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Czech Games Edition (CGE)

Codenames

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Codenames is a fast, light team word game from Czech Games Edition in which rival spymasters give one-word clues to help their teammates identify their secret agents hidden among 25 word cards, all while avoiding the deadly assassin. It plays with 2–8+ players, takes around 15 minutes, and suits ages 14+.

Players
2–8 players
Play time
Up to 1 hr
Age
Teens
Complexity
Easy

About the Game

Two rival spymasters face a grid of 25 word cards, each secretly hiding red agents, blue agents, innocent bystanders and one deadly assassin. The spymaster offers a single-word clue plus a number, and their team debates which words fit. Contact all of your agents first to win, but stumble onto the assassin and the game ends instantly, so every clue is a balancing act between ambition and caution.

Codenames plays with 2–8+ players in around 15 minutes, is light and easy to teach, and is recommended for ages 14+. Notable mechanics include team-based play, word association, deduction, communication limits and push-your-luck clue giving.

Designed by Vlaada Chvátil and published by Czech Games Edition in 2015, Codenames won the 2016 Spiel des Jahres and became a modern classic. Its success spawned stand-alone follow-ups such as Codenames: Pictures, which swaps words for images, and Codenames Duet, a cooperative take built for two players.

History

Codenames was designed by Vlaada Chvátil and published by Czech Games Edition in 2015. It won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award in 2016 and quickly became a modern party-game staple, inspiring stand-alone follow-ups such as Codenames: Pictures and the cooperative two-player Codenames Duet.

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Shipping details

Codenames

$30.00

Watch: How to play

Rules of Codenames

  • Set up: split into red and blue teams, each choosing a spymaster; lay out 25 word cards in a 5 by 5 grid.
  • Key card: the two spymasters secretly view a key showing which words are red agents, blue agents, innocent bystanders and the single assassin.
  • Give a clue: on your team's turn, the spymaster says one clue word and one number, pointing teammates toward that many grid words.
  • Guess: teammates discuss openly, then touch cards one at a time; the spymaster gives no extra signals.
  • Turn flow: cover correct guesses with your agent colour and keep guessing, up to the clue number plus one, or stop after at least one guess.
  • Wrong cards: a bystander or opposing agent ends the turn; uncovering the assassin loses the game immediately.
  • Winning: the first team to contact all of its own agents wins, unless the assassin has already ended the game.

Strategy

  • Start safe: early clues are usually better when they link two obvious agents rather than chasing a clever multi-word connection.
  • Scan the dangers: before speaking, check that your clue cannot reasonably pull in the assassin, opposing agents or tempting bystanders.
  • Respect the limits: teammates should debate meanings, but avoid asking the spymaster for tone, emphasis or follow-up hints.
  • Order guesses: touch the clearest match first; if the table is split, pause and reassess before risking a second card.
  • Know when to stop: after finding the clue's obvious targets, stopping can be stronger than spending the extra guess on a hunch.
  • Learn the table: later clues can reuse words left behind by earlier clues, misses and opponent guesses, so track what each clue implied.

Reviews

4.8 / 5
27978 ratings on Amazon

Great game

TK

Love this game, a go-to game for me and my friends.

Reviewed in Australia on 3 January 2026

Would buy again

Horseholder

Great gift idea

Reviewed in Australia on 19 July 2026

Play this game if you want to fight with you closest companions

Amazon Customer

Five star. What a game. The entertainment of the game alone is great, but grab the popcorn because rest assured you and your companions will start yelling at each other, get abusive and defensive, deny cheating and it will be the best night of your life. We...
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Five star. What a game. The entertainment of the game alone is great, but grab the popcorn because rest assured you and your companions will start yelling at each other, get abusive and defensive, deny cheating and it will be the best night of your life. We all cuddled at the end of the night and slept solidly, but I've been dirty with the girl who decided the code word was "food" and then the black word was "ham". She assured me "eyes" would be the correct pick, because we eat with our eyes. I will never trust her properly again.

Reviewed in Australia on 3 August 2024

More reviews (10)

Great Game and was fun

A. Richardson

I'm always looking for games to play after dinner with friends. Anything to avoid monopoly coming out. It can be hard after dinner (and sometimes a wine with dinner) to learn some new games, but this one was easy and a lot of fun. Recommended.

Reviewed in Australia on 15 October 2022

New favourite!

Danielle

Great game to be played with 2+ people. Easy to set up and learn. There are a few rules that were ambiguous but overall a really fun and engaging game! Arrived fast.

Reviewed in Australia on 6 August 2021

Fun and interesting

Kim Clifford

Very interesting game

Reviewed in Australia on 28 October 2025

Very fun

Keenan brown

Very fun game with friends and family, very competitive only took a bit for my parents to understand and it’s very competitive, enjoyed it a lot I recommend buying it

Reviewed in Australia on 4 March 2025

Great board game, get it!

Amazon Customer

My favourite board game.

Reviewed in Australia on 21 August 2025

Go through the rules first to enjoy this amazing game!

Manish Panwar

Go through the rules first to enjoy this amazing game!

Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 4 July 2024

Great game

heshy l.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best party games ever made Codenames is an easy game to learn but has a surprising amount of strategy. The rules only take a few minutes to explain, so even people who have never played before can jump right in. Every game feels different b...
Read full review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best party games ever made Codenames is an easy game to learn but has a surprising amount of strategy. The rules only take a few minutes to explain, so even people who have never played before can jump right in. Every game feels different because of the huge variety of word combinations. It’s great for family game nights, parties, or playing with friends. The game encourages teamwork, creative thinking, and lots of laughs as everyone tries to figure out the clues without choosing the wrong word. The cards and components are well made, and the game is compact enough to take almost anywhere. If you’re looking for a fun game that works with both casual and experienced players, Codenames is an excellent choice and one that you’ll want to play again and again. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviewed in the United States on 7 August 2026

بديل الهواتف بالبيت

Oum Anis

ممتعة، مفيدة ، عائلية ، حبيت

Reviewed in Saudi Arabia on 6 February 2026

Quality is the best

Etienne Van Wyk

Excellent quality

Reviewed in South Africa on 19 August 2026

Good product for family or party time

Amazon Customer

The quality of the product is good and as represented. Must have for kids and family time. Quick and fun game.

Reviewed in India on 21 November 2025