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

[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.

"[8] To Lomas, it also did not help the jokes felt labored, "the kind of humour that will only appeal to 35-year-olds who think Hale and Pace are funny".

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.