Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Guess Who is the board game equivalent of a reliable minivan—it does exactly what it says on the box, nothing more, nothing less.

For young elementary kids learning deduction, it's genuinely useful. The yes/no questioning teaches logical elimination in a concrete way, and the 20-minute runtime means you're not trapped in an endless game spiral. It's wholesome family time without drama.

But let's be real: this is not a deep strategic experience. After three rounds, you've seen everything the game offers. The BGG rating of 4.8 (out of 10) tells the story—it's fine, not amazing. Parents on Reddit joke that newer editions cause more family fights due to ambiguous character features, which is honestly the most interesting thing about it.

The lack of diversity in character representation is a miss for 2025, and the fact that it only supports 2 players is limiting. If you want a quick deduction game for your 6-year-old, great. If you want something with staying power or that grows with your kids, look elsewhere.

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-10. The 6+ rating is spot-on, though bright 5-year-olds can handle it. By age 11, most kids will find it too simple and repetitive unless they're playing with much younger siblings.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Classic deduction game with simple, friendly gameplay that brings families together without chaos or conflict. The back-and-forth questioning creates natural conversation and turn-taking. Some parents note the newer editions lack diversity in character representation compared to what kids see in 2025, which is a minor wholesome ding.

Imaginative

52

Pure deduction mechanics with yes/no questions—there's strategic thinking involved, but zero creative expression or open-ended play. You're essentially playing 20 questions with cartoon faces. The game doesn't invite building, storytelling, or exploration. It's mentally engaging in a narrow way, but imagination? Not really.

Safe

95

About as safe as board games get. No mature themes, no toxic social dynamics, no gambling mechanics. The competitive element is mild—you're just asking questions about hair color and glasses. Recent reviews mention the character cards are flimsy, but that's a durability issue, not a safety concern. One parent noted newer editions create 'more disagreements' due to ambiguous character features, but honestly, that's just board game friction.

Enriching

68

Teaches genuine deduction skills, logical elimination, and strategic questioning. Kids learn to narrow possibilities efficiently and think about information theory in a concrete way. The problem-solving is real. But it's also incredibly repetitive—after a few rounds, you've basically seen everything the game has to offer. BGG complexity of 1.09 confirms this is very light mental exercise. Entertainment value is decent for short bursts.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches real deduction and logical elimination skills in a concrete, accessible way
Quick 20-minute gameplay makes it perfect for short attention spans or time-crunched families
Low complexity (1.09 BGG weight) means even young kids can grasp it immediately
Creates natural conversational turns and teaches strategic questioning
14,000+ BGG community members own it—it's a proven family staple for a reason

⚠

What to Watch For

Extremely limited replayability—after a few rounds, the novelty wears thin
Only supports 2 players, so siblings will need to take turns or you'll need multiple sets
Newer editions have been criticized for lacking diversity in character representation
Character cards are reportedly flimsy in recent versions
Some ambiguous features in newer editions can cause more arguments (though that might be a feature, not a bug)

Conversation Starters

"What's your strategy—do you ask about common features first or rare ones?"
"If you could add any character to the game, who would it be and what would they look like?"
"How do you decide which question will eliminate the most faces?"
"Do you think it's better to guess early or keep narrowing it down?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic