Cartridges
Cartridges (also known as expansion modules) are freely exchangeable ROM libraries that provide additional content without providing additional functionality. These cartridges are plugged into a slot near the battery compartment in order to introduce new software libraries. Word and game lists are of differing lengths depending upon the cartridge and the word lists in models marketed for different languages reflect the language marketed for. Separate word lists also exist for regional variants such as the American and British English versions. The word list used in each of the regional models reflects the recommendations of educators in each country. The English, French, German and Italian versions were all created by a team of non-specialists, in TI's plant near Antibes, France, under the watchful eye of Larry Brantingham who had patented the underlying technology.
| Console | Module Title | Date | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speak & Spell (1978) | Basic Unit | 1978 | Red |
| Vowel Power | 1978 | Red | |
| Super Stumpers 4-6 | 1979 | Red | |
| Super Stumpers 7-8 | 1979 | Red | |
| Basic Builders | 1979 | Red | |
| Mighty Verbs | 1979 | Red | |
| Speak & Spell (1978, UK) | Vowel Power | 1978 | Red |
| Mighty Verbs | 1979 | Red | |
| Speak & Spell (1980) | Homonym Heroes | 1980 | Red |
| Noun Endings | 1980 | Red | |
| Magnificent Modifiers | 1980 | Red | |
| Vowel Ventures | 1980 | Red | |
| E.T. Fantasy Module | 1982 | Red | |
| La Dictée Magique | Les Mots De Base Module No 1 | Red | |
| Les Mots Difficiles Module No 2 | Red | ||
| Les Animaux Familiers | Red | ||
| Les Magasins De La Rue Module No 4 | Red | ||
| Les Extra-Terrestres Module No 5 | Red | ||
| Grillo Parlante | SuperModulo | Red | |
| Super Speak & Spell | Words, Words, Words | Yellow | |
| Words Around Us | Gray | ||
| Expansion 3 | Blue | ||
| El Loro Parlanchín | Módulo de Extensión No 1 | 1990 | Blue |
| La Super Dictée Magique | Module d'Extension Anglais 1 | 1991 | Blue |
| Module d'Extension No 2 | 1991 | Blue |
Examples of educational games that could be played using Speak & Spell cartridges include:
- Say It - The classic word-spelling game wherein the player must spell ten words after hearing them "spoken" by the unit. The E.T. Fantasy Module tie-in (due to the toy's notable appearance in the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) asked players to spell such words as "geranium", "universe", and "creature".
- Mystery Word - An electronic version of hangman
- Secret Code - A code-generating program in which the player enters a word on the Speak & Spell and the console returns the word in code.
- Letter - Another algorithm that allows the player to change a word he has entered by shifting its letters several spaces down the alphabet.
- Drop It - A Super Speak & Spell game in which the player will see how new words are made by adding prefixes and suffixes.
- Memory - A Super Speak & Spell game in which letter recognition and visual memory skills are tested.
- Mystery - A Super Speak & Spell game in which letter patterns in words and visual memory are developed.
- Mix Up - A Super Speak & Spell game in which word patterns and the relationships between letter sounds and spelling are tested.
- Same As - A Super Speak & Spell game in which homophones are tested.
- A.C.E. - A Super Speak & Spell game in which abbreviations, contractions, and word endings are tested.
- Race - A Super Speak & Spell game in which fast recall, accurate spelling, and touch-typing skills are tested with time limits.
The "Secret Code" mini-game would encrypt or decrypt "words" (really, any string of up to 8 letters) by matching up two sets of the alphabet, slightly askew. In the game P and Q match up and run in opposite directions:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZF E D C B A Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G
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