If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A rock.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

FLINT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A famous R&B singer.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

USHER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Done to fruits and vegetables.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

PRUNE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Typically sat on.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CHAIR

Final Hurdle hint

To crouch down.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

KNEEL

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 25 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 25 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this purple space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this orange space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 25 Pips

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 24 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 24 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this orange space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this green space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 24 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (21): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Alcohol.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

ETHYL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

On top.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ABOVE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Dangerous.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

RISKY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To contradict.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BELIE

Final Hurdle hint

A horseback competition.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

JOUST

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A talent.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

KNACK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A book.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

NOVEL

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A small brass instrument.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

BUGLE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Typically found atop a church tower.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SPIRE

Final Hurdle hint

To be inundated.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

DROWN

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: The LG 34-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor has dropped to $699.99 at Amazon. That's nearly half off its usual $1,299.99 list price.

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Credit: LG

LG 34-inch Ultragear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor

$699.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $600

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The LG UltraGear range of gaming monitors have been seeing some strong price cuts on Amazon, but the latest offer is perfect if you’ve been hunting for an OLED version at a steal. As of Jan. 23, the LG 34-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor has dropped to $699.99 on Amazon, slashing nearly half off its original $1,299.99 list price.

That’s a serious discount for a monitor that’s firmly aimed at high-end PC gamers, with all the bells and whistles one would expect from a brand like LG. 

The 34-inch OLED panel sports a 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio with a dramatic 800R curve, wrapping your field of view in a way that flat screens can’t compete with — making it one of the best ways to improve your immersion when gaming. Resolution comes in at WQHD (3,440x1,440), which promises to strike a nice balance between visual sharpness and performance demands.

In terms of specs, speed is one of this monitor’s greatest strengths. You’re getting a blistering 240Hz refresh rate paired with an almost instantaneous 0.03ms response time, making it a great fit for competitive shooters like Fortnite and fast-paced action games like Hades II. Support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync also helps keep things smooth and tear-free, even when frame rates fluctuate.

What’s more, LG has leaned into the OLED advantage with DisplayHDR True Black 400, delivering deep blacks and punchy contrast that shine in darker scenes. Add HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort support, plus a fully adjustable stand, and you’ve got a monitor that works just as well for long gaming sessions as it does for everyday use when working or doing life admin.

As for other brands, you can also grab the 49-inch Samsung curved Odyssey G9 monitor for only $699.99. For more from LG, the 32-inch version of another monitor from the UltraGear range is now only $199.99.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026:

Across

Attach, as one plant to another

• The answer is Graft.

Email button with a backward-facing arrow

• The answer is Reply.

Make very excited

• The answer is Amp up.

Two-time Best Actor nominee Nick

• The answer is Nolte.

Total dork

• The answer is Dweeb.

Down

Word that can precede piano, total or staircase

• The answer is Grand.

Cut again, as a lawn

• The answer is Remow.

Company whose logo has a bite taken out of it

• The answer is Apple.

Champagne glass

• The answer is Flute.

Laid-back kind of personality

• The answer is Type B.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE OVER $400: As of Jan. 23, the Kamrui Pinova P2 Mini PC is on sale for $292.46 at Amazon. Get 10% off and use code 12600KAMRUI at the checkout.

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Credit: Kamrui

Kamrui Pinova P2 Mini PC

$292.46 at Amazon
$759.94 Save $467.48

 

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If you're in need of a new gaming setup, but your desk space won't allow it, this deal on the Kamrui Pinova P2 Mini PC is the answer. A small, compact unit, this model is the ideal pick for gamers with not much space to spare. And as of Jan. 23, it's on sale for a new record-low price. You can find it at Amazon right now for $292.46 by stacking the 10% off code and 12600KAMRUI at the checkout.

And despite its size, it's powerful. It's powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12600H processor, giving you up to 4.5GHz turbo performance. It comes with 16GB of dual-channel RAM and a 512GB SSD, with support for up to 4TB storage, so it's more than capable of handling multitasking and heavy gaming without lagging or slowing down.

