Codenames vs King of Tokyo
Side by side comparison of two top board games
Codenames
⭐ 7.6# 145💰 $20👤 2-8
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.
Card GameDeductionParty GameSpy/Secret Agent
King of Tokyo
⭐ 7.1# 533💰 $30👤 2-6
King of Tokyo is a fast-paced dice game where players take on the roles of giant monsters competing to become the King of Tokyo. Roll dice to attack, heal, or earn victory points. The last monster standing - or the first to score 20 victory points - wins. Easy to learn and always exciting.
DiceFantasyFightingScience Fiction
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Codenames | King of Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| BGG Rank | 145 ✓ | 533 |
| Rating | 7.6 ✓ | 7.1 |
| Year Published | 2015 | 2011 ✓ |
| Price | 20 ✓ | 30 |
| Min Players | 2 | 2 |
| Max Players | 8 ✓ | 6 |
| Play Time (min) | 15 ✓ | 30 |
| Min Age | 10 | 8 ✓ |
| Complexity (1-5) | 1.29 | 1.56 ✓ |
Codenames wins in 5 categories, King of Tokyo wins in 3 categories.
Codenames — Time Estimates
2-Player Game15 min
Quick session with a smaller group
8-Player Game15 min
Full table experience
Learning Session45 min
First time playing (includes setup & rule explanation)
King of Tokyo — Time Estimates
2-Player Game30 min
Quick session with a smaller group
6-Player Game30 min
Full table experience
Learning Session60 min
First time playing (includes setup & rule explanation)
Category & Mechanic Comparison
Codenames
Categories
Card GameDeductionParty GameSpy/Secret AgentWord Game
Mechanics
Communication LimitsDeductionMemoryTeam-Based Game
King of Tokyo
Categories
DiceFantasyFightingScience Fiction
Mechanics
Dice RollingHot PotatoIncomeKill StealOpen DraftingPush Your LuckRe-rolling and LockingVariable Player Powers
Rating Comparison
Codenames7.6
King of Tokyo7.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game has a higher rating, Codenames or King of Tokyo?
Codenames has a rating of 7.6, while King of Tokyo has 7.1. Codenames is rated higher.
Which game is more affordable, Codenames or King of Tokyo?
Codenames costs approximately $20 and King of Tokyo costs approximately $30. Codenames is the more affordable option.
Which game supports more players, Codenames or King of Tokyo?
Codenames supports 2-8 players and King of Tokyo supports 2-6 players. Codenames supports more players.
Is Codenames or King of Tokyo more complex?
On a scale of 1-5, Codenames has a complexity weight of 1.29 and King of Tokyo has 1.56. King of Tokyo is the more complex game.
Which game has a shorter play time, Codenames or King of Tokyo?
Codenames takes about 15 minutes to play, while King of Tokyo takes about 30 minutes. Codenames is the quicker game.