Our Top 10 Picks from 10 Years of the NYT Mini

When people talk about the New York Times Crossword, it’s usually the big daily puzzle that gets the spotlight. For instance, many crossword enthusiasts can instantly recall legendary puzzles like the one from November 5, 1996, crafted by Jeremiah Farrell. This puzzle has become iconic because of its clever trick: the answer at 39 Across could be filled in with either "CLINTON" or "BOBDOLE," and the crossing Down clues worked for both! Even Will Shortz, the legendary NYT Crossword editor, has referred to this as his favorite crossword ever. You can read more about this puzzle on XWord Info, the most comprehensive resource on NYT Crosswords. They do a fantastic job archiving and celebrating these incredible puzzles, and they've been a huge inspiration for us in doing the same for the Mini.

While legendary status for the big crossword is well-known, the NYT Mini hasn’t always received the same attention—until now. Last month, the Mini celebrated its 10-year anniversary, sparking conversations across video and audio platforms about its standout moments. As big fans of the NYT Mini puzzle, we couldn’t resist the urge to compile our own list of legendary puzzles—both for fun and to preserve these gems for future reference.

In making our picks, we drew heavily on comments and media appearances from Joel Fagliano, the editor behind the Mini since its inception. Fagliano was hired in 2014 to develop the Mini, and it’s clear he’s done an incredible job. Several of the puzzles we’ve selected reflect ones he has highlighted on social media or in interviews.

With over 3,700 Mini puzzles released so far, most have fascinating backstories that often remain known only to their creators, especially since these puzzles don’t typically follow a theme. But the 10 we’ve chosen? They’re the ones that truly stand out.

We’ve decided to present our picks in chronological order, highlighting how the Mini has evolved over the past decade. From its early days to more recent gems, these puzzles showcase the creativity, cleverness, and occasional surprises that have made the NYT Mini a favorite among solvers. Let’s dive in!

#1 August 21, 2014: The Very First Mini

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2014/08/21

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro:

https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2014-08-21

Our first pick takes us back to where it all began—August 21, 2014, the debut of the NYT Mini. This puzzle might not be the easiest to solve today, but that could just be us. It’s a mix of pop culture and wordplay that makes you think. A fittingly bold start for the Minis!

#2 August 19, 2015: Joel’s Clever Clapback

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2015/08/19

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro:
https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2015-08-19

Our second pick comes with a bit of sass! In August 2015, Slate published an article criticizing the Mini, calling it an “Utter Disgrace to the NYT Crossword Brand” and "the People magazine crossword puzzle of the New York Times." Rather than fire back with words, Joel Fagliano let his puzzle do the talking. His witty response? A Mini with answers spelling out “AWFUL,” “PIECE,” and “SLATE.” It was a brilliant and playful way to defend the Mini's place in the crossword world—proving that while the puzzles may be small, they can still pack a punch!

#3 July 18, 2016: A Puzzle Proposal

For our third pick, we’re diving into a heartwarming story allegedly from July 2016. When a player reached out to Joel Fagliano with a special request to create a puzzle for a promposal to a girl named Molly, Joel rose to the occasion. He cleverly wove the names "MOLLY" and "PROM" into the answers, creating a delightful surprise that only the couple and Joel knew about. While we couldn't locate this particular puzzle in the archive, we wanted to include it in our list for its unforgettable charm. It’s a perfect example of how the Mini can create meaningful moments beyond just solving!

#4 June 29, 2018: Joel's Imaginary "L" That Left Us Spellbound

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2018/06/29

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro:
https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2018-06-29

For our fourth pick, we spotlight a truly unique Mini puzzle from June 29, 2018, crafted by none other than Joel Fagliano. This puzzle used a clever, visual twist: an imaginary "L" formed by black squares in the grid, spanning three Across answers and one Down answer. The hidden "L" became the first letter in the Across answers for "LAMAR" (Pulitzer-winning rapper Kendrick ___), "LIBYA" (Egypt’s neighbor to the west), and "LISP" (speech impediment for Daffy Duck). It also served as the final letter in the Down answer "EMAIL" (something in the Sent folder). Joel’s creative design pushed the boundaries of what a Mini puzzle can do, adding an extra layer of fun and challenge for solvers!

#5 April 22, 2022: A Tree-mendous Earth Day Puzzle

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2022/04/22

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro (unfortunately, we couldn't feature the tree):
https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2022-04-22

For our fifth pick, we’re celebrating Earth Day 2022 with a truly unique puzzle that went beyond the typical grid layout. This clever Mini featured a delightful tree graphic in place of the usual black boxes, inviting solvers to immerse themselves in the theme. The clues were not just standard fare; they cleverly referenced the illustration, creating a playful interaction between the puzzle and the solver.

