Codenames vs Catan
Side by side comparison of two top board games
Codenames
Codenames is a word-based party game where two teams compete to contact their agents first. Each round, a spymaster gives a one-word clue that can point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates must guess the correct words while avoiding the opposing team's agents and the assassin. Simple to learn but endlessly replayable.
Catan
Catan is the classic strategy game that introduced modern board gaming to the world. Players build settlements, cities, and roads on the island of Catan by collecting and trading resources. The modular board creates a different island each game. Trade and negotiation are key as players work to become the dominant settlement on Catan.
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Codenames | Catan |
|---|---|---|
| BGG Rank | 145 ✓ | 583 |
| Rating | 7.6 ✓ | 7.1 |
| Year Published | 2015 | 1995 ✓ |
| Price | 20 ✓ | 35 |
| Min Players | 2 ✓ | 3 |
| Max Players | 8 ✓ | 4 |
| Play Time (min) | 15 ✓ | 60 |
| Min Age | 10 | 10 |
| Complexity (1-5) | 1.29 | 2.33 ✓ |
Codenames wins in 6 categories, Catan wins in 2 categories.