How to Choose the Right Codenames Game for You

Your Guide to buying the best Codenames

Overview

Codenames is a fun and engaging party game designed to help players of all ages build communication and teamwork skills. This buying guide will provide all the information you need to know before purchasing a copy of the game. We will discuss the game's objectives, age requirements, components, and strategy tips to help you increase your chances of winning. We will also cover the best sources for buying Codenames and how to get the best deals. Whether you are a fan of the original game or a newcomer to the world of Codenames, this guide will ensure that you get the best copy of the game for your needs.

Key features

  1. Number of Players: How many people will be playing Codenames? The game supports two to eight players.
  2. Time Required: How much time do you anticipate spending playing Codenames? The game usually takes 15-30 minutes to play.
  3. Game Components: What components come with the game? Codenames includes 200 double sided cards, a game board, 40 key cards, and a timer.
  4. Age Recommendation: What age is the game recommended for? Codenames is suitable for ages 14+.
  5. Cost: How much does the game cost? Codenames usually runs between $20-25.
  6. Additional Expansions: Are there any additional expansions or editions available? Yes, there are several expansions and special editions available.

See the most popular Codenames on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Variety of Modes: Codenames offers several game modes to choose from, including the classic game, a two-player version, and a cooperative version.
  • Highly Replayable: Codenames is highly replayable and can accommodate up to eight players.
  • Expansions Available: Expansion packs are available with additional cards, providing even more ways to play.
  • Simple Rules: The rules of the game are simple and easy to understand, making it suitable for all ages.
  • Strategic Gameplay: Codenames requires players to be strategic in their decision-making and communication, leading to exciting and unpredictable outcomes.
  • Fast-paced Fun: Games of Codenames are quick and exciting, usually taking no more than 30 minutes to complete.

Cons

  • Price: Codenames can be somewhat expensive depending on the version.
  • Learning Curve: While the game is fairly easy, it may take a few rounds for new players to understand the concept.
  • Team Size: The game works best with a large group, so may not be suitable for smaller groups.
  • Replayability: While Codenames is great for multiple plays, the game may become stale after a while for some players.

Best alternatives

  1. Scattergories - Players answer questions in 12 categories, competing to score points for creativity and speed.
  2. Taboo - Players try to guess words without using five additional words listed on the card.
  3. Apples to Apples - Players attempt to match up noun cards with adjective cards to win.
  4. Settlers of Catan - Players build and trade resources while attempting to gain the most points.
  5. Cranium - Players compete in four different game categories, testing their knowledge of physical activities, creativity, and more.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

Common questions

  1. What ages is Codenames suitable for? Codenames is suitable for ages 14 and up.
  2. How many players can play Codenames? Codenames can be played with 2-8 players.
  3. How long does a game of Codenames take? Most games of Codenames take approximately 15 minutes.
  4. What is the game's objective? The objective of Codenames is to be the first team to guess all of their words correctly.
  5. Does Codenames require any special equipment? Codenames requires a special Codenames game board and a set of double-sided cards with word clues.
  6. Are there any expansions available for Codenames? Yes, there are several expansions available for Codenames, including Codenames: Pictures, Codenames: Duet, and Codenames: Deep Undercover.
  7. What materials is the game board made from? The Codenames game board is made from cardboard.

Trivia

An interesting fact about Codenames is that it was designed by two men from the Czech Republic. Vlaada Chvátil and Scot Eaton created the game in 2015 and went on to win the Spiel des Jahres award that same year. The game has proved to be incredibly popular with board gamers and continues to be a staple of gaming tables around the world. According to Vlaada Chvátil, he and his partner had no idea how popular the game would be and were surprised when it won the Spiel des Jahres award. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.