1991 · Port · The Learning Company · Arcade · Educational

Spellbound!

Port

The DOS port of the game plays largely the same but it has re-drawn graphics and UI. Notably it lacks sound effects during gameplay.

Released: 1991
Platforms: MS-DOS Windows macOS
Genres: Arcade Educational Simulation
Developers: The Learning Company
Publishers: —
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Educational Kids
Country: United States
Languages: English

About

Spellbound! is an educational computer game made and distributed by The Learning Company aimed at teaching spelling, vocabulary, and language development to children ages 7 to 12 years. The objective of the game is to play spelling-related games to qualify and compete for successively higher bracket spelling bees, concluding with the player competing in the national spelling bee. The original game, released in 1991, was compatible with computers running DOS 3.3 or higher. A 1995 CD release added spoken dialogue and was compatible with Windows 95 and Mac.

Keywords

helicopter
space ship
submarine
spelling

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Before starting the game, the player can choose which topics and word lists to use. Additionally, the player can create customized lists. Then the player can choose one of three difficulty levels, which affect how many spelling problems need to be solved throughout the game. To qualify for a spelling bee, the player must first earn a set number of points by playing spelling-related activities. These activities include:

Criss Cross (also called "Work it out!") – a crossword-type puzzle

Story

Morty Maxwell along with his robots are entering Shady Glen school's Spelling Bee in the hopes of outspelling everyone. The Super Solvers aim to sharpen their skills and beat Morty at his own game in Washington, D.C., with the aid of a Spellbinder computer.

Reception

Spellbound! was reviewed in the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book where it was praised for its "state of the arts" graphics and sound support. The reviewers noted that it takes a lot to make learning how to spell fun, "but the Learning Company has done it!" Moderately well received, the game received two and a half stars out of five from Allgame.