Claire Hedger| Arts and Entertainment Editor/Social Media Manager
October 19, 2023
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past three years, chances are you have heard of the game Wordle.
First released to the public in October 2021, Wordle took the world by storm as a game of both wit and strategy. This game challenges players to guess a five-letter word within six attempts. It provides feedback after each guess, indicating which letters are correct in their correct position with the color yellow, while letters in the wrong position are highlighted in gray. Players must use their elimination skills to uncover the hidden word as the clock counts down.
“I never get sick of Wordle,” says junior Julia Sipelis. “I try to play it every morning.”
It wasn’t long before the New York Times bought the game from the original creator, Josh Wardle, for one million dollars. Wordle now sits among the other seven free games offered by the New York Times, many of which (in my opinion) are not talked about enough.
If you are looking for ways to enhance your mind and logic or pass the time in class, below is a list of the best games the New York Times offers besides the beloved Wordle.
1. The Mini Crossword
The Mini Crossword on The New York Times is a bite-sized word puzzle that offers a quick and entertaining mental challenge. In this daily game, players are tasked with completing a 5×5 grid, making it a perfect choice for a brief mind exercise. The clues are often clever, offering a mix of trivia, wordplay, and pop culture references. The game is perfect for testing your knowledge and keeping you entertained.
2. Connections
In this game, players are presented with a series of words that may seem unrelated at first glance. The challenge lies in discovering the common thread or connection that ties them together. These connections can range from historical events to shared characteristics, wordplay, or thematic relationships. Whether you’re a trivia enthusiast or simply looking to exercise your brain in a fun and engaging way, Connections offers a unique and satisfying challenge that keeps you coming back for more.
3. Spelling Bee
In this daily challenge, players are presented with a hive of seven letters, with one letter designated as the central “hub.” The objective is to create as many words as possible using the given letters, including the central one. This game is perfect to test your vocabulary in a fun and engaging way.
“I love the New York Times puzzles,” says senior Jake Poole. “I do the mini crossword every morning to see if I can beat my time from the day before.”
So, the next time you’re in need of a mental challenge or simply looking for a delightful break from your academic pursuits, don’t forget to check out the New York Times Games.
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