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NY Times Crossword Logo

Arcade staple with a joystick - NYT The Crossword Clue

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Across

  • RSSFEED is the solution because it refers to a web format that consolidates updates from various websites (news, blogs, etc.) into one stream. It’s “customizable” since users can select their preferred sources and "all-in-one" as it aggregates everything into a single feed for easy access.

  • The phrase "Shoots for the stars" is a metaphor indicating ambition or aiming high. "GOES BIG" fits as it describes someone striving boldly or taking an expansive approach to achieve their dreams, aligning perfectly with the aspirational nature of the clue.

  • OTHELLO is a board game played on an 8x8 grid, where players place black and white discs to capture and flip their opponent's discs. The gameplay aligns with the clue’s description of a game on this specific board size, making it the correct answer.

  • The clue "Thumbs down from me" is enclosed in quotes, signaling it's a spoken phrase. When one gives a "thumbs down" in a voting context, it signifies disapproval or rejection. The phrase "I vote no" is explicitly how one might voice such disapproval, matching the answer IVOTENO.

  • The clue hides OM, a classic meditation chant, inside the sense word TOUCH. Insert OM and you get TOO MUCH, which looks strange until you see the construction. The phrase is reimagined through wordplay, not definition, the hallmark of this puzzle’s theme.

  • The clue "Sought-after" directly aligns with the meaning of DESIRED. Both terms indicate something that is greatly wanted or coveted. "Sought-after" implies pursuit or longing, while "desired" expresses a strong wish for something, making it a perfect synonym and solution.

  • The clue "Variety of bark?" uses a pun signaled by the question mark. "Bark" can mean a dog’s bark. A variety of barking sounds includes "ARF," a common onomatopoeic representation of a dog's bark. Thus, ARF fits as the playful solution to the clue.

  • "Bed" here refers to a baby's crib. A DIAPER is commonly changed on a baby, often while on a crib or changing table. The playful interpretation ties "bed" to baby care essentials.

  • The answer is LARS because Lars Ulrich is the drummer and a founding member of Metallica, the renowned heavy metal band. The blank in the clue indicates a first name, and Lars is the correct match for this well-known musician.

  • The clue "Gave a sneak preview of" suggests hinting at or revealing something partially or playfully. The word TEASED fits perfectly because it implies offering a glimpse or preview to provoke interest, much like teasing a movie or an announcement without fully revealing it.

  • The tennis do-over is a LET, a serve replayed after hitting the net. Insert LET inside ROUTE, and you get ROULETTE. “In a way” signals this isn’t literal, the wordplay makes it work. Another entry where one word hides neatly inside another.

  • In British peerage, "earl" is the male equivalent of a "countess." When an individual holds the rank of earl, their female counterpart (spouse or female titleholder) is referred to as a countess, making them direct counterparts in the hierarchy.

  • A hinny is a hybrid equine, specifically the offspring of a male horse (stallion) and a female donkey (jenny). This is the counterpart to a mule, which comes from a male donkey and a female horse. The clue "Equine hybrid" directly refers to this type of crossbreed, making HINNY the correct answer.

  • The clue "One in Bonn" hints at the German language because Bonn is a city in Germany. "One" in German translates to "Ein," making EIN the correct answer. This relies on the foreign language indicator in the clue.

  • The answer is SDSU, which stands for San Diego State University. SDSU has a satellite campus located in Calexico, California. The abbreviation "Sch." in the clue signals "school," and the geographical hint (Calexico) narrows it to this specific university that operates in the area.

  • The clue includes quotes, signaling a spoken or casual response. "CUZ" is a slang or abbreviated form of "because," making it a terse, informal reply to "Why?"—perfectly fitting the clue. It's brief, conversational, and commonly used in casual speech.

  • The clue "Thingum" refers to an informal, generic term for an object or gadget whose name is forgotten or unknown. "DOODAD" is a playful synonym often used in casual language to mean the same thing, matching this vague, object descriptor perfectly.

  • Christopher Reeve, Superman’s iconic portrayer, hides inside RANT, which is “so many words.” Insert REEVE into RANT to build RARE EVENT. The result feels odd at first but perfectly follows the theme’s nested-word logic: actor’s name tucked into another phrase.

