Every so often I’ll be highlighting some of the spy games I’ve picked up from various second hand stores over the years. I haven’t played most of these yet, as finding willing spy game participants can be tricky, but I’m hoping to road test some of these as the kids get older.

Before I Kill You, Mister Spy is a card based spy game created by a game developer named Jason Ernst that has a bit of a tortured past. It started out as a game called Before I Kill You, Mister Bond, before forced to rename the game for obvious reasons. It re-emerged as Jason Ernst’s Totally Renamed Spy Game before going out of print. Most recently it’s been released in a slimmed down version called Before I Kill You, Mister Spy.

The concept is pretty fun. Each player is a super villain. The goal is to build your secret lair and capture super spies.

Part of the game involves playing “taunt” cards that have you say ridiculous phrases like “Before I kill you, Mister Spy I insist on challenging you to a blindfolded karate match.” or other goofy concepts to your opponent.

Below is a good video a youtuber created that explains the full playing rules. Overall it’s a fun and inventive spy game.