Codenames: Board Game Buying Guide and Spin-Offs

Codenames: A Comprehensive Guide to the Popular Word Association Game

Codenames has rapidly gained popularity as a top party board game due to its simple rules and quick playtime. Unlike many games that struggle with larger player counts, Codenames excels with four or more players. Beyond the base game, several spin-offs exist, including a cooperative version for two players. This guide explores the various Codenames versions. It's worth noting that all versions share a similar core gameplay, differing primarily in minor adjustments and thematic reskins.

The Core Experience: Codenames

Codenames

• MSRP: $24.99 USD
• Age: 10+
• Players: 2-8
• Playtime: 15 mins

Codenames involves two teams, each selecting a spymaster. 25 codenames are arranged in a 5x5 grid. Spymasters view a key card revealing their team's codenames and the assassin card. They provide one-word clues to guide their team in identifying their codenames. The game ends when one team identifies all their codenames or accidentally selects the assassin. The strategic element lies in balancing clue ambiguity and the number of codenames to guess. While playable with 2-8 players, it shines with even-numbered groups of four or more.

Codenames Variations: Spin-offs and Expansions

Codenames: Duet

• MSRP: $24.95 USD
• Age: 11+
• Players: 2
• Playtime: 15 mins

Codenames: Duet offers a cooperative experience for two players. Both players act as spymasters, using different sides of a shared key card to guide each other. The objective is to uncover 15 codenames without encountering the three assassin cards. It includes 200 new cards compatible with the base game and stands alone as a complete game.

Codenames: Pictures

• MSRP: $24.95 USD
• Age: 10+
• Players: 2-8
• Playtime: 15 mins

Codenames: Pictures replaces words with images, broadening descriptive possibilities and potentially lowering the age requirement. It utilizes a 5x4 grid and is otherwise identical to the base game. Cards from this and the base game are interchangeable.

Codenames: Disney Family Edition

• MSRP: $24.99 USD
• Age: 8+
• Players: 2-8
• Playtime: Varies

This themed edition features Disney words and images, playable with words, pictures, or a combination. It includes a simplified 4x4 grid mode without an assassin card for younger players.

Codenames: Marvel Edition

• MSRP: $24.99 USD
• Age: 9+
• Players: 2-8
• Playtime: 15 mins

This Marvel-themed version uses Marvel words and images and features S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA as opposing teams. It's playable like the base game or Codenames: Pictures.

Codenames: Harry Potter

• MSRP: $24.99 USD
• Age: 11+
• Players: 2
• Playtime: 15 mins

This cooperative two-player game follows the Duet gameplay with Harry Potter-themed words and images.

Larger-Format Versions: XXL Editions

All three core game types (original, Duet, and Pictures) have XXL versions with larger cards for improved readability.

Online Play

A free online version of Codenames is available through Czech Games Edition, allowing for online play with friends.

Discontinued Versions

Several past versions, including Codenames: Deep Undercover (adult-themed) and Codenames: The Simpsons Family Edition, are no longer in print but may be found secondhand.

Conclusion

Codenames is a highly accessible and engaging party game, best suited for larger groups but with options for smaller groups. The variety of themed and gameplay variations ensures broad appeal.