CODENAMES FRANCHISE

The Codenames games franchise is published by Czech Games Edition. The artwork for the games is designed by Vladimír Chvátil, who has previously designed Galaxy Trucker and Through the Ages. The original game was launched in 2015 and won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres Award the following year. Since its release there have been several sequels, each of which add something a little different to the main gameplay element. Codenames: Pictures changes the use of words on the grid to abstract images. Codenames: Deep Undercover is an adult version of the original game, which uses rude and explicit words. Czech Games Edition's latest installment is known as Duet, which is a two-player co-operative version of the original game.

CODENAMES HISTORY

The Codenames games series was launched in 2015 by Czech Games Edition and Vladimír Chvátil. One year after its release, the original game won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award for the best board game of the year. Two more versions of the game were released in 2016: Pictures and Deep Undercover. The former swaps out the words for unique and strange images, whilst the latter uses rude and explicit words on the grid. These were followed by the two-player co-operative version of Codenames, known as Duet, which was released in 2017. Czech Games Edition are currently working on Marvel and Disney adapations of the original base game, although currently they are only due to be released in the USA. Fingers crossed for a UK release in 2018.

HOW TO PLAY

The basic gameplay element of the Codenames games remains the same throughout all of the installments. The aim of the game is to uncover the secret locations of your team's agents before your rivals do. One member of each team is chosen to be the Spymaster, and they will see the locations of all the secret agents. It's their job to give one-word clues in order to help their team find their agents. The clues will have a link to one or more of the cards on the board (words in the original game / images in the Pictures version). The Spymasters need to choose their clues wisely, as they could accidentally lead their team into choosing a card owned by the other team. Once the clue has been given, the Spymaster is not aloud to say anything else or make eye contact with his team.

If the blue team accidentally chooses to uncover card which belongs to the red team, then the red team may place an agent card on top of the word or image. Should the card belong to neither team and is a bystander, then a bystander card is place. If you're really unfortunate and find the assassin's word/image, then it's game over and the other team are the winners. The first team to place all of their agent cards onto the grid will win the game!

How to Play: Codenames

By Jim Cohen | 25/01/2022

In Codenames you are teams of spies from opposing organisations, looking for your agents in the field. Use our helpful guide to learn how to win…

Codenames Pictures Review

By Northern Dice | 18/01/2022

Codenames: Pictures is a team based game, much like the original, but instead requires a different type of knowledge. Read our review today.

Codenames Duet Board Game Review

By The Game Shelf | 05/01/2022

Codenames Duet plays much like the original, but instead of two groups competing, you have two players who must work as a team to find all the agents.

Codenames Review

By Mark Capell-Helm | 27/07/2022

Agents, your mission briefing begins here. From now on, everything you thought you knew about the world was a lie. There are spies among us and they are not hiding […]

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CODENAMES

ORIGINAL

£15.49Add to basket

The original installment of the Codenames games series. The aim of the game is to find all of your team's agents, using one-word clues. Players will need to link the clue to a word(s) on the grid, without choosing one of their rival's words. Choosing the wrong word may also uncover the deadly assassin.. GAME OVER!

CODENAMES

PICTURES

£17.95Add to basket

All the fun of the original Codenames, but with the use of abstract images instead of words. Each spymaster will need to give their team a one-word clue, which will be linked to one or more of the weird and unique images on the table. Players need to be careful that their clue doesn't link to their enemies' pictures.

CODENAMES

DUET

£16.75Add to basket

The latest installment of the Codenames games series. Duet keeps the basic elements of the original game, however you're now working as a team in order to find all of your secret agents. Together, you need to reveal 15 agents before time runs out. Either player can choose to give a clue during the game.

CODENAMES

MARVEL

£21.75Add to basket

The famous characters and locations from the Marvel Universe visit the world of Codenames. Players will take on the role of Hydra and Shield agents as they look to find all of their field agents on the grid! In Codenames Marvel you can choose to play with words or with pictures. Characters include The Hulk and Spider-Man.

CODENAMES

DISNEY

£20.49Add to basket

Some of your most beloved Disney characters have arrived in the world of Codenames! This version keeps all of the tradition gameplay features, whilst featuring characters and locations from over 90 years of Disney and Pixar movies. Characters include Nemo, Micky Mouse and Cinderella.

CODENAMES

XXL

£34.55Add to basket

The double-sized version of this winner of the 2016 Spiel des Jahres is ready to be enjoyed by larger groups. It provides easier visibility with all the fun of the original. While the original card size in Codenames was 2.6″ × 1.7″, Codenames XXL contains cards sized 4.7″ × 2.8″. Can you guide your team to victory?

Codenames Games

CODENAMES

ORIGINAL

£15.49Add to basket

The original installment of the Codenames games series. The aim of the game is to find all of your team's agents, using one-word clues. Players will need to link the clue to a word(s) on the grid, without choosing one of their rival's words. Choosing the wrong word may also uncover the deadly assassin.. GAME OVER!

£52.75Add to basket

CODENAMES

PICTURES

£17.95Add to basket

All the fun of the original Codenames, but with the use of abstract images instead of words. Each spymaster will need to give their team a one-word clue, which will be linked to one or more of the weird and unique images on the table. Players need to be careful that their clue doesn't link to their enemies' pictures.

£52.75Add to basket

CODENAMES

DUET

£16.75Add to basket

The latest installment of the Codenames games series. Duet keeps the basic elements of the original game, however you're now working as a team in order to find all of your secret agents. Together, you need to reveal 15 agents before time runs out. Either player can choose to give a clue during the game.

£52.75Add to basket