The mini PC also supports triple 4K displays at 60Hz via HDMI, so you can extend your setup for a more immersive experience. It also includes WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Gigabit Ethernet for fast connectivity, and has multiple USB ports for connecting extra devices or headsets.

Get this mini PC deal from Amazon.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 23 Pips

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 23 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 23 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been on a tear lately. The French RPG, known for its gorgeous visuals, turn-based gameplay, and compelling narrative, swept the Game of the Year Awards, with a record eight wins and 12 nominations.

Now, Clair Obscur has set yet another record: It's surpassed Elden Ring as the most award-winning video game of all time.

There's no official body that tracks total wins in game awards, nor an official list of what counts toward the totals. (For instance, do you count Mashable's guide to the best video games of 2025? Spoiler alert: Clair Obscur only earned an honorable mention from our team.) However, fans have been closely tracking wins and losses at the ResetEra forum, and the evidence is clear: Clair Obscur now has more game of the year wins than any other game, topping previous record holders like Elden Ring.

In years past, Elden Ring collected 435 GOTY wins; The Last of Us Part II earned 326; and Baldur's Gate III got 288. When Wccftech released its list of the best games of the year this week, Clair Obscur surpassed Elden Ring's total with 436 wins and counting.

That's right — there are still plenty of game awards yet to be announced. Per our colleagues at IGN, Clair Obscur can still pick up even more awards at the BAFTAs, DICE, and GDC Awards.

Clair Obscur likely would have reached this record sooner had it not been for a controversial snub at the Indie Game Awards, which takes a hard line against the use of generative AI. French studio Sandfall Entertainment was accused of using generative AI to create background textures, such as posters that appeared on a street lamp, claims that Sandfall Interactive denied.

Considering that generative AI is now a standard tool used by the vast majority of computer programmers, it seems extremely unlikely that no AI was used in the development of other popular video games. However, the Indie Game Awards stripped Sandfall Interactive and Clair Obscur of their Game of the Year and Debut Game awards.

While some video game players have also taken a hard line against the use of generative AI in game development, it's not clear that the average gamer cares. For instance, Arc Raiders faced fierce criticism for its use of generative AI back in November, and yet by January, it had become a hugely successful best-seller.

Controversies aside, Clair Obscur seems poised to pick up even more GOTY wins in the months ahead, setting a new high bar for critically acclaimed video games.

TL;DR: The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Xbox gaming headset is currently on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's down from its usual $199.99 price.

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Credit: Razer

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

$99.99 at Razer
$199.99 Save $100.00

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Razer doesn’t often slash prices this aggressively, especially on its premium esports-focused gear, which makes this deal on its BlackShark V2 Pro headset stand out all the more. As of Jan. 22, the Xbox-compatible version of the wireless headset has dropped to $99.99 at Amazon, marking a 50% discount on a headset built for competitive play and marathon gaming sessions.

To clarify, this Xbox-compatible version of the BlackShark V2 Pro headset is still fully usable on other platforms — PS5, the new Nintendo Switch 2, gaming PCs, and even Macs. Compared to the PlayStation-licensed model, also on sale for $99.99 and usable on those systems, you’re essentially getting added Xbox compatibility at no extra cost.

Designed with esports in mind, the BlackShark V2 Pro features Razer’s TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers, which separate highs, mids, and lows for clearer positional audio. Whether you’re tracking footsteps in Call of Duty or getting lost in a story-heavy RPG like Baldur's Gate 3, the sound profile promises to stay punchy without overwhelming your ears. The detachable HyperClear Super Wideband mic is another highlight, capturing voice with broadcast-like clarity that makes comms sound crisp rather than compressed.

Comfort has been a big priority of Razer here, too. The closed-back, noise-isolating earcups use ultra-soft memory foam that molds to your head, making the headset easy to wear for hours at a time — even with glasses. 

On the wireless front, Razer’s HyperSpeed 2.4GHz connection should keep latency low, while Bluetooth support adds flexibility across devices. The battery life looks excellent, giving you up to 70 hours on a single charge (or up to 48 hours when used on Xbox).

If you’re also after a visual upgrade to your gaming setup as well, the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor is at its lowest-ever price on Amazon. For something more budget-friendly, the LG Ultragear curved gaming monitor is going for $199.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026:

Across

When doubled, a breed of dog

• The answer is Chow.