#6 October 10, 2022: A Sleepy Celebration of New Parenthood

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2022/10/10

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro:
https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2022-10-10

Our sixth pick is a heartfelt tribute to new parenthood, debuting on October 10, 2022, shortly after Joel Fagliano welcomed his son, Jonah, into the world. This delightful Mini embraced the joys and challenges of parenting, with clues that perfectly captured the experience of being a new mom or dad. Among the clever answers were “JONAH,” of course, along with “EXTRA,” “TIRED,” and “NOD”—a subtle nod to those sleepy moments that come with caring for a newborn.

#7 April 15, 2024: Wyna Liu’s Debut Mini Puzzle

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2024/04/15

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro:
https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2024-04-15

For our seventh pick, we celebrate the debut Mini puzzle crafted by Wyna Liu, the editor of Connections. In April 2024, Joel Fagliano took on additional responsibilities for the main daily puzzle, following Will Shortz’s unavailability. With the NYT Games expanding rapidly, the team began rotating weekly to create the Minis. In her inaugural puzzle on April 15, Wyna showcased her innovative spirit by incorporating an emoji clue for the answer “SHRUG.” This creative choice followed the recent success of an emoji-based Connections puzzle released just two weeks earlier, on April 1st, which became the most-played Connections puzzle to that date. For further details on past Connections puzzles, visit our complete archive. This debut not only marked a new chapter for the Mini but also highlighted the synergies within the NYT Games, proving that innovation can thrive in every corner of the crossword world!

#8 April 22, 2024: Tracy Bennett’s Mini Debut

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2024/04/22

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro:
https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2024-04-22

For our eighth pick, we recognize the debut Mini by Tracy Bennett, which she created on April 22, 2024. Tracy, the editor of Wordle, made a splash with her first Mini by cleverly incorporating a synergy with Wordle in one of her clues: “The very first Wordle word (6/19/2021).” This not only paid homage to the beginning of the Wordle phenomenon but also invited players to connect their experiences across both games. By intertwining elements from past Wordle puzzles, she introduced a fresh perspective to the Mini, showcasing her innovative approach and commitment to making the NYT Games even more interconnected.

#9 May 3, 2024: A Unique Alphabetical Puzzle

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2024/05/03

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro:
https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2024-05-03

For our ninth pick, we venture into a truly unique puzzle from May 3, 2024, showcasing an inventive approach to wordplay. This Mini featured answers that cleverly played with the alphabet: the three columns of Down clues all led to “AXIOM,” creating an engaging symmetry through three smart clues: “What goes up must come down,” e.g., “x + y = y + x,” e.g., and “This is a given.” Meanwhile, the Across answers cleverly employed triple letter combinations—“AAA,” “XXX,” “III,” “OOO,” and “MMM”—to enhance the puzzle's innovative design.

#10 August 21, 2024: Celebrating 10 Years with Joel Fagliano

See it on NYT (requires subscription):
https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini/2024/08/21

See it on Lady Puzzle Pro:
https://ladypuzzle.pro/nyt-mini-answers-hints/2024-08-21

For our tenth pick, we couldn’t leave out the special 10-year anniversary puzzle, crafted by none other than Joel Fagliano himself. Released on August 21, 2024, this Mini was all about celebrating the big milestone. Joel cleverly played on the theme of “ten,” weaving it into many of the clues and answers. From "Top ten, e.g." to "A decagon has ten" and "Ten in an Olympic swimming pool," the puzzle was a fun and fitting tribute to a decade of Mini magic. Joel’s anniversary Mini perfectly captured both the charm and creativity that have made the Mini such a beloved part of the NYT Games universe over the last 10 years.

A Nod to Politics: Minis and Elections in 2024

While our list highlights ten legendary Minis, we couldn't ignore the relevance of current events, especially in the context of elections. The iconic NYT puzzle from November 5, 1996, set a high bar for political puzzles, with its dual-answer trick for “CLINTON” and “BOBDOLE.” It would be fitting to feature a Mini puzzle that lives up to that mastery, but we haven’t quite found one that reaches those legendary heights—yet.

However, we’ve seen a few noteworthy puzzles that touch on today’s political climate. One example is Wyna Liu’s September 7, 2024, Mini, which included the clue “The dad in the ‘That’s my dad!’ moment from the 2024 Democratic National Convention,” leading to the answer “TIM WALZ.” Another example is the puzzle on September 29, 2024, that humorously played on the pronunciation of “Walz,” crafting clues around construction “walls” rather than the dance. These puzzles capture moments from the ongoing elections, but they don’t quite meet the criteria for legendary status—though they’re certainly clever nods to the times.

Closing Thoughts

For us, these ten legendary NYT Mini puzzles exemplify the creativity, wit, and charm that make this daily game a beloved favorite among puzzle enthusiasts. From clever wordplay to heartfelt moments, each puzzle showcases the Mini's remarkable ability to entertain and engage players from all walks of life.

As we reflect on these iconic puzzles, we invite you to join the conversation! Do you agree with our selections, or do you have your own favorites that deserve a place on this list? Perhaps there are memorable moments or clever clues we overlooked. Check out our interactive archive of all past NYT Mini puzzles, where you can explore old puzzles and reveal them letter by letter, clue by clue, or all at once. Share your thoughts and help us enhance this collection!