Prior to developing You Don't Know Jack, Learn Television was a company focused on children's educational films.

[13] According to market research firm PC Data, it was the 17th-best-selling computer game in the United States that year.

[14] Reviewing the Macintosh version of the original You Don't Know Jack, a Next Generation critic praised the social nature of the game and the witty presentation.

The editors wrote that "it's great fun watching people whiff on answers at parties", and that "anyone who's ever wanted to see game shows skewered will have a ball with this.

The editors wrote, "You Don’t Know Jack did more than simply provide a fun way to spend time at the computer.

You Don't Know Jack also received Computer Game Review's "Best Voiceover Work of the Year" prize.

Steven Levy of the magazine wrote, "When it comes to creating a great party game that works on the computer, many have tried, and most have failed.