Head to head
Wavelength or Codenames
To help you decide
Why you'd pick each one
Wavelength
- Less well known, if you want something off the beaten track.
- Fills a long session, if you have the whole evening.
- Handles up to 12 players.
- Brings targeted clues, which the other one doesn't have.
Codenames
- Better rated on BoardGameGeek: 7.5 vs 7.2.
- Far more played: 105,575 ratings against 19,077.
- Plays in 15 minutes against 38.
- Brings communication limits and deduction, which the other one doesn't have.
- Works with younger players: 10+ against 14+.
The numbers, side by side
| Data point | Wavelength | Codenames |
|---|---|---|
| BGG rating | 7.2 | 7.5 Better rated |
| Ratings | 19,077 | 105,575 |
| Players | 2–12 | 2–8 |
| Playing time | 30–45 min | 15 min |
| Complexity | 1.1 / 5 | 1.3 / 5 |
| Age | 14+ | 10+ |
| Year | 2019 | 2015 |
Only the rating gets a winner mark. A shorter or lighter game isn't a better one: it depends on what you're after.
Ratings and catalogue data are attributed to BoardGameGeek.