The best Codenames games and variants⎇ 2023

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 2023

This list was last updated on July 10, 2023. We compared 14 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

    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
    👍 Good price!18€ 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
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 11+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!18€ atAmazon.de

    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

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    More details for Codenames: Pictures
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!19€ atAmazon.de

    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

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Codenames: Disney – Family Edition
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    12€ atAmazon.de

  5. Codenames: Deep Undercover

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

    More details for Codenames: Deep Undercover
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 18+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!18€ atAmazon.de

    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
    More details for Codenames: Marvel
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    26€ atAmazon.de

    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
    More details for Codenames: Harry Potter
    • 2 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 11+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    26€ atAmazon.de

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