—
rating
Ludopedia
5.9
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Harry Potter and Codenames fans will love this magical mashup, keeping the original's essence while adding fresh tactical layers.
Highlights
- Innovative asymmetric abilities
- Immersive Hogwarts theme
- Perfect for repeat sessions (House Cup)
- Easy to teach newcomers
Keep in mind
- May repeat ability combinations
- Less accessible without theme knowledge
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Codenames: Back to Hogwarts brings the classic word association gameplay to the Wizarding World, with a magical twist and fresh mechanics that refresh the experience for both veterans and newcomers. Players are first-year Hogwarts students split into rival houses, each with a prefect who knows the secrets of the school's card grid. The prefect gives clues (a word + a number) for their team to guess matching cards, exploring Hogwarts' halls. But beware: rival cards, dead ends, and caretaker Argus Filch can quickly end the fun. The big addition is each house's unique asymmetric abilities, adding unprecedented strategic layers to the original game. With variable ability combinations per match, every session is a new adventure. And the best part? Wins accumulate points for the House Cup, perfect for themed game nights with friends.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
4
BEST
5
OK
6
BEST
7
OK
8
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Czech Games Edition (CGE), Cranio Creations, Devir, Feelindigo, HeidelBÄR Games, IELLO, MINDOK, Rebel Sp. z o.o., White Goblin Games
Designer
Vlaada Chvátil
Artist
Ondřej Hrdina, Štěpán Drašťák
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
554owners
299wishlist
20want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Do I need Harry Potter knowledge to play?
Not essential, but fans will enjoy the references and immersive theme much more.
How many matches for the House Cup?
You decide! The scoring is flexible — best of 3, 5, or even a semester-long rivalry among friends.
Do abilities unbalance the game?
No, they're playtested to be equally powerful but with distinct effects requiring different strategies.
Worth it if I own original Codenames?
Absolutely! The new mechanics and theme offer a fresh experience even for veterans of the classic.
Does it work well with 4 players?
Yes, but it shines with 6-8, where the controlled chaos and team debates get funnier.
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