At a glance
Players: 4 or more · Play time: 15 min · Ages: 10+ · Party game · Publisher: Czech Games Edition · Designer: Vlaada Chvátil
Codenames (2025 Edition) (CGE-00125)
Codenames is a party game from Czech Games Edition for 4 or more players, playing in 15 minutes, recommended for ages 10+.
How it plays
Codenames is a team word game for 4 or more players. Two rival spymasters know which of the 25 words on the table are their team's secret agents. Their teammates only see the codenames.
Each turn, the spymaster gives a one-word clue plus a number for how many words it connects to. Teammates guess one card at a time; a right guess lets them keep going, and a wrong one ends the turn. The first team to find all their agents wins, but touch the assassin and you lose on the spot.
The 2025 edition has a revised word list, improved artwork, a new organizing insert and a streamlined rulebook that's easier to teach.
What's in the box
- 200 cards with 400 codenames
- 16 agent tiles in two colors
- 1 double agent tile
- 7 innocent bystander tiles
- 1 assassin tile
- 40 key cards
- 1 card stand
- 1 rulebook
Saga Table Talk
Great for: Groups of 4 or more, parties and family gatherings, especially with word lovers.
What a game night feels like: Long thoughtful silences from the spymasters, then a flurry of debate as their team argues over what "OCEAN: 3" could mean.
If you like this, try: Codenames: Pictures, Just One (Refresh)
Teaching tip: Have the first spymaster aim for a clue that links just two words. It shows new players how clues work without the pressure.
FAQ
How many players can play Codenames?
Codenames plays with 4 or more players.
How long does Codenames take?
About 15 minutes.
What age is Codenames for?
Czech Games Edition recommends it for ages 10+.
How do you win Codenames?
Be the first team to find all your agents. Revealing the assassin loses the game.
What's new in the 2025 edition?
A revised word list, improved artwork, a new insert and a streamlined rulebook.
How does it compare to Codenames: Pictures?
Codenames: Pictures plays the same way but uses picture cards instead of words.
