If you've been spending your mornings or lunch breaks playing word and puzzle games, chances are you've come across NYT Connections. This daily puzzle by The New York Times has won the hearts (and sometimes scrambled the brains) of fans everywhere. But now, with many similar “Connections Games” popping up online, people are starting to wonder: which one is harder?
Let’s break this down in a simple way. NYT Connections gives you 16 words, and your goal is to group them into four sets of four, based on something they have in common. Some categories are pretty obvious—like four colors or four movie titles. But others take a little more thinking. For example, one group could be bird names, and another could be words that double as fruits and colors. It starts off easy, but each group gets trickier, and by the time you’re down to the last few, your brain might feel like it’s doing gymnastics.
Other Connections Games you find online or through apps may follow the same format, but the difficulty can vary a lot. Some might have looser categories or allow for more flexible thinking, while others throw in words that seem completely unrelated until you suddenly see the hidden pattern. The big difference is how much effort the creators put into making sure their puzzles are challenging but still make sense.
Many players say NYT Connections tends to be more polished and consistent. That’s partly because it’s made by a team of puzzle pros who test and tweak each game before putting it out there. On the other hand, other Connections Games—especially those made by smaller teams or independent creators—sometimes throw in groups that feel a little too random or forced. That can make them feel harder, but not always in a good way.
So, which one is harder? Honestly, it depends on how your mind works. If you like smooth, logical connections and a steady challenge, you might find NYT Connections to be the right mix of fun and brain teasing. But if you enjoy puzzles that throw out wildcards or make you think way outside the box, other versions might be more up your alley.
In the end, both types offer something fun. Try a few different versions, and see which one keeps you coming back!