Wheel of Fortune video games#Handheld games

An Atari 2600 adaptation of Wheel of Fortune was planned by The Great Game Co. in 1983, but ended up being cancelled during development.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Atari 2600|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-1983/2600-5437|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} In 1987 the first of GameTek's many Wheel games was published, with Sharedata as its developer; this version was released simultaneously on the Commodore 64{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Commodore 64|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-898271/c64-702184 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526054613/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-898271/c64-702184 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 26, 2013 |website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} and the Nintendo Entertainment System,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for NES|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-898271/nes-898122|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627184917/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-898271/nes-898122|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2012|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} and subsequently spawned a second Commodore 64 version of Wheel from Sharedata,{{cite web|url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=31458|title = Overview – Wheel of Fortune: New Third Edition|author = Weiss, Brett|website = allgame|access-date = May 26, 2010}} as well as a "Family Edition"{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune Family Edition for NES|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-family-edition/nes-7480|website=IGN |access-date=December 15, 2013}} and a "Junior Edition", both of which were exclusive to the NES and were developed by Rare{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune Junior Edition for NES|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-junior-edition/nes-7481|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} Neither host Pat Sajak nor hostess Vanna White is featured in any of these games; however, White is featured in a later NES game from GameTek and IJE Inc., which was released in 1992{{cite web |title=Wheel of Fortune Featuring Vanna White for NES|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107480/nes-7479|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} and also appeared on the Sega Genesis,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune Featuring Vanna White for Genesis|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107480/gen-490125 |website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} Super NES,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune Featuring Vanna White for SNES|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107480/snes-10530|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} and the Game Gear.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune Featuring Vanna White for Game Gear |url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107480/gg-7482|website=IGN |access-date=December 15, 2013}} The magazine Mega gave the Super NES and Genesis versions a score of 22%, saying that there was "no challenge".Mega review, Future Publishing, issue 3, page 40, December 1992 A "Deluxe Edition" was also released for the Super NES in 1994.{{cite magazine |title=Wheel of Fortune Deluxe Edition|magazine=GamePro|issue=60|publisher=IDG|date=July 1994|page=100}} A sequel, Wheel of Fortune 2, was planned for Genesis but never released.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_054.pdf&page=224|title=Short ProShots: Shipping in January - Genesis|magazine=GamePro|issue=54|publisher=IDG|date=January 1994|page=218}}

In 1994, Sony Imagesoft released a game based on Wheel for the Sega CD.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Sega CD|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-810908/sega-cd-7803|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130214/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-810908/sega-cd-7803|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} Next Generation rated it two stars out of five, and stated that "Even as a party game, Wheel of Fortune doesn't cut it."{{cite magazine |title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|issue=5|publisher=Imagine Media|date=May 1995|page=98}} Two years later, GameTek made plans to create adaptations for the Sega Saturn{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Saturn|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107470/saturn-512|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524214442/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107470/saturn-512|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2013|website=IGN |access-date=December 15, 2013}} and the 3DO,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for 3DO|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107470/3do-518|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524104951/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107470/3do-518|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2013|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} but both were canceled during development.

In mid-1997, Take-Two Interactive acquired GameTek's assets, including the rights to develop Wheel of Fortune games for the Nintendo 64.{{cite magazine |title=Press Start|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=99|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=October 1997|page=30}} On December 2, 1997, Take-Two Interactive released its first Wheel game for the Nintendo 64; this was Take-Two's last collaboration with GameTek. The Sega CD and N64 versions of Wheel both feature full-motion video footage of White as host. Reviews generally stated that the N64 version did not hold up well to other N64 games but did a decent job of recreating the show,{{cite magazine |author=Bad Hare |title=Nintendo 64 ProReview: Wheel of Fortune|magazine=GamePro |issue=110 |publisher=IDG |date=November 1997 |page=130}} particularly the camera movements and the 3D studio. However, they derided the unnatural-sounding voices of the contestants and the animations of Vanna White walking in front of the puzzles (without touching the panels when they light up). The game received a score of 6.4 out of 10 from IGN{{cite web|last=Schneider |first=Peer |author-link=Peer Schneider|title=Wheel of Fortune for Nintendo 64 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/12/06/wheel-of-fortune-3|website=IGN|date=December 5, 1997|access-date=December 15, 2013}} and 5.125 out of 10 from Electronic Gaming Monthly.{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Wheel of Fortune |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=102|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=January 1998|page=155}}

