**All You Should Know About the NYT’s Favorite Word Game, *Connections***
*Connections* has rapidly gained recognition as one of the most cherished word games from *The New York Times*, enchanting players all around. The game invites players to discover “common links among words.” Much like *Wordle*, *Connections* refreshes every day at midnight, with each new puzzle ramping up in difficulty. If you find yourself in a tough spot, don’t fret—we’ve got hints, tips, and answers to aid you.
If you’re solely interested in today’s answer, just scroll to the end of this article. But if you’d rather tackle it independently, continue reading for clues, strategies, and useful suggestions.
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### What Is *Connections*?
The *New York Times*’ newest daily word game has taken the internet by storm. Developed with the assistance of associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, *Connections* has become a key feature in the *Times*’ Games section. Accessible on both web browsers and mobile platforms, the game challenges players to group four words that are aligned by a common theme.
Each puzzle contains 16 words organized into four categories. These categories can vary from book titles to software brands, countries, and beyond. Even though some words might appear to fit together, there’s only one right combination for every group.
When players successfully group four words, those terms are eliminated from the board. On the other hand, incorrect guesses count as errors, allowing players up to four mistakes before the end of the game.
For added convenience, players can shuffle the board to better notice associations. Each group is also color-coded by level of difficulty: yellow is the simplest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Just like *Wordle*, players can share their outcomes on social media to compare with friends.
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### Tips for Today’s *Connections* Puzzle
Need a gentle push in the right direction? Here are some tips for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Imaginary
– **Green:** Attract
– **Blue:** Video game joy
– **Purple:** Clear in hindsight
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### Today’s *Connections* Categories
Still having trouble? Here’s a rundown of today’s categories to assist you:
– **Yellow:** Fiction
– **Green:** Courtship
– **Blue:** Iconic Atari games
– **Purple:** Items with tails
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### Today’s *Connections* Solution
If you’re prepared for the answers, this is your final chance to turn back and attempt the puzzle by yourself.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today’s *Connections* #581 is:
– **Fiction:** FAIRY TALE, FANTASY, FICTION, INVENTION
– **Attract:** CHARM, COURT, PURSUE, ROMANCE
– **Iconic Atari games:** ASTEROIDS, BREAKOUT, CENTIPEDE, DEFENDER
– **Items with tails:** COIN TOSS, COMETS, DRESS COAT, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
Don’t be disheartened if you missed it this time—there’s always a new day ahead! A brand-new *Connections* puzzle will be awaiting you, and we’ll return with additional hints and solutions to assist you.
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### Interested in More Puzzles?
If you enjoy word games, be sure to explore other *New York Times* hits like *Wordle* or *The Mini* crossword. Looking for today’s *Wordle*? [Here’s the answer to today’s puzzle.](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-january-12-2025)
For even more excitement, visit Mashable’s [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/), where you can enjoy Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword puzzles, and beyond.
Missed yesterday’s *Connections*? [Here’s the solution to yesterday’s puzzle.](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-january-11-2025)
Enjoy puzzling!