Hasbro Codenames

What It Is

This is a word association game. Two teams try to guess their secret agents. You get a grid of word cards. Each team has a spymaster who gives one-word clues to get their teammates to pick their team's cards. Don't give away too much, or you might point your team to the assassin card. It works for 2 to 8 players, so you can play with a small group or split into bigger teams.

How It Works

The spymasters look at a key card that only they can see. This card shows which words on the table belong to their team, which belong to the other team, which are neutral bystanders, and which is the assassin. They then give a single word clue and a number. The number tells their team how many words on the table relate to that clue. For example, if the words "Apple," "Tree," and "Doctor" are on the table, and "Apple" and "Tree" are your team's words, you might say "Fruit 2." Your team then touches the cards they think match "Fruit." If they're right, they can go again. If they pick the wrong team's card, it's the other team's turn. If they pick a bystander, the turn ends. If they pick the assassin, your team loses immediately.

Specifications

Brand	Hasbro
Type	Board Game
Product Name	Codenames
Age Group	All ages
Players	2-8 players
Material	Mixed Materials
Safety Rating	CPSC Certified

Contents

• Word Cards: These are the main pieces you'll be looking at and touching. They have different words printed on them.
• Key Cards: These are small cards that show the spymaster which words belong to which team, and which is the assassin. Keep these hidden from your teammates.
• Agent Cards: These cards are placed over the word cards to show which ones have been guessed correctly by each team, or if a bystander or assassin has been revealed.

Usage Notes

Keep the key card out of sight of your team. Think carefully about your clues; a bad clue can cost you the game. The game is best played with people who can think a bit outside the box, but it's simple enough for most people to pick up quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can play?

You can play with as few as 2 people (one spymaster and one guesser on each team) or up to 8 people (four on each team).

Is it hard to learn?

The basic rules are pretty straightforward. You'll understand how to play after a round or two.

What age is this for?

The box says "All ages," and it seems about right. Younger kids might need some help with the word associations, but older kids and adults will get it.

What's in the box?

You get word cards, key cards, agent cards, and a rulebook. The exact number of pieces isn't specified.