Newsweek has some hints and clues to help you keep your winning streak going in the popular word-based game Connections, which was released by The New York Times in 2023 and is the second-most played game after Wordle. In a recent interview with Connections developer and crossword editor Wyna Liu, she expressed that the puzzle’s global popularity has been overwhelming and unexpected. She finds it exciting that something she cares deeply about is resonating with people around the world.
Playing Connections is simple and fun. Players are given a table of 16 words that must be sorted into four groups of four based on themes and difficulty levels. The categories are color-coded, with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. For example, a recent game linked words like “dip,” “dive,” “splash,” and “swim” under the category “Quick jump in the pool,” which was classified as a green category. Players can click the “Submit” button to check if their chosen words are correct, and they get four tries to get them right. The game has no time limit, but a “Shuffle” button is available in case players get stuck.
In the most recent game, Saturday’s #489 puzzle, players had to match words like “scarf,” “shawl,” “stole,” and “wrap” to the category “DRAPED ACCESSORIES” for the yellow category, while words like “bear,” “stand,” “swallow,” and “take” belonged to the green category “TOLERATE.” Bird sounds like “coo,” “gobble,” “honk,” and “hoot” were linked to the blue category “BIRD ONOMATOPOEIA,” and the first few letters of popular technology brands like “App,” “Goo,” “Motor,” and “Sam” were part of the purple category “STARTS OF CELLPHONE MAKERS.” The answers were provided to help players check their solutions and improve their skills for the next game.
If you missed out on solving the #489 puzzle, don’t worry, a new game will be available on Sunday for you to try your hand at Connections again. The game is released at midnight in your local time zone, so be sure to check back with Newsweek for more hints and answers. In the meantime, consider trying out other popular word puzzles to keep your brain engaged and entertained. Whether you’re a seasoned player on a winning streak or a beginner looking to improve, Connections offers a challenging and rewarding experience for all word puzzle enthusiasts.
Connections’ developer Wyna Liu spoke with Newsweek about the overwhelming global popularity of the puzzle game, expressing her excitement that something she deeply cares about is resonating with people. The game, released by The New York Times in 2023, has quickly become the second-most played game after Wordle. With simple rules and engaging gameplay, players can enjoy sorting words into themed categories of varying difficulty levels in a colorful and challenging puzzle experience. Whether you’re a dedicated player on a winning streak or a beginner looking to improve your skills, Connections offers a fun and rewarding way to challenge your mind and have fun with word-based games.