With 7-Across, Ben & Jerry's flavor named for a rock legend

• The answer is Cherry.

See 5-Across

• The answer is Garcia.

"Whatever you decide is good with me"

• The answer is I'm easy.

Whispered sound from a test cheater

• The answer is Psst.

Down

Tournament victor

• The answer is Champ.

"___ the scoop ..."

• The answer is Here's.

Killer whales

• The answer is Orcas.

Place for a bracelet

• The answer is Wrist.

Tech used for many of the ping-pong scenes in "Marty Supreme"

• The answer is CGI.

"Woo-hoo!"

• The answer is Yay.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Ubisoft has cancelled the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, as well as axed five other games. Announced on Wednesday, the cancellations come as part of a major company restructure aimed at improving its growth and its finances — with some cost cutting having already been done via layoffs.

The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake was initially scheduled for launch on Jan. 21, 2021 when it was first announced in 2020. That date came and went, with Ubisoft announcing multiple delays before moving the game's development from its Mumbai and Pune studios to Montreal in 2022. Unfortunately, the delays continued even after the change in studio, and by 2024 Ubisoft was claiming Sands of Time would arrive in 2026.

Now there will be no release at all, with Ubisoft shutting down production on the game six years after it was announced. 

"While the project had real potential, we weren't able to reach the level of quality you deserve, and continuing would have required more time and investment than we could responsibly commit," read a statement posted to the official Prince of Persia X account on Wednesday. 

"Prince of Persia as a universe and a legacy continues to matter deeply to us, and this decision does not mean we're stepping away from the franchise."

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Fans have reacted with disappointment, taking to social media to vent their frustration. Wednesday's announcement left many feeling bitter, as they'd been anticipating the Sands of Time remake since its announcement half a decade ago.

Ubisoft announces massive restructure

The Sands of Time's cancellation comes as part of a significant structural shakeup at Ubisoft. Revising its three-year roadmap, the company is refocusing on open-world and live service games, and plans to make "accelerated investments behind player-facing Generative AI."

A pivotal part of Ubisoft's restructure is its new operating model, which is focused on five specialised "Creative Houses." These new units within the company will each focus on a different game genre, and take care of a title's production and publication themselves. Ubisoft is also establishing two new internal organisations, the Creative Network and Core Services, which will provide production support to all five Houses.

"Each [Creative House] is built around a clear genre and brand focus, with full responsibility and financial ownership, led by dedicated leadership teams," said Ubisoft founder and CEO Yves Guillemot. "It is a radical move, relying on a more decentralised creative organisation with faster decision making and best-in-class cross functional core services supporting and serving each Creative House."

CH1 aka Vantage Studios will be dedicated to scaling Ubisoft's biggest franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. CH2 will focus on competitive and cooperative shooters such as The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. CH3 will be in charge of live games like For Honor, The Crew, and Skull & Bones. CH4 will take care of games that are narrative-driven or take place in fantasy worlds, including Anno, Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil, and yes, Prince of Persia. Finally, CH5 will work on casual and family-friendly brands Just Dance, Uno, and Hasbro.

However, not all of Ubisoft's games will get to move into one of these Houses as Sands of Time and five other titles have been cancelled — a "strategic decision to refocus its portfolio" after reviewing its content pipeline. Four of the cancelled titles had not yet been announced, three of which had been brand new IPs. According to Ubisoft, the six games were axed because they did not "meet the new enhanced quality as well as more selective portfolio prioritisation criteria." 

Guillemot stated that though Ubisoft's restructure will have a significant impact on its finances over the next two years, he expects it to come out the other side stronger. Unfortunately, not all its employees will be around to appreciate it. The company has conducted ongoing layoffs in an effort to reduce costs over the last few years, shrinking its headcount from almost 21,000 in 2022 to 17,097 by its earnings call last November.