  • The clue "Heart-pumping stuff?" hints at a clever wordplay. PLASMA is a component of blood, which the heart pumps throughout the body. The question mark signals a pun or indirect reasoning, highlighting PLASMA as essential "stuff" in the heart-pumping process.

  • "PAR" is a term from golf, representing the standard number of strokes an expert is expected to take to complete a hole or course. It aligns with "Goal to shoot for" as golfers aim to meet or beat par. It metaphorically fits as a target or benchmark in other contexts too.

  • The clue "___ Kong" is looking for a word that completes the name of a well-known place or entity. "Hong Kong" is a major city and special administrative region of China, making "HONG" the correct answer to pair with "Kong."

  • In a steeplechase, a horse race involving obstacles, the race is completed over multiple circuits of the track, commonly measured in laps. Thus, "Steeplechase unit" hints at a single lap, a standard measure of progress in track-based racing.

  • The clue "Bar from the bank?" uses wordplay. "Bar" here refers to a solid piece of metal, often gold or silver. "Bank" hints at where such bars are stored—precious metal reserves. An "INGOT" is a molded metal bar, making it the perfect answer.

  • The Indian state of Sikkim shares its northern and eastern border with Tibet (China), its southern border with West Bengal, and its western border with Nepal. As Nepal directly neighbors Sikkim, it fits the clue perfectly as the "borderer."

  • Both a passport and driver’s license are forms of ID. Here, ID is hidden in ACCENT (“in a manner of speaking”), producing ACCIDENT. The answer isn’t about the documents themselves but about inserting ID into another word.

  • The answer is SARTRE because Jean-Paul Sartre, a French existentialist philosopher, authored the work "Existentialism Is a Humanism" in 1945. This famous essay outlines his existential philosophy, emphasizing individual freedom and responsibility, making Sartre the clear connection to the clue.

  • The clue "First person?" uses a question mark to indicate wordplay. "First person" refers to the grammatical perspective where someone speaks about themselves (e.g., "I," "me"). The answer "SELF" reflects this perspective, as it directly relates to one's own identity or the "first person."

  • The clue "Spread some dirt" is a playful, metaphorical phrase. To "spread dirt" informally means sharing secrets or rumors about others, often in a negative or juicy context. This aligns perfectly with the answer "GOSSIP," which refers to talking about others, typically involving personal or scandalous details.

  • The Gershwin brothers were George and Ira Gershwin, famous collaborators in music and lyric writing. George composed melodies while Ira wrote lyrics for iconic songs and musicals like Porgy and Bess. The clue refers to Ira Gershwin, making "IRA" the correct answer.

  • The answer "TRANSAM" refers to the Pontiac Trans Am, a classic muscle car. Its name evokes a U.S. road trip as it suggests the "Trans-American" experience, symbolizing cross-country travel. The car's legacy in American car culture reinforces the connection to freedom and road trips.

  • Jet refers to action star Jet Li. His surname, LI, goes “in a nutshell” — inside PECAN. That forms PELICAN, a bird. The clue disguises its intent, but the theme’s pattern holds: a hidden name embedded in another word.

  • The clue is in quotes, signaling a common spoken phrase. "Don't worry about the check" refers to someone offering to pay the bill. The phrase "It's on me" is a casual way of saying, "I’ll cover the cost," making ITSONME the perfect solution.

  • The clue "Close contemporary" points to someone of the same age, as "close" suggests similarity, and "contemporary" refers to someone from the same time. AGEMATE means a peer or individual of the same age, fitting the description perfectly.

  • In chess notation, O-O represents kingside castling, and O-O-O represents queenside castling. Both are special moves where the king and rook move simultaneously to protect the king and activate the rook. These moves are collectively known as "castling," hence the solution "CASTLES."

  • The clue "Like some shoes at a cobbler's" indicates what happens to shoes that are repaired by a cobbler. Cobblers often replace the soles of worn-out shoes, effectively re-soling them. Therefore, "RESOLED" aptly describes the condition of such shoes after repair.

