Codenames Guide: Best Board Game Options & Expansions

Codenames: A Comprehensive Guide to the Word-Association Game

Codenames has rapidly gained popularity as a top party board game due to its simple rules and fast playtime. Unlike many games that struggle with larger player counts, Codenames excels with four or more players. Beyond the core game, several spin-offs exist, including the cooperative two-player version, Codenames: Duet. This guide navigates the various Codenames iterations. 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 theme.

The Core Game: Codenames

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

Codenames involves two teams, each with a spymaster who provides one-word clues to guide their teammates in identifying their assigned words (spies) on a 5x5 grid. The challenge lies in crafting clues that only point to one's own spies, avoiding the assassin card which results in an immediate loss. The spymaster dictates the number of words their team attempts to guess, balancing risk and reward. While the box suggests 2-8 players, optimal gameplay occurs with even-numbered groups of four or more.

Codenames Spin-offs: Expanding the Gameplay

Codenames: Duet

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

A cooperative two-player experience, Codenames: Duet retains the core mechanics but shifts the focus to collaboration. Both players act as spymasters, using different sides of a shared key card to guide each other. The objective is to uncover 15 spies without encountering any of the three assassin cards. This version includes 200 new cards compatible with the base game and stands alone without requiring the original.

Codenames: Pictures

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

This version replaces words with images, offering broader descriptive possibilities and potentially lowering the age requirement. It uses a 5x4 grid but otherwise maintains the original gameplay. Picture and word cards can be mixed for varied gameplay.

Codenames: Disney Family Edition

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

A themed version featuring Disney words and images, playable with words, pictures, or a combination. It offers 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 edition uses images and words from the Marvel universe, with teams represented by S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA. Gameplay mirrors 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 Codenames: Duet, using Harry Potter-themed images and words.

Larger Card Versions: Codenames XXL

XXL versions exist for the base game, Duet, and Pictures, offering larger cards for improved readability.

Online Play: Codenames Online

A free online version is available, allowing for online play with friends.

Discontinued Versions: Noteworthy Mentions

Several versions are no longer in print, including Codenames: Deep Undercover (an adult-themed version) and Codenames: The Simpsons Family Edition.

Conclusion: A Versatile and Engaging Game

Codenames offers a fantastic party game experience, easily adaptable to various group sizes and preferences through its diverse range of spin-offs. Its simple rules, quick playtime, and engaging word association mechanics make it a consistently enjoyable choice.