Codenames review

Codenames splits the table into two teams, each led by a spymaster who knows which of 25 word cards belong to their side. The spymaster gives a one-word clue and a number, and teammates guess one card at a time; picking the assassin card ends the game. Czech Games Edition lists the game for 4 to 8+ players, age 10+, with a 15 minute length, and the new edition released in Q3 2025 includes 200 cards with 400 codenames, a revised word list and a streamlined rulebook. The CGE US store sells it for $24.99. That price and the large player count make it the best value for big families or holiday gatherings. The limits are clear: it needs 4 players to start, and the clues reward vocabulary, so children under 10 may struggle as spymaster. CGE also sells Codenames: Pictures and the two-player Codenames: Duet for other group sizes.

Who it is for

bigger families and gatherings with kids aged 10 and up

Price

$24.99 on the CGE US store.

Regular price $24.99 USD
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• 4 to 8+ players, age 10+, about 15 minutes per game
• 200 cards with 400 codenames
• Two spymasters give one-word clues plus a number
• 40 key cards set which words belong to each team, bystanders and the assassin
• New edition with a revised word list, a new insert and a streamlined rulebook

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Seats 8 or more players, the most of any game here
• Strength: $24.99 for 400 codenames
• Strength: 15 minute games fit a short evening
• Weakness: Needs at least 4 players
• Weakness: Age 10+ and word clues favor kids with a wide vocabulary
• Weakness: Team play splits the family into two sides

Key facts

• Players: 4 to 8+
• Age: 10+
• Play time: 15 minutes
• Designer: Vlaada Chvátil
• Edition: New edition, released Q3 2025

Where it ranks

Codenames is No. 2 in our Best Family Board Games verdict.