Codenames — 2025 second edition, English

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Codenames suits groups who enjoy discussing words and making connections. Two teams see the same grid, while each spymaster uses a hidden key to give one-word clues that point toward their team's agents. A clue can connect several cards, but the assassin makes ambitious guesses risky. This second edition updates the word list, artwork, storage insert and rulebook while retaining the team clue-giving structure. Choose it for a gathering with at least four players and enough shared language for wordplay. The publisher's page explicitly links this exact Amazon edition, providing a strong identity match.

Choose this box for a group that wants to work out word connections in rival teams. One player on each side knows which words belong to that team and gives a short clue to guide the guesses. The useful buying question is whether your group enjoys discussing what a clue might mean—not whether everyone already knows a large set of game rules.

Which Codenames is this?

This is Czech Games Edition’s standard-size English 2025 second edition, model CGE00125, EAN 8594156311254. It is a complete standalone game. The publisher lists 4–8+ players, ages 10+, and about 15 minutes. Those are publisher guidelines, not an AG101 measurement or a guarantee of suitability for every child.

The decision at the table

The game starts with 25 visible words. A spymaster gives one word and a number, trying to connect several of the team’s cards. Teammates choose which words fit while avoiding the other team’s agents, bystanders and the assassin. Revealing the assassin ends the game. This structure makes the conversation around a clue central to the choice.

Consider who will give clues as well as who will guess. If some players are much less comfortable with the card language, seeing familiar letters does not necessarily make the associations easy to share. Reading the words aloud may help someone see what is on the table, but it does not remove the need to understand them.

What comes in the box?

The published list contains 200 double-sided word cards with 400 words, 16 agent tiles, one double-agent tile, seven bystander tiles, one assassin tile, 40 key cards, a rulebook and a card stand. A different Codenames game is not required.

What to consider before buying

Choose the English edition deliberately: language is part of how this word game works. Also check that the listing says standard Codenames. Codenames XXL is a separate larger-print product, and Duet uses a cooperative structure. The second edition has revised words, refreshed artwork and revised packaging, so older-box photographs should not be used to identify this purchase.

Close alternatives

Codenames Pictures replaces the word grid with illustrations and is the more relevant comparison if visual associations appeal. Codenames Duet is the family member to investigate when cooperation between two people matters more than a contest between teams.

Questions before checkout

Does this include another game or an expansion?

It is one standalone Codenames box. No other Codenames title is needed.

Is 15 minutes a complete first-session allowance?

It is the publisher’s playtime estimate. Plan teaching, arranging the cards and explaining clue restrictions separately.

How this guide was prepared

AG101 checked CGE’s current product description and component list against the Amazon catalog identity on November 2, 2026. This is research-based buying guidance; AG101 has not claimed a play test. The product image comes from CGE’s permitted press graphics.

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