Artech Studios and Hasbro Interactive produced a video game adaptation of Wheel for Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation console on December 15, 1998; this version again features White appearing as host via FMV sequences, Charlie O'Donnell as the announcer, and a 3-D engine that allows it to have a presentation similar to that of the actual show. This particular version is compatible with a memory card which allows it to avoid previously played puzzles until the entire library has been played through.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for PlayStation|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/12/16/wheel-of-fortune-4|website=IGN|date=16 December 1998|access-date=December 15, 2013}} On September 12, 2000, Hasbro released a second PlayStation version of Wheel, which features a behind-the-scenes interview with White and a qualifying exam for contestant hopefuls.{{cite web|last=Carle|first=Chris|title=Wheel of Fortune 2 for PlayStation|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/05/wheel-of-fortune-2nd-edition|website=IGN|date=December 4, 2000|access-date=December 15, 2013}} Following the purchase and rebranding of Hasbro Interactive as Atari Interactive, the company released a PlayStation 2 edition in November 2003.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune 2003 for PlayStation 2|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-879741/ps2-482692|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716001358/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-879741/ps2-482692|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2012|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} On March 19, 2009, Sony Online Entertainment released a version of the show for the PlayStation 3 through the PlayStation Network, using the Gamebryo engine; Chris Roper of IGN gave that version a 5.8 out of 10, saying that it felt "empty and lifeless" for not featuring any host or hostess or any voice work whatsoever, and also criticized the graphic quality, saying that the game was "not fully polished".{{cite web|last=Roper|first=Chris|title=Wheel of Fortune for PlayStation 3|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/20/wheel-of-fortune-review|website=IGN|date=20 March 2009|access-date=December 15, 2013}}

On November 2, 2010, THQ released video games based on Wheel of Fortune for Nintendo's Wii and Nintendo DS console.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Wii|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-2010/wii-77935|website=IGN |access-date=December 15, 2013}} This set of games is the first to feature Sajak as well as White as well as the last to feature announcer Charlie O'Donnell, which was released a day after his death. In 2012, THQ published reworked versions of the Wii version developed by Pipeworks Software appeared for the PlayStation 3,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for PlayStation 3 (2012)|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-wii-u/ps3-150282|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} the Wii U,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Wii U|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-wii-u/wii-u-142954|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} and Microsoft's Xbox 360, with Jim Thornton as the announcer.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Xbox 360|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-wii-u/xbox-360-150281|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}}

On November 7, 2017, Ubisoft released versions based on Wheel of Fortune for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, using the Unity engine.{{Cite web|url=http://blog.ubi.com/jeopardy-wheel-fortune-now-available/|title=Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune Now Available |last=Varanini|first=Giancarlo|date=November 7, 2017|website=Ubiblog|access-date=July 9, 2019}} The game comes in digital download as well as a bundle retail version with Jeopardy!. This version of Wheel of Fortune features Classic and Quick modes, as well as online multiplayer options like leaderboards and voice chat. It includes over 4,000 puzzles and a leveling system that enables players to unlock 250 new customization items that can be used on contestants or the studio set. This version was later released for Nintendo Switch a year later. However, all 3 console versions didn't feature Pat Sajak and Vanna White, and instead were replaced by a generic host and hostess. Jim Thornton still appears as the announcer during the show's opening titles.

In 1988, Mattel created a Wheel of Fortune game that allowed playing along with the TV show. At that time, the show would include encoded data at the beginning of each round, seen as flickering in the TV picture, that the Mattel machine could "download" to receive the puzzle and timing information for when letters were revealed in the puzzle. The game allowed players to spin and guess letters in the puzzle, buy vowels, and solve the puzzle. If a contestant on the TV show solved the puzzle before a person playing the Mattel machine solved it, the machine would reveal the puzzle and terminate the round.

In 1990, GameTek created a Wheel of Fortune game for the Game Boy.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Game Boy|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107454/gb-5484|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524214436/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107454/gb-5484|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2013|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} Then in 1997, Tiger Electronics released two adaptations of the show for its Game.com system, which allows players to use the console's touchscreen to select letters.{{cite web|url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8010&tab=review|last=Weiss|first=Brett|title=Review - Wheel of Fortune for G.com|publisher = allgame|access-date = May 26, 2010}} Additionally, Majesco Entertainment once planned a Wheel adaptation of its own for the Game Boy Color but that was cancelled.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Game Boy Color|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107454/gbc-10778|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130340/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107454/gbc-10778|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} On November 2, 2010, THQ published a Nintendo DS Wheel of Fortune video game developed by Griptonite Games, which allows players to customize and name their player character.

