For those word nerds who have a rotation of games they play each morning, something looks different today: the New York Times mini crossword is no longer free to play, joining the full-sized crossword behind the paywall.
While some users report being able to access it through the app, it’s not available on the web, and it’s no longer listed as a free game on the New York Times Games page. There has been no announcement of the change, leading to confusion from users.
If you are a mini crossword player without a subscription, your first stop should be your local library’s website. Some libraries offer a free subscription to the New York Times, including their games. You will likely have to log in to get a code every day, but it’s free!
For the mini crossword fans without access through their library, there are alternatives. The LA Times and Seattle Times have their own mini crosswords, though they’re not identical to the New York Times version.
The New York Times Spelling Bee game, which previously cut off after achieving the “Good” or “Solid” level, has in recent days only allowed users to enter a couple of words before cutting them off from the free version. It’s unclear how many of their other games will be paywalled soon and to what extent. Is Wordle next?
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