Down

  • The clue "Takes turns" refers to an action involving rotation or movement in a circular or sequential manner. The word "ROTATES" perfectly fits, as it means turning around a central axis or alternately taking turns. The verb aligns directly with the clue's phrasing to describe taking turns physically or sequentially.

  • The clue uses wordplay. "One might say" hints at a pun or phrase. A STORE AD typically promotes "Big savings all week!" The pronunciation of "STORE AD" aligns with how someone might say it aloud, making STOREAD the clever answer.

  • The answer "SHOFARS" fits because shofars are traditional ram's horns blown as a ritual instrument in Jewish ceremonies, particularly during Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. This clue directly references "horns" and their significance in this religious context.

  • The clue "Like some nouns: Abbr." refers to how certain nouns denote gender. The abbreviation "FEM" stands for "feminine," which is a grammatical gender classification used in many languages, such as French or Spanish, for certain nouns. This matches the clue's requirement.

  • The answer "ELUDES" fits the clue "Gets away from" because "elude" means to evade or escape, often in a skillful or clever way. It directly aligns with the idea of avoiding or getting away from something or someone.

  • The answer "ELCID" refers to the legendary medieval Spanish knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, who was famously known as "El Cid." "Cid" derives from the Arabic word "sayyid," meaning "lord" or "master," reflecting his prominence in both Spanish and Moorish cultures of the time.

  • The clue "Mideast capital" refers to the capital city of a Middle Eastern country. DOHA is the capital of Qatar, a nation in the Middle East located on the Arabian Peninsula. This makes DOHA the accurate and straightforward answer to the clue.

  • Gideon is the answer because, in the Bible (Judges 6-8), he was a significant underdog who led a small Israelite army of 300 men to victory against the vastly larger Midianite forces. With faith and strategy, Gideon achieved a miraculous military triumph, fitting the description of a "victorious military underdog."

  • The answer "OVERUNDER" refers to a type of sports bet predicting whether the total points scored by both teams in a game will be over or under a specified number set by oddsmakers. This directly explains "Sports bet based on total points scored" in the clue.

  • In Greek mythology, Eos is the goddess of the dawn and the sister of Helios, the sun god. Both are children of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, making Eos the correct answer for "Sister of Helios."

  • The answer "STILE" refers to a step or set of steps allowing passage over a fence or wall, commonly used in rural areas. It represents a "barrier to entry" that can be crossed, tying into the clue's wordplay indicated by "perhaps," suggesting a figurative or literal interpretation.

  • The clue "Chewed out" metaphorically means scolded or reprimanded harshly. The term "BERATED" perfectly fits, as it describes the act of criticizing someone angrily or intensely, akin to being "chewed out." This matching of meaning makes BERATED the correct solution.

  • The answer "INERTIA" fits "Slothfulness" because it refers to a resistance to movement or change, paralleling the laziness or lack of effort associated with slothfulness. In physics, inertia describes an object's tendency to remain unchanged, which metaphorically aligns with inactivity or apathy in behavior.

  • The clue "Fortuitous gift" points to something unexpectedly beneficial or lucky. "Godsend" perfectly fits this definition, as it refers to a valuable gift or help that seems divinely sent, often arriving at just the right time. The word suggests gratitude and serendipity, aligning with "fortuitous gift."

  • The clue "Holdings of winnings" hints at a container or accumulation of something gained, often through competition or betting. "PRIZE POTS" fits because "prize" refers to winnings, and "pots" are often used to describe accumulated pools of money or rewards in contests or games.

  • In sheet music, "curved lines" often refer to SLURS. These are curved markings that connect notes, indicating they should be played smoothly and in a connected manner, without separation. It reflects the intended phrasing or articulation for musicians. Thus, "SLURS" perfectly fits the clue.

  • LYON is the third-largest city in France by population, following Paris and Marseille. Known for its historical significance and vibrant culture, LYON is a major urban hub. The clue directly names the ranking of cities in France, making LYON the logical and correct answer.

