The New York Times Games platform has become one of the most popular destinations for puzzle lovers around the world. As someone who plays NYT Games almost every day, I’ve seen how much the collection has grown over the past few years. In 2025, the lineup offers a good balance of word puzzles, logic challenges, and quick mental warm-ups – there’s truly something for you and others.
Whether you’re someone who enjoys solving deep, tricky crosswords or you just want a fun five-minute break, NYT Games has options that suit all moods and skill levels.
Here’s a complete guide to the top ten New York Times games you should try this year, along with personal insights and updates you need to know.
1. Wordle
If you’ve been online in the past few years, chances are you’ve heard of Wordle. This simple yet addictive game challenges you to guess a five-letter word within six tries. After each guess, the letters change colors to indicate if they’re in the correct position, helping you zero in on the solution.
I’ve made Wordle a part of my morning routine. It’s quick, satisfying, and surprisingly good at waking up the brain. Unlike many NYT games, Wordle is free, so anyone can enjoy the daily challenge without subscribing.
2. The Mini Crossword
If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into crossword puzzles but found full-sized ones intimidating, The Mini Crossword is the perfect starting point. It’s a 5×5 grid designed to be completed in just a few minutes. The clues are clever without being overwhelming, making it a great way to warm up your mind.
Personally, I play The Mini during my coffee break, and my best time so far is 2 minutes 18 seconds. It’s a daily little victory that feels oddly rewarding. The game is included with an NYT Games subscription, but it’s worth it if you enjoy short, snappy puzzles.
3. Spelling Bee
The Spelling Bee game is a test of vocabulary and creativity. You’re given seven letters arranged in a honeycomb, with one letter (called the hive letter) fixed at the center. Your goal is to create as many words as possible using those letters, but every word must include the central letter.
The real thrill comes from finding the pangram – a word that uses all seven letters. Whenever I manage to spot one, it feels like hitting a jackpot. The Spelling Bee can get competitive, especially if you share scores with friends, and it’s one of the most replayable games on the platform.
4. The Crossword
This is where NYT Games truly shines. The daily crossword puzzle has been an American institution since 1942, and in 2025, it remains just as engaging as ever. The puzzles start easy on Monday and get progressively harder throughout the week, culminating in the notoriously challenging Saturday and the giant Sunday crossword.
I’ve noticed that solving Thursday crosswords often involves tricky gimmicks or wordplay, which can be frustrating but incredibly satisfying once you crack the pattern. The full crossword experience requires a subscription, but if you love word puzzles, it’s worth every penny.
5. Connections
Introduced in 2023, Connections quickly became one of my favorites. You’re given 16 words and need to group them into four categories of four words each. It sounds simple, but the categories can be deceptively tricky – think “types of clouds” versus “types of bread.”
I usually play Connections in the evening with family. We compare notes and argue about which words belong together. It’s collaborative, fun, and surprisingly educational. For anyone who enjoys logic-based thinking, this game is a must-try.
6. Letter Boxed
Letter Boxed is a refreshing twist on word games. You’re presented with a square containing letters on all four sides. The goal is to form words by connecting letters, but you can’t use two consecutive letters from the same side. To complete the puzzle, you need to use all the letters, ideally in as few words as possible.
I’ll admit that Letter Boxed stumped me the first few times, but once I figured out the strategies, it became addictive. I still remember one puzzle where I solved it in just two words – one of my proudest NYT Games moments.
7. Tiles
If you need a visual break from word games, Tiles is perfect. It’s a pattern-matching game where you tap tiles with matching designs to create long chains. The backgrounds are vibrant, the patterns are elegant, and the experience is surprisingly calming.
I usually play Tiles when I want something less mentally taxing but still engaging. It’s a nice balance between challenge and relaxation, making it a great palette cleanser between tougher puzzles.
8. Strands
Strands is one of the newest additions to NYT Games, introduced in early 2024. It’s essentially a word search with a twist – each puzzle has a hidden theme, and your goal is to find all the themed words in the grid. There’s also a “Spangram” – a single long word that uses all the letters and connects opposite sides of the board.
Strands feels fresh and modern, and I’ve grown to love its pacing. It’s a bit harder than the Mini Crossword but easier than Spelling Bee, making it an excellent middle-ground challenge.
9. Sudoku
For puzzle lovers who prefer numbers over words, the NYT Sudoku is an absolute gem. The goal is to fill a 9×9 grid so that each row, column, and 3×3 box contains all digits from 1 to 9 without repetition. It offers multiple difficulty levels, from beginner-friendly grids to expert challenges that can take serious focus.
I often play Sudoku late at night when I want a calm but stimulating activity. It’s great for improving logic, pattern recognition, and concentration, and the clean NYT interface makes solving especially smooth.
10. Vertex
If you enjoy puzzles with a visual payoff, Vertex is fantastic. You’re given dots connected by numbered lines, and by joining them in sequence, you reveal a hidden image – often a landscape, animal, or abstract design.
I like playing Vertex on weekends when I have more time. There’s something relaxing about watching the picture slowly come to life, and it feels almost meditative compared to the faster-paced games.
Access and Subscription in 2025
While Wordle remains free, most NYT Games require a subscription. In 2025, the NYT Games-only plan costs around $6/month or roughly $50/year if you opt for the annual package. Occasionally, there are promotional discounts, so it’s worth checking the official site for offers.
From my experience, the subscription is worth it if you regularly play at least two or three games. The platform offers a clean interface, ad-free experience, and daily updates that keep the content fresh.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, New York Times Games continues to deliver some of the most engaging puzzles available online. Whether you’re racing through the Mini Crossword, debating categories in Connections, or chasing pangrams in Spelling Bee, there’s always something new to challenge your mind.
Having played these games daily for months, I can confidently say they’ve become more than just entertainment – they’re part of my routine, a mental workout, and sometimes even a social activity when shared with friends and family.
If you haven’t tried them yet, start with Wordle and Mini Crossword, then explore deeper into Connections, Spelling Bee, and Strands. Once you’re hooked, you’ll see why millions of players – myself included – come back every day.
