The New York Times Games has introduced bonus puzzles, a new offering available to Games and All Access subscribers.
Bonus puzzles are a weekly drop of five to six new puzzles, released every Wednesday and created by its puzzle constructors and editors, says the publisher. Each release features our games with a twist, including Wordle in 1, Connections 3x3, Colorful Strands, Mystery Mini, Easy Mode Crossword and Special Crossword.
“Bonus puzzles are an exciting addition to continue diversifying our portfolio, with each puzzle built on mechanics that our solvers already know and love, but with novelty to make them feel distinct from the daily puzzles,” said Jonathan Knight, head of Games. “Designed for flexible, low-pressure play, the weekly drop gives solvers more ways to play with no daily obligations. And this new offering builds upon the value of a New York Times Games subscription, introducing fresh and exclusive puzzles that leave solvers excited to return for more.”
The types of bonus puzzles available may vary from week to week, but the publisher says can include:
- Wordle in 1: A variation of Wordle, where players are given one clue and there is only one possible word solution. There are five rounds in each Wordle in 1 game, with one word to be guessed for each round. Players need to guess all five words to win the game. For an extra challenge, players can compare their times with friends in timer mode.
- Connections 3x3: A variation of Connections, where there are three groups of three instead of four groups of four.
- Colorful Strands: A variation of Strands, where the rules are the same but with more visually interesting, editorially designed board treatments.
- Mystery Mini: A variation of the Mini, where the rules are the same but with a creative twist to the presentation of the grid or the clues.
- Easy Mode Crossword: The Friday Crossword is typically one of the hardest puzzles of the week, so we now offer a version featuring the same grid but with easier clues. This puzzle is also published in the Easy Mode Newsletter every Friday.
- Special Crossword: A special themed version of the Crossword, published on the first day of each month. In some months, more than one Special Crossword may be published. The puzzles are designed to have the difficulty of an early-week puzzle and to feature the theme in more entries than the daily version. Puzzle editor Christina Iverson has also been experimenting with Special Crossword constructor collaborations, working with celebrity constructors who have a unique point of view, such as Rachel Dratch, Jeff Tweedy, Bianca Del Rioand Gabby Windey.
Bonus puzzles debuted last week with a starter set, a group of introductory bonus puzzles that all solvers can play without a subscription.
Bonus puzzles are starting to roll out now and will be available to all Games and All Access subscribers in the next few months. Subscribers can play the latest drop, catch up on previous weeks, or jump in whenever they have time in the New York Times Games app on iOS and Android, as well as mobile web and desktop. The publisher says bonus puzzles are the latest addition to Games and All Access subscriber-only features including past puzzle archives, gameplay statistics, exclusive badges and more.
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