  • In graphic design, "HUE" refers to a color or shade. Each hue is represented by a unique six-character hexadecimal (hex) code used in digital design to specify colors precisely. The clue hints at this with "unique six-character code," pointing directly to the concept of hue in design terminology.

  • The answer is CRANEGAME because it is a classic arcade machine operated with a joystick, allowing players to maneuver a claw to grab prizes. The clue hints at an arcade staple, and the joystick reference specifically aligns with the mechanical operation of a crane.

  • The clue "Multiple-choice catchall" refers to the option often provided in multiple-choice questions that doesn't fit into any other specific category. This is commonly labeled as "OTHER," serving as a general or miscellaneous choice for anything not explicitly listed. Thus, OTHER is the correct answer.

  • The clue "Inside of" suggests being surrounded or in the middle of something. The word "AMID" directly means in the middle of or surrounded by, making it the perfect fit. It captures the spatial sense of being "inside of" something.

  • The answer "VAT" fits because a vat is a large tank or container typically used for holding liquids, including chemicals in industrial or manufacturing settings. It aligns perfectly with the clue's description of a "Large chemical container," making it the apt solution.

  • The clue "Credit cards, so to speak" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. Credit cards are often informally referred to as "plastic" because they are typically made of plastic material. Thus, "PLASTIC" is the metaphorical answer capturing this common association.

  • LACERTA is the solution because it is the name of a small constellation in the northern sky, whose Latin name translates directly to "lizard." This matches the clue precisely, as it asks for a constellation with a Latin name meaning "lizard."

  • U.S. History and Calculus BC are examples of "AP classes," which are Advanced Placement courses offered in high schools. These classes allow students to study college-level material and potentially earn college credit by taking AP exams. The abbreviation "APCLASS" perfectly fits this description.

  • The clue "Kind of illusion" refers to a visual phenomenon where the eyes perceive something inaccurately or misleadingly. An "optical illusion" fits this description, as it tricks the brain through visual perception. "Optical" specifically relates to sight, making it the precise answer here.

  • The clue "Do some storytelling" directly relates to the act of narrating a story. To "narrate" means to recount or describe events, which aligns perfectly with the idea of storytelling. The verb form matches the clue's phrasing, making NARRATE the correct answer.

  • The word GLEANED means to gather or extract information bit by bit, aligning with the clue "Ascertained bit by bit." The gradual collection or learning matches the meaning of gleaning, making it an exact fit for the clue's phrasing.

  • The clue "Garden guardians" plays on the popular decorative garden ornaments, GNOMES. These iconic, whimsical figures often "guard" gardens, typically depicted standing watch while adding charm. They fit the playful nature of the clue's wording.

  • The clue asks for Italy's third-largest city by population, following Rome and Milan. Naples (Napoli in Italian) holds this position, with its significant population and status as a major cultural, historical, and economic hub in southern Italy, making it the correct answer.

  • The phrase "Words before a contingency plan" suggests an introduction to an alternative plan if the primary plan fails. "IF NOT" precedes hypothetical alternatives, making it common phrasing before explaining a contingency ("If not Plan A, then Plan B"). Thus, IFNOT fits.

  • The answer "SIEGE" perfectly fits the clue "Invader's tactic" because a siege is a military strategy where invaders surround and isolate a target (like a city or fortress) to force surrender. It's a common tactic historically associated with invasions, aligning directly with the clue.

  • The answer "SPAR" is fitting because it refers to light or friendly fighting, often in a practice or playful context, such as in martial arts or boxing. "Play-fight" perfectly describes this practice or playful exchange, aligning with the meaning of "SPAR."

  • The answer is SNL, short for Saturday Night Live, a popular sketch comedy show known for its rotating guest hosts. In 1982, Drew Barrymore, then just 7 years old, became the youngest individual to ever host the show, making this a historical distinction closely tied to the clue.

  • The clue "If u ask me …" is in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "IMO" stands for "In My Opinion," which is a common internet/text abbreviation used to express personal thoughts or beliefs. It matches the informal tone of the clue ("u" instead of "you").