Further layoffs are expected as Ubisoft continues its cost-cutting program in earnest, with its studios in Halifax and Stockholm having already closed. The company laid off a further 29 workers after restructuring its Abu Dhabi studio earlier this month, and confirmed that it expects to cut 55 jobs from its Massive and Stockholm studios.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A sealant

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CAULK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A thin, folded dessert.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CREPE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

May.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

WOULD

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A popular fall/winter drink.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CIDER

Final Hurdle hint

Likeness.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

GUISE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 22 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 22 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 22 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 4-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (16): Everything in this space must be greater than 16. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: The Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor has dropped to $699.99 at Amazon, hitting its lowest-ever price. That’s $300 off its $999.99 list price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 Curved Gaming Monitor

$699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300

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Samsung has been going strong with deals lately, but the latest gaming monitor offer might be the best of the bunch.

As of Jan. 21, the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 (G91F) is down to $699.99 at Amazon, marking a full $300 off its $999.99 list price and its lowest price to date — confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel. For anyone dreaming of an ultra-wide, wraparound setup without juggling multiple screens, this monitor’s truly worth considering.

At a massive 49 inches, the Odyssey G9 is built to dominate your desk; a 32:9 curved display of that size is essentially the equivalent of two 27-inch monitors fused together, minus the annoying bezel gap. With a Dual QHD resolution (5120 x 1440) and an aggressive 1,000R curve, it fills your peripheral vision and pulls you straight into the action, whether you’re racing in Forza Horizon 5, flying in Microsoft Flight Simulator, or exploring open worlds like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Performance doesn’t take a back seat, either. You’re getting a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, helping fast-paced games like Battlefield 6 stay smooth and tear-free. Add VESA DisplayHDR 600, and darker scenes gain extra contrast without washing out highlights — a noticeable upgrade for cinematic titles and late-night gaming sessions.

Beyond gaming, this monitor shines as a productivity powerhouse for work, too. Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture modes make multitasking easy, while the ergonomic stand lets you fine-tune height and tilt for marathon sessions.

If you’re shopping around across different brands, LG’s 32-inch UltraGear QHD monitor is still $100 off. As for more from Samsung, the OLED version of the G9 monitor is also on sale at almost $400 off.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026:

Across

The slightest amount

• The answer is A bit.

With 2-Down, intentionally inflammatory posts

• The answer is Rage.

Dirty stuff

• The answer is Filth.

Five Below or 7-Eleven

• The answer is Store.

Something used to steer a rowboat

• The answer is Oar.

Down

Sounds from a doggy daycare

• The answer is Arfs.

See 5-Across

• The answer is Bait.

See 5-Across

• The answer is Igloo.

Small, colorful fish that's popular in aquariums

• The answer is Tetra.

2013 film in which Joaquin Phoenix's character falls in love with an A.I. operating system

• The answer is Her.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A front porch.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

STOOP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A small parcel.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GRAIN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A pitted appetizer.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

OLIVE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Brighter.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BLUER

Final Hurdle hint

An inkling.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

HUNCH

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 21 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (7): Everything in this space must be greater than 7. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 21 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 21 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this red space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, played vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

SAVE $1,500: The 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark 4K curved gaming monitor is on sale at Woot for $1,199.99, down from the list price of $2,699.99. That's a 56% discount and better sale price than we've ever seen at Amazon.

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Credit: Samsung

55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark 4K curved gaming monitor

$1,199.99 at Woot
$2,699.99 Save $1,500.00

 

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Anyone who spends a decent amount of time gaming understands the importance of a solid gaming monitor. Some models can actually be the death of you, both in terms of frustration from a poor display and lag that causes your character to die in-game. If you're in the mood for a major "treat yourself" moment and you want a first-class gaming monitor, check out this limited-time deal.

As of Jan. 20, the 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark 4K curved gaming monitor is on sale for $1,199.99 at Woot, marked down from the list price of $2,699.99. That's a major 56% discount that takes $1,500 off the normal price. This sale beats the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon. Prime members get free shipping at Woot.

If you're looking for a mega sized gaming monitor with premium stats, this is your deal. Samsung consistently makes some of the best curved gaming monitors and today's deal on the giant 55-inch Ark 2nd Gen is a steal. The 1000R curve will bring a new experience to every game you play or show you stream on the monitor. With this size, you might not even want to use your TV anymore.

