The best Codenames games and variants⎇ 2024

Looking for a new Codenames variant? We have picked out the best Codenames versions and listed them clearly.

What is Codenames

In Codenames two teams compete against each other. The goal is to contact all of your agents first. One player from the team gives one-word clues that can refer to multiple words on cards laid out on the board. Their teammates try to guess words in the correct color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. Additionally, there is a so-called assassin - whoever catches this one has lost immediately.

Many English variants⎇

We list here all Codenames variants available for purchase in Germany. Sometimes these are also in English Codenames: Harry Potter - but then we point that out. Most of them are playable without any knowledge of the English language. Some Codenames versions Codenames: Pictures are language independent anyway.

List with the best Codenames versions 2024

This list was last updated on August 20, 2024. We compared 18 board games for this list and selected the top 7. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Codenames

    All details for the board game Codenames and similar games

    Codenames is a captivating and popular party game that involves clever wordplay and deduction. Two teams compete, each led by a spymaster who knows the secret identities of 25 agents, represented by cards bearing single-word codenames like "disease," "Germany," or even "carrot." The objective is for each team to be the first to correctly identify all their agents based on clues given by their spymaster, while avoiding the dangerous assassin.

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 15.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Codenames
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Codenames: Duet

    All details for the board game Codenames: Duet and similar games

    Embark on a collaborative journey of espionage in Codenames Duet, where the familiar elements of Codenames persist – providing one-word clues to unveil your agents among those on the table. This time, however, you and your teammate work together to uncover all your agents, adding a thrilling cooperative dimension to the challenge. The mystery of not knowing your agents from the outset adds an intriguing layer to the mission, raising questions that even Congressional investigators might ponder later!

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    More details for Codenames: Duet
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 11+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Codenames: Duet

    • YouTube Review for the game "Codenames: Duet" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  3. Codenames: Pictures

    All details for the board game Codenames: Pictures and similar games

    Uncover the mystery behind peculiar symbols on the map in Codenames: Pictures, where these enigmatic codes signify locations where spies connect with secret agents. In this clandestine world, two rival spymasters possess knowledge of the agents in each location, communicating coded messages to guide their field operatives to discreet meetings. Operatives must navigate these visual puzzles with utmost precision, as a decoding misstep might lead to an unfortunate encounter with an enemy agent – or worse, an encounter with the deadly assassin! The race is on for both teams to contact all their agents, but only one can emerge victorious.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    More details for Codenames: Pictures
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Codenames: Pictures

    • YouTube Review for the game "Codenames: Pictures" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  4. Codenames: Disney – Family Edition

    All details for the board game Codenames: Disney – Family Edition and similar games

    Codenames: Disney – Family Edition brings the magic of Disney to the popular social word game Codenames, offering a delightful twist that Disney and Pixar fans of all ages will adore. This edition blends the strategic and cooperative elements of the original game with the enchanting worlds and characters of Disney and Pixar, making it an ideal choice for family game nights and gatherings of Disney enthusiasts.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Codenames: Disney – Family Edition
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. Codenames: Deep Undercover

    All details for the board game Codenames: Deep Undercover and similar games

    Codenames: Deep Undercover is a standalone or combinable expansion to the hit game Codenames, introducing an adult twist to the classic word association gameplay. In this version, players still split into two teams, with each team's spymaster knowing the identities of their secret agents, represented by codenames on the table. The goal remains to contact all your agents first through clever one-word clues that can link multiple codenames, while avoiding the deadly assassin and the opposing team's agents. This game adds an edgier set of words and phrases, making it suited for a more mature audience.

    More details for Codenames: Deep Undercover
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 18+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Codenames: Deep Undercover

    • YouTube Review for the game "Codenames: Deep Undercover" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  6. Codenames: Marvel

    All details for the board game Codenames: Marvel and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Codenames: Marvel

    • YouTube Review for the game "Codenames: Marvel" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  7. Codenames: Harry Potter

    All details for the board game Codenames: Harry Potter and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 11+ years old
    • Easy to learn

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