Today’s Game Difficulty

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Solving today’s NYT The Crossword Puzzle and stuck on the 9-letter answer to the Arcade staple with a joystick clue? Don’t worry—Lady Puzzle Pro is here to help! Whether you need the answer right away, want to reveal it letter by letter, or just can’t figure out a tricky clue, we’ve got you. You can even solve the whole Crossword puzzle of the day right here!

Arcade staple with a joystick Answer Explained

The answer is CRANEGAME.

This is one of those arcade attractions everyone has seen: the big glass box with stuffed animals inside, and a claw (or crane) controlled by a joystick. The clue defines it simply as an “arcade staple,” with “joystick” helping to guide us toward something interactive. CRANE GAME is the standard name, though people also say “claw machine.” In crossword land, the formal version fits the grid. The wordplay isn’t cryptic here, but the phrasing makes it slightly less obvious until you picture the physical setup. Once you imagine the joystick moving the claw, the answer clicks into place.

Now that you've cracked the 31D Arcade staple with a joystick clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s Mini Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry—we've got you covered. Explore more NYT Crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the NYT The Mini, Connections, or Strands.

Today’s NYT The Crossword Highlights

Adam Wagner’s Thursday puzzle is a playful exercise in misdirection. At first, many theme entries seem flat-out wrong—why would TOO MUCH be a “Meditation chant”? But the trick is to look “inside” other words: OM hidden in TOUCH gives TOO MUCH. The theme repeats with REEVE inside RANT, LET inside ROUTE, ID inside ACCENT, and so on. This kind of wordplay is classic Thursday territory: not a rebus, but a layer of cryptic thinking that rewards flexible reading. The grid sparkles with fun fill like CRANEGAME, GODSEND, and TRANSAM, making the whole solve feel clever and lively.

Here’s what caught our attention today:

NYT Crossword - All You Need To Know

You can enjoy the New York Times Crossword puzzle in various formats:

  • Online: Visit nytimes.com/games.
  • Mobile Apps: Available in The New York Times Games app (iOS and Android) and the Play tab of the New York Times News app.
  • Print: Access the daily Crossword by subscribing to Home Delivery or purchasing a copy of The New York Times newspaper at your local newsstand.

NYT Crossword Puzzle Availability

Online and All Access Subscribers: Daily puzzles are available the evening before their print release.

  • Weekday and Saturday Puzzles: Available at 10 p.m. EST the previous day.
  • Sunday Puzzles: Available at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.

Notifications: Enable push notifications in the Games app settings to receive alerts when new puzzles are available.

How To Play

Fill the white squares with letters to form words or phrases that cross each other by solving clues in the Across and Down columns. The puzzles increase in difficulty from Monday to Saturday, with the Sunday puzzle being similar in difficulty to Wednesday or Thursday but larger in size.

Completion and Feedback

Successful Completion: A congratulatory message and music play when the puzzle is correctly solved. If no message appears, there might be an error in the filled squares.

Stars for Completion

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Keyboard Shortcuts

For computer users, the following shortcuts can enhance gameplay:

  • Arrow Keys: Navigate in the puzzle.
  • Spacebar: Clear the current square and advance, toggle between Across and Down.
  • Backspace/Delete: Remove a letter or word.
  • Tab: Jump to the next clue.
  • Shift + Tab: Jump to the previous clue.
  • Escape: Enter Rebus mode.

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Modes

Alternate between black (pen) and gray (pencil) letters.

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  • Rebus Elements: Enter letters, numbers, or symbols in a single square as part of the puzzle’s challenge or hint.

NYT Crossword Help

The New York Times provides various resources to aid in solving puzzles and improving solving skills.

In-Game Help

  • Information Icon ("i"): Flashing icon indicates available puzzle hint.
  • Lifesaver Icon: Offers options to check or reveal a square, an answer, or the entire puzzle.
  • Clear: Resets the entire puzzle.
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  • Note: Using Reveal or Check resets the Crossword Streak.

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Besides this page, meant to help you unblock or finish a puzzle we published a comprehensive guide on how to read the NYT Crossword Clues, which includes mini hints to assist you with both the NYT crosswords and the NYT Mini puzzle solving.

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