SLOW ROADcalm browser games

Daily word groups · The New York Times · 2023

Connections

Sixteen words, four hidden groups. Find what links them before you make four mistakes.

Open the game ↗

Official site, new tab. We earn nothing from the link.

Connections, our illustrationSCORE4.5

Scenic route

  1. A visitOne puzzle a day, 5 to 15 minutes.
  2. Pull over atWhen the day's puzzle is done.
  3. CostsFree. The archive needs a paid NYT Games subscription.
  4. AdvertsNone in the puzzle
  5. AccountOptional
  6. Other playersNone
  7. Our age10+. No violence. Some clues use US references.

What you do

Pick four words you think share a link, submit, and sort all sixteen into colour-coded groups.

Who it suits

People who enjoy lateral thinking. Great to solve with someone over coffee.

The journey

  1. First look

    Some links are obvious. Some are traps. The purple group is always sneaky.

  2. Solving together

    Talking it through with someone is half the fun.

  3. Done for the day

    Four groups found, or four mistakes made: either way, see you tomorrow.

Smooth road

  • Clever daily puzzle
  • Great to share
  • Built-in stop

Potholes

  • US references
  • Archive is paid

The score

CalmNo pressure, no shouting.4.4
CharmLook, sound and small touches.4.3
BrainSomething for the mind to do.4.7
Fair to youAdverts, accounts, easy to stop.4.4

Overall 4.5 out of 5 · how we score

At the end of the road

A daily dose of 'oh, of course'. Best solved out loud.

Played on a computer and a phone, checked on 26 October 2026.