The New York Times has struck gold again. After the global success of Wordle, another game from its puzzle vault is taking over — Connections. This word puzzle is becoming a daily obsession for fans of pattern recognition and vocabulary skills.
Launched in 2023 and tucked inside the New York Times Games section, Connections is quickly becoming one of the internet’s favorite word challenges. It’s simple, smart, and slightly frustrating in the best possible way.
Here’s everything you need to know about this viral puzzle.
What Is the NYT’s Connections Game?
Connections is a word association puzzle that asks players to find four groups of four words that share a common thread. Each day, a new grid of 16 words appears. These words are carefully crafted to form four connected sets — but the trick is, those sets are not obvious.
Players must use logic, vocabulary, and intuition to uncover the hidden relationships. Whether it’s colors, countries, types of pasta, or book titles, each puzzle feels like a mini detective case.
Unlike Wordle, which gives you six guesses to find a single five-letter word, Connections lets you make unlimited guesses — but only four mistakes before it ends your game.
How to Play Connections
When you open the game (found here on the NYT website), you’re shown a 4×4 grid of words.
The goal: Identify four sets of four connected words
The challenge: Some words seem to fit more than one category. That’s where it gets tricky.
Each category is color-coded by difficulty:
- Yellow: Easy
- Green: Medium
- Blue: Hard
- Purple: Most difficult
You click four words you think are related, then hit “Submit.” If they’re right, they lock in and disappear from the board. If not, you get a strike.
Four wrong group guesses and the puzzle is over.
Why the Game Is Going Viral
Connections has become a daily ritual for thousands — and growing. Just like Wordle, players are sharing their results, comparing strategies, and even debating connections on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter).
The appeal lies in its mix of:
- Brain stimulation
- Pattern recognition
- Trivia fun
It also rewards different kinds of intelligence. It’s not about speed, but accuracy and lateral thinking. That’s why teachers, language lovers, and logic fans are hooked.
One fan on Reddit said: “It’s like doing four mini crosswords at once — it makes you rethink how words relate.”
The Secret Behind Its Addictiveness
What makes Connections different from many word games is its playful but sneaky difficulty. The New York Times puzzle editors throw in words with double meanings, puns, and tricky distractions.
For example, a recent puzzle had the words:
- Mercury
- Venus
- Mars
- Earth
Obvious, right? Planets. But then they threw in “Saturn,” which wasn’t in that set. That caused confusion — because Saturn belonged to a different category: Roman gods.
This clever misdirection is what keeps players coming back. The game doesn’t just test vocabulary — it tests how well you can group concepts.
From Wordle to Connections: NYT’s Gaming Success
The New York Times has seen major success with digital puzzles in recent years.
First, Wordle went viral after its acquisition in 2022. It added millions of new subscribers to NYT Games. Now, with Connections, the Times is proving that casual, clever gaming is not just a phase — it’s the future of reader engagement.
These games appeal to all ages, offer a short daily brain teaser, and build community.
According to the NYT, tens of thousands of players are now logging in daily to play Connections. Here’s a direct link to try the puzzle.
Tips to Solve Connections Like a Pro
- Start with the easy set (usually yellow). These are often categories like days of the week, colors, or animals
- Look for wordplay – Sometimes words belong due to double meanings or slang
- Group before guessing – Try to spot all four sets mentally before submitting your first guess
- Eliminate distractions – Some words are meant to trick you. Think creatively
- Practice daily – Like Wordle, you’ll improve over time by learning the editors’ styles
Why You Should Try It Today
If you enjoyed Wordle or crossword puzzles, you’ll likely get hooked on Connections. It’s a fresh take on word gaming that’s quick, challenging, and satisfying.
It’s also mobile-friendly and doesn’t require downloading any app — just visit the NYT Games section and play.
Plus, it encourages pattern thinking, which is great for improving memory, problem-solving, and even language skills.
Final Thoughts: Connections Might Be the Next Big Puzzle Craze
With its smart design, short daily format, and rising popularity, Connections is looking like the next Wordle-style success for The New York Times. It’s fun, mentally stimulating, and highly shareable.
So, if you haven’t played yet, today’s the perfect day to start.
You can try it now via the official New York Times Connections Game page.
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