Additionally, a number of Wheel games have been released for mobile telephones. On May 2, 2005, InfoSpace's Atlas Mobile studio created a tournament-style game based on the show as part of its "For Prizes" lineup of games allowing players to win free gift certificates; this game is set to a time limit of five minutes and requires players to complete the regular rounds in five turns or less apiece.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Prizes|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/03/wheel-of-fortune-for-prizes|website=IGN|date=May 3, 2005|access-date=December 15, 2013}} Subsequent mobile phone incarnations of the show were released by Sony Pictures Mobile in 2006,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune 2007|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/20/wheel-of-fortune|website=IGN|date=July 20, 2006|access-date=December 15, 2013}} 2008,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune Wireless|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107472/cell-741160|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130345/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107472/cell-741160|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} 2010,{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune (2010)|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-2010-67838/cell-67834|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130336/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-2010-67838/cell-67834|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} and 2012.{{cite web|last1=Thomas|first1=Lucas M.|last2=Davis|first2=Justin|title=App Store Update: December 13|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/13/app-store-update-december-13-2|website=IGN|date=December 13, 2012|access-date=December 15, 2013}}

Wheel of Fortune has also been adapted for personal computers. From 1987 through 1990, GameTek created five Wheel of Fortune computer games for the Apple II, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS.{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/wheel-of-fortune|title=Wheel of Fortune|publisher=MobyGames|access-date=2010-08-12}} On November 15, 1998, Hasbro Interactive released a PC version of its own, where Vanna White is joined by the then-current Wheel announcer, Charlie O'Donnell (but not Pat Sajak).{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune PC|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/12/02/wheel-of-fortune-5|website=IGN|date=December 1, 1998|access-date=December 15, 2013}} In 2000, a Mac port was released by MacSoft{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune for Macintosh|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107447/mac-491754|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126024352/http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-107447/mac-491754|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 26, 2012|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} That same year, Hasbro released a second PC version of Wheel, which like the aforementioned PlayStation equivalent features a behind-the-scenes interview and a qualifying exam.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune 2 Preview|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/13/wheel-of-fortune-2|website=IGN|date=May 12, 2000|access-date=December 15, 2013}} Atari's 2003 follow-up also saw a Windows version of its own which was published by infogrames.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune 2003 PC|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-2003/pc-664493|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}}

In 2007, Sony Online Entertainment produced a Windows version of the show titled Wheel of Fortune Deluxe, sharing publishing duties with Encore, Inc.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune Deluxe|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-deluxe-edition/pc-956647|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}} Encore followed that up with a "Super Deluxe" version of the game in 2008.{{cite web|title=Wheel of Fortune Super Deluxe|url=http://www.ign.com/games/wheel-of-fortune-super-deluxe/pc-14323250|website=IGN|access-date=December 15, 2013}}

Sony Pictures Digital and Game Show Network's interactive division released a free Wheel of Fortune game on Facebook. It combined most aspects of the TV game show and allowed players to become contestants competing for virtual currency, called "Wheel Bucks," by playing a "Main Round" puzzle on their own and a "Bonus Round" puzzle allowing them to collaborate with their Facebook friends to increase their winnings.{{Cite web|title=GSN Digital and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. Partner to Create Wheel of Fortune Game for Facebook|url=http://www.wheeloffortune.com/newsandevents/announcements/wheel-of-fortune-game-for-facebook.php|publisher=Sony Pictures Digital|date=September 8, 2010|access-date=November 2, 2010}} The game was later moved to GSN's "Games by GSN Casino" with better graphics, faster load times, the ability to amass collections and win trophies, and a full-screen mode, but eventually the game was taken down. The "Games by GSN Casino" has also featured a "Wheel of Fortune Slots" game that abides by the basic rules of slots games but incorporates aspects of the actual show in various ways, such as featuring a bonus game where players can spin the Wheel to increase their earnings. Neither game features Sajak nor White, and both games support only one player.

Since 1996, International Game Technology has consistently released a number of Wheel of Fortune branded online slot games alongside their range of physical games that can be found in land-based casinos. These online slots include Wheel of Fortune, Wheel of Fortune Triple Spin Extreme, Wheel of Fortune on Tour, Wheel of Fortune on the Road, Wheel of Fortune On Air, Wheel of Fortune Ruby Riches, Wheel of Fortune Winning Words Game, Wheel of Fortune Hawaiian Getaway and Wheel of Fortune Exotic Far East.

The Nintendo 64 Wheel of Fortune title shipped 185,000 units.{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Johnston|url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_12/16_wheel/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980119055435/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_12/16_wheel/index.html|title=N64 Wheel Watchers|website=GameSpot|archivedate=January 19, 1998|date=December 16, 1997|accessdate=August 21, 2022}}

{{reflist|35em}}

• {{moby game|id=-group/wheel-of-fortune-licensees|name=Wheel of Fortune series}}
• [http://www.station.sony.com/casualProduct.vm?Id=041 Wheel of Fortune] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816104305/http://www.station.sony.com/casualProduct.vm?Id=041 |date=2007-08-16 }} on Station.com
• [http://www.station.sony.com/casualProduct.vm?Id=006 Wheel of Fortune 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817201736/http://www.station.sony.com/casualProduct.vm?Id=006 |date=2007-08-17 }} on Station.com

{{Wheel of Fortune}}

{{Rare}}

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