Quick answer
Buy the Codenames: Through the Ages Promo Pack only if you own the first edition of Codenames and want a small, thematic word injection for a low price. If you own the second edition, skip it: the card size matches, but the updated card design can make players give clues based on visual differences instead of word meanings. If you want a larger, more flexible word pack that works with both Codenames and Codenames: Duet, the Fairy Tales Expansion Pack is the better buy.
Codenames: Duet
What you actually get in the Through the Ages promo
This is a 10-card, double-sided promo pack with words based on Through the Ages. It is not a full expansion and it does not add new rules, roles, or a new way to play. It simply adds a small set of themed words to your existing Codenames word pool, which is exactly what a promo should do: change the vocabulary without changing the game.
Compatibility: first edition vs. second edition
The pack is compatible with the first edition of Codenames. If you have the second edition, the card size is the same, but the design of the cards has been slightly updated. That difference matters because players might try to give clues based on those visual differences instead of the words' meanings, which is technically against the spirit of the game. If your group is competitive or plays with hidden information, this is a real drawback, not a cosmetic one.
How it compares to a bigger word pack
The Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack contains 50 words and is designed to mix into Codenames or Codenames: Duet. You can mix the new cards into the basic set randomly or in whatever ratio you like, or even play two full games using only the new words. That flexibility makes it a stronger long-term purchase if you want variety rather than a one-off theme.
Price and value check
At the catalog price of USD 3.19, the Through the Ages promo is an easy add-on if you already meet the compatibility condition. It is not a value purchase for second-edition owners, and it is not a substitute for a full expansion. Treat it as a small, themed extra rather than a core upgrade.
Decision rules for buying the Through the Ages promo
- Rule 1: Check your edition first: Open your Codenames box and confirm whether it is the first edition. The promo is compatible with the first edition. If you own the second edition, the card size is the same but the design has been slightly updated, which can lead to clue-giving based on visual differences rather than word meanings. First edition: proceed. Second edition: skip.
- Rule 2: Match the purchase to your goal: If you want a tiny themed word injection for a low price, the 10-card promo fits. If you want meaningful replay variety and compatibility with Codenames: Duet, choose the 50-word Fairy Tales Expansion Pack instead. Small theme vs. large variety: pick one, not both.
- Rule 3: Do not buy it as a fix for a stale game: The promo does not add rules, roles, or new modes. It only adds words. If your group is bored with Codenames itself, a word pack will not solve that. Look at a different game or a full expansion instead. Word packs change vocabulary, not the game loop.
Product facts
- Codenames - Through the Ages Promo Pack (First Edition Codenames): This bonus pack contains 10 double-sided cards with words based on Through the Ages. It is compatible with the first edition of Codenames. It is a small, low-cost word add-on for first-edition owners, not a full expansion.
- Codenames - Through the Ages Promo Pack (First Edition Codenames): If you have the second edition, the card size is the same, but the design of the cards has been slightly updated, which might lead to players trying to give clues based on those visual differences instead of the words' meanings. Second-edition owners should skip it unless they are comfortable with a visual mismatch that can affect fair clue-giving.
- CODENAMES: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack: Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack features a thematic set of 50 words and can be mixed into Codenames or Codenames: Duet, randomly or in whatever ratio you like, or even played as two full games using only the new words. It offers far more word variety and works across both Codenames and Duet, making it a better value for most groups.
Who should buy it
Best for
- First-edition Codenames owners who want a cheap, thematic word add-on
- Groups that already enjoy Codenames and want a small vocabulary change without new rules
- Players who like Through the Ages and want that theme in their word game
Not for
- Second-edition Codenames owners, because the updated card design can affect fair clue-giving
- Groups looking for a large word pack or a full expansion with new mechanics
- Players who want the promo to work with Codenames: Duet as a primary solution