Of course, you're in line for ideal gaming stats like a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. Adjust into cockpit mode to take off on epic gaming adventures this winter. Samsung also equipped this monitor with four corner speakers and two central woofers.

Keep in mind Woot deals tend to sell out in an instant, so hop on this one if you're in the mood for a major treat. Amazon is selling this model at its full price of $2,699.99, so snagging this Woot deal is the way to go. Plus, you'll get free shipping if you sign into your Amazon Prime account at Woot.

TL;DR: Sonic Superstars is now just $17.10 on PS5 at Amazon. That's over $10 off for a limited time.

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Credit: SEGA

'Sonic Superstars' (PS5)

$17.10 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $12.89

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It’s a great time for Sonic fans right now. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was a massive hit and Sonic X Shadow Generations is making huge waves in the gaming space. Now, another recent game is on sale.

As of Jan. 20, the PS5 version of Sonic Superstars is on sale at Amazon for just $17.10, marking a steep discount from its usual $29.99 price tag. That’s a 43% price drop, making this one of the best prices we’ve seen since its launch in late 2023. 

Sonic Superstars essentially puts a fresh spin on classic 2D Sonic gameplay while keeping the iconic high-speed platforming. You’ll race through the colorful Northstar Islands as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, or Amy, each with their own unique abilities that open up new paths and secrets across the game’s zones. The Chaos Emerald powers add a fun twist as well, since they’ll let you do things like swim up waterfalls or multiply on-screen for chaotic fun.

Compared to the older-gen ports on PS4 and the original Nintendo Switch, the PS5 version also shines thanks to smooth performance and vibrant visuals that help Sonic gameplay feel modern without losing the series’ old-school Sega charm.

It’s an altogether great pick for longtime fans, but it’s also approachable for younger players or newcomers thanks to its polished design and optional local co-op for up to four players.

If you’re looking to add more to your PS5 backlog, GOTY contender Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is also on sale at 33% off. The Silent Hill 2 remake is also at its lowest-ever price on PS5.

TL;DR: The 32-inch curved LG UltraGear gaming monitor is now only $199.99 at Amazon. That's $100 off its list price.

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Credit: LG

LG Ultragear 32-inch Curved Gaming Monitor

$199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100

Get Deal

Upgrading your gaming setup often means buying cheap from lesser-known brands or going into debt trying to stock up on tech from the the big names. That's usually that case, but LG is offering the best of both worlds for a limited time. As of Jan. 20, LG’s 32-inch curved UltraGear gaming monitor is now available to buy for only $199.99. That's $100 off its list price at Amazon.

LG’s UltraGear range is all about high-speed desktop performance you’d expect from a gaming-ready monitor at a decent price. The 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms GtG provides buttery smooth visuals and competitive-level response times when playing intense action titles like ARC Raiders, Fortnite, and Destiny 2.

What’s more, the gamer-centric design helps this LG UltraGear monitor create a more immersive experience. The dramatic 1,000R curve and 2560x1440 QHD resolution makes for jaw-dropping visuals — making any high-fidelity single-play adventure like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 all the more impressive. 

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can also save over $300 on the ASUS ROG Swift gaming monitor on Amazon right now. For those who’d like to stick with Samsung, the slightly larger Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor has dropped to under $300 as well. 

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026:

Across

Style of cuisine with bulgogi beef, for short

• The answer is KBBQ.

How bedtime stories are read

• The answer is Aloud.

Huge craze

• The answer is Mania.

Figure painted by Michelangelo, which can be found hidden in the name "Michelangelo"

• The answer is Angel.

Home for doves or pigeons

• The answer is Cote.

Down

___ Sutra

• The answer is Kama.

Sauvignon ___ (wine variety)

• The answer is Blanc.

Large drum played by hand

• The answer is Bongo.

"Pipe down!"

• The answer is Quiet.

