Aggregated review · Christmas, New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving, Secret Santa
Codenames
A word game for two teams, where one player on each side gives one-word clues. Works with a big group after dinner.
$25 $25 to $50
The verdict
Hit: 4.8 out of 5, from 2 sources and 302 reviews. The ratings are high wherever we looked.
Fair evidence
Where the score comes from
- Wikipedia No star rating. Cited for what it says.
Based on 302 Walmart reviews. One source has no star rating and is cited for what it says.
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Prices checked October 2026. We earn a commission if you buy.
- Reviews aggregated
- 302Reviews counted
- Sources
- 2Sources
- Gift mentions
- 5 Oct Last checked
Codenames won the Spiel des Jahres in 2016, which is the closest board games have to an Oscar. Walmart buyers rate it 4.8 from 302 reviews.
The main complaint is the waiting. The clue-giver on each team has to find a single word that links several cards, and some people take a long time. Ars Technica called it the main weakness. If someone’s slow, use the sand timer in the box.
It’s the best game on this list for a mixed group: in-laws, cousins who don’t know each other, people who say they don’t like board games. Bring it to Thanksgiving or a New Year’s Eve party and it’ll probably get played.
What reviewers praise
- Easy to explain to people who don't play games
- Works with six or eight people
- Every round is different
What they complain about
- Long waits while the clue-giver thinks
- Made for four or more people
- Not for
- Couples, or anyone who mostly plays with one other person. It's built around two teams.
- Price checked
- October 5, 2026
- Image
- Czech Games Edition press kit
Where to buy it
Prices checked October 2026. We earn a commission if you buy.
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