The best Codenames games and variants⎇ 2021

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 2021

This list was last updated on July 13, 2021. We compared 7 board games for this list and selected the top 6. There's also a print version for this list.

  1. Codenames

    All details for the board game Codenames and similar games

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 15.

    Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Codenames
    • Players2 - 8 Players
    • Playtime15 Minutes
    • Age14+ years old
    • ComplexityComplexity: very easy
    👍 Good price!15€ atAmazon.de

  2. Codenames: Duet

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

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    More details for Codenames: Duet
    • Players2 - 99 Players
    • Playtime15 - 30 Minutes
    • Age11+ years old
    • ComplexityComplexity: very easy
    👍 Good price!15€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Codenames: Duet

    • YouTube Review vom Spiel "Codenames: Duet" von "BoardGameGeek"
      YouTube Review vom Spiel "Codenames: Duet" von "BoardGameGeek"Sprache

  3. Codenames: Pictures

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

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    More details for Codenames: Pictures
    • Players2 - 8 Players
    • Playtime15 Minutes
    • Age10+ years old
    • ComplexityComplexity: very easy
    🔥 Great price!14€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Codenames: Pictures

    • YouTube Review vom Spiel "Codenames: Pictures" von "BoardGameGeek"
      YouTube Review vom Spiel "Codenames: Pictures" von "BoardGameGeek"Sprache

  4. Codenames: Deep Undercover

    All details for the board game Codenames: Deep Undercover and similar games
    More details for Codenames: Deep Undercover
    • Players4 - 8 Players
    • Playtime15 Minutes
    • Age18+ years old
    • ComplexityComplexity: very easy
    👍 Good price!15€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Codenames: Deep Undercover

    • YouTube Review vom Spiel "Codenames: Deep Undercover" von "BoardGameGeek"
      YouTube Review vom Spiel "Codenames: Deep Undercover" von "BoardGameGeek"Sprache

  5. Codenames: Marvel

    All details for the board game Codenames: Marvel and similar games
    More details for Codenames: Marvel
    • Players2 - 8 Players
    • Playtime15 Minutes
    • Age8+ years old
    • ComplexityComplexity: very easy
    25€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Codenames: Marvel

    • YouTube Review vom Spiel "Codenames: Marvel" von "BoardGameGeek"
      YouTube Review vom Spiel "Codenames: Marvel" von "BoardGameGeek"Sprache

  6. Codenames: Harry Potter

    All details for the board game Codenames: Harry Potter and similar games
    More details for Codenames: Harry Potter
    • Players2 Players
    • Playtime15 Minutes
    • ComplexityComplexity: easy
    Amazon.de

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