Codenames is one of the most popular tabletop games of the past few years. There’s many Codenames versions, so to help you decide which version to get we tell you which we think is the best Codenames version and why.
Our Top 5 Codenames Versions
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1. Codenames: Pictures
- A picture says more than a 1,000 words
- More creativity
- Better for kids
We like Codenames: Pictures better than the original Codenames. This might surprise some people, given the overwhelming popularity of the original version. But, think about it: is it easier to give clues about a single word, or about a picture of an igloo with a beach chair in front of it? Which sparks more associations? Which entices you to make the better, funnier and more creative clue?
Codenames: Pictures is also the easier version to play with children. They too have far more associations with pictures than with words. Moreover, to make good clues in the original version you often need to know that words have double meanings, which children often don’t. In fact, young children might not always know all the words in the first place. This doesn’t happen in the Pictures version because even if they don’t know what an object on a picture is it still triggers an association.
I find it hard to express just how much better Codenames: Pictures is than the original version. And I love the original version! So if you like the original Codenames I encourage you in the strongest way I possibly can to get the pictures version.
- Players: 2 - 8
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Bigger cards for bigger groups
The XXL version is identical to the normal Pictures version, so it’s just as good. And the bigger cards are nice for bigger groups, but we don’t think it’s a huge deal. We mostly play with 4 players and even with 8 players the cards size of the original version doesn’t bother us too much.
The XXL version is also a bit more expensive, so it’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to pay for bigger cards.
- Players: 2 - 8
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Best for 2 players
- New cooperative mode
- New campaign mode
- Compatible with the original Codenames
Further, Duet introduces a campaign in which players move from country to country to solve maps of varying difficulties. This campaign is quite light and there isn’t a narrative to it, but it’s still very enjoyable. It leads you to feel like you made some real progress after completing 5 different maps.
What’s also great about Codenames Duet is that it’s cards are fully compatible with the original version. So Duet hits two birds with one stone by being both a standalone game and an expansion. That’s why there’s also a Codenames bundle set that offers both games at a slight discount.
All in all, Codenames Duet is the true value pack version of Codenames. It adds a cooperative 2 player mode, a campaign mode and an expansion pack. It’s the biggest bang for your buck you can get!
- Players: 2 - 4
- Duration: 15 - 20 minutes
- Best drinking game
- 18+
Now, I don’t like to admit that I like this game, because that makes me feel like I’m 14 years old again. But I can tell you, there’s lots of giggling going on when I play this sexy Codenames version. So I can’t lie: I am mentally still 14 and I do love saying I’m Deep Under Covers 😉
Naturally, this Codenames version is great for when there’s moderate to above moderate drinking going on. The mixture of liquor and Codenames: Deep Undercover lures out the remaining bits of puberty in people.
So if you’re and adult, but you like to act like you aren’t, Deep Undercover is the Codenames version for you.
- Players: 4 - 8
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Not the best version but still a great game
The truth is, we absolutely love the original version of Codenames. We played it a ton and still play it occasionally. So it’s not like we hate normal Codenames. The other versions are just even better.
It’s just that the original version is never the best Codenames game to play for any given situation. If you’re with 2 players, the Duet version is better. If you’re drinking, the adult version is better. And under any other circumstances, the pictures version is better.
So don’t get me wrong: the original version of Codenames is a great game. It’s just been surpassed by the even better following versions. If you still want to get it though, you can consider getting the Codenames XXL version with bigger cards, for if you mostly want to play with big groups.
- Players: 2 - 8
- Duration: 15 minutes
Honorable Mentions
There’s some other Codenames versions that we don’t include in our ranking because they appeal to a rather niche audience. But, if you’re a fan of any of the brands below, you should know there’s a Codenames version about them.
Rounding Up
We hope our ranking helps you pick the best Codenames version for you.
If you still have further questions, please send them to us through our contact form. We’re happy to help. We also periodically review and update our posts, so any questions you ask may end up in future versions of our ranking. This way, we can help future readers decide which Codenames version to get even better 🙂
Our Top 5 Codenames Versions