to make the player feel decidedly stupid for missing an answer.