Chip's chipmunk pal

• The answer is Dale.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

After two.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

THREE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To submit.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

APPLY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Worn out.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

SPENT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To spin quickly.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

WHIRL

Final Hurdle hint

A mythical Greek creature.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

HARPY

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 20 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 20 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this green space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this orange space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, laced horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 20 Pips

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-2, laced horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Bungie’s long-gestating follow-up project is finally getting a release date. Marathon is set to launch on March 5 for $39.99 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

The game marks Bungie’s first brand-new release since Destiny 2 in 2017, and a modern reimagining of its cult-classic 1990s IP. Set in the year 2850, Marathon casts players as Runners operating in three-person squads, dropping into hostile zones to scavenge loot while fending off both AI enemies and rival players. Unlike 1994’s Marathon, which was a linear, story-driven FPS, this version is firmly positioned as a PvPvE extraction shooter.

Originally slated for a September release, Marathon was delayed last June following mixed-to-negative feedback from its alpha playtest. Players cited a cluttered UI, unexciting gunplay, and a pace that felt sluggish compared to other extraction shooters already on the market. The delay was framed as a chance for Bungie to rework core systems rather than rush the game out the door.

Around the same time, Marathon also ran into a plagiarism controversy after an independent artist discovered that in-game art assets, including decals and signage, closely matched their work. Bungie later confirmed the issue, and by December, the artist indicated on social media that she, the studio, and publisher Sony had reached an agreement to her satisfaction.

The stakes for Sony are high. After recent multiplayer misfires like Concord, the publisher has clear reasons to be cautious. Marathon now arrives nearly six months later than planned and launches into a market that’s already seen a breakout hit in Arc Raiders. Whether Bungie’s extraction shooter can carve out similar staying power remains to be seen — but after years of waiting, players will finally get their answer in March.

Xbox appears to be laying the groundwork for ads in its cloud gaming service, according to a new report from Windows Central.

The outlet spotted reports from several users who were met with a pop-up while launching games on Xbox Cloud Gaming, warning of “1 hour of ad-supported play time per session.” That’s notable, because while Xbox Cloud Gaming is currently included with all tiers of Xbox Game Pass, none of those subscriptions offer an ad-supported option — at least not yet.

Microsoft confirmed to Windows Central that ads are indeed coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming for users who have purchased Xbox games digitally but do not subscribe to Game Pass, though stopped short of saying when it will happen. In other words, an ad-supported tier is on the way. The company also said the pop-ups seen by users were shown in error, but the broader plan appears very real.

This isn’t exactly a shock. Xbox has been openly exploring advertising as part of its cloud gaming strategy for some time. Console manufacturing costs continue to rise. PC components like DRAM and SSDs are getting more expensive thanks to the AI boom. Add in U.S. trade tariffs, and suddenly the traditional hardware-first model looks increasingly fragile.

Cloud gaming, meanwhile, is quietly gaining traction. A November 2025 report found that Xbox Cloud Gaming usage through Game Pass nearly doubled compared to 2024 as the service expanded into more countries. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now are positioned as affordable alternatives to buying a $500 console or upgrading a PC every few years.

However, the major issue with cloud gaming is that idle compute is wasted money. Servers sitting unused still cost power, maintenance, and capital. As Windows Central notes, opening up Azure-backed cloud gaming to a free, ad-supported audience could help Microsoft keep utilization high and predictable.

It also provides a convenient justification for building even more data centers — something Microsoft is already eager to do.

SAVE $389.01: The 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $899.99, down from the standard price of $1,289. That's a 30% discount that comes within $1.99 of the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

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Credit: Samsung

49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 curved gaming monitor

$899.99 at Amazon
$1,289 Save $389.01

 

Get Deal

There's something to be said about investing in the best of the best. In certain realms, going bigger really does pay off, and for some people, that's very true when it comes to gaming. A curved gaming monitor can change the entire experience, and going with an ultrawide model is even more of an upgrade. If this is a step you're looking to take this year, check out this great deal.

As of Jan. 19, the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $1,289. That's a 30% discount that takes $389.01 off the price. It also comes within $1.99 of the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon, so this is darn close to the best price we've ever seen.

With a 1,800R curvature, the Samsung Odyssey G9 is out to make your gaming dreams come true. Not only does the Odyssey G9 have an ultrawide 49-inch display, the curve takes games to a whole new level. Of course, it comes with ample stats for