There are a lot of things that I like about word board games, but the top reason is because they seem to get the most people to the table. Even my non-gamer friends can get into word games because, in general, they’re quick, easy to learn, and loads of fun to play!
I do wish there were more great co-op word games around. More word games have been or will be released in 2024–A Message From the Stars and Landmarks are two I’m looking forward to playing–so I’ll probably (hopefully) be extending this list pretty soon (update: I posted a Landmarks review).
I should say that there are more than five word games that my main gaming group really likes and plays pretty often, but the five listed on this page are games that I can recommend to most people.
Okay, let’s get to it! Below are some of the best cooperative word board games that you can get right now!
5. So Clover!
Players: 2-6 | Ages: 10+
So Clover! is one of my group’s favorite word association games because it’s a lot of fun trying to come up with creative connections between the different sets of words. I’m not great at this one, but I always have fun playing it.
There’s also less downtime in So Clover! than in most other word games since everyone’s writing down their clues at the same time. Rounds are very quick, so it works well as a filler game or you can play a bunch of rounds in a single night.
So Clover! continues to be one of the best cheap board games out there and it’s also one of the better board games for higher player counts.
Read our So Clover! review
4. Letter Jam
Players: 2-6 | Ages: 10+
Letter Jam is one of the more challenging word games because it blends limited communication, spelling, and deduction.
Your goal in Letter Jam is to figure out the letters in front of you and then unscramble them after receiving clues from your teammates. Each player has their own letters, so you have to work together so everyone can work on their words.
Letter Jam is a very well-designed word game and is perfect for anyone who likes to play tough cooperative games.
Read our Letter Jam review
3. Illiterati
Players: 1-5 | Ages: 7+
Illiterati is a fantastic real-time board game in which you use the letters you have to complete the objectives on the table. Thematically, you’re librarians attempting to bind books to save the world from illiteracy.
Because it’s a real-time game, Illiterati puts more pressure on players to come up with words quickly. That element makes the game better, in my opinion. Plus, it’s one of the better five-player board games we’ve played in recent years, so it has hit the table quite a bit for us.
If you enjoy playing real-time games and word games, you should definitely check out Illiterati.
Read our Illiterati review
Check out our Top 10 Three-Player Games!
2. Just One
Players: 3-7| Ages: 8+
Just One has felt like a classic since the day it came out because it has straightforward rules and very addictive gameplay. Plus, it’s a great word game for adults to play and I’ve seen it work quite well as a kids’ board game.
During each round of Just One, the active player has a word in front of them and the other players have to give one-word clues to try to help them guess it. The twist is that matching words are canceled and the guesser has to work with whatever’s left.
Just One is one of the best party games out there and it’s easily my top recommendation if you’re looking for a word board game for three or more players.
Read our Just One review
1. Codenames: Duet
Players: 2-4 | Ages: 11+
Codenames: Duet has been one of my group’s top two-player cooperative games for years now. I believe it is currently on the most board game rankings on this site, and for good reason.
Codenames: Duet is a two-player deduction game in which there are a bunch of words on the table and you give each other one-word clues to find the “agents” (correct words) while avoiding the assassin. It can be played by more than two players, but it was designed for two.
Codenames: Duet may be a small word game, but I have had some of my most memorable gaming experiences playing it. Pound for pound, it’s one of the best cooperative board games around and it’s easily my group’s top word game.
Read our Codenames: Duet review
Get your copy of Codenames: Duet
What are your favorite cooperative word board games? Any that didn’t make this list?
Be sure to also take a look at our Best Cooperative Board Games list and our other board game rankings.
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