Codenames: Board Game Buying Guide and Spin-Offs

Codenames: A Comprehensive Guide to the Word-Association Game Family

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 thrives with four or more players. Beyond the original, several spin-offs exist, including the cooperative two-player version, Codenames: Duet. This guide navigates the various Codenames editions. It's worth noting that there's no truly "wrong" starting point; the core gameplay remains consistent across versions, with minor adjustments for age range, player count, and thematic reskins.

The Core Game: Codenames

Codenames (MSRP: $24.99 USD, Age: 10+, Players: 2-8, Playtime: 15 mins)

Two teams compete, each selecting a spymaster. 25 codenames are arranged on a grid. Spymasters view a key card revealing their team's spies and the assassin. They provide one-word clues to guide their team to guess their spies without selecting the assassin or the opposing team's spies. The first team to identify all their spies wins. The strategic element lies in balancing clue breadth and the number of guesses requested.

Optimal player count is four or more.

Codenames Spin-offs

Codenames: Duet (MSRP: $24.95 USD, Age: 11+, Players: 2, Playtime: 15 mins)

A cooperative two-player version. Both players act as spymasters, using a dual-sided key card to guide each other towards their 15 spies, avoiding three assassin cards. Includes 200 new cards compatible with the base game.

Codenames: Pictures (MSRP: $24.95 USD, Age: 10+, Players: 2-8, Playtime: 15 mins)

Uses images instead of words, broadening descriptive possibilities and potentially lowering the age requirement. Compatible with word cards from the base game.

Codenames: Disney Family Edition (MSRP: $24.99 USD, Age: 8+, Players: 2-8, Playtime: Varies)

A Disney-themed version with double-sided cards (words and images), offering easier four-by-four grid mode without an assassin card.

Codenames: Marvel Edition (MSRP: $24.99 USD, Age: 9+, Players: 2-8, Playtime: 15 mins)

Marvel-themed with words and images. Teams are S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA. Plays like the base game or Codenames: Pictures.

Codenames: Harry Potter (MSRP: $24.99 USD, Age: 11+, Players: 2, Playtime: 15 mins)

A cooperative two-player game similar to Duet, using Harry Potter-themed words and images.

XXL Versions

Codenames: XXL, Codenames: Duet XXL, and Codenames: Pictures XXL (MSRP: $39.95 USD each) These are larger-card versions of the base game, Duet, and Pictures respectively, offering better visibility.

Online Play

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

Discontinued Versions

Note that some versions, such as Codenames: Deep Undercover (adult-themed) and Codenames: The Simpsons Family Edition, are no longer in print but may be available secondhand.

Conclusion

Codenames is a highly-regarded party game, simple to learn and quick to play. While best with four or more, Duet and the Harry Potter version cater to two players. Thematic versions and XXL versions offer added variety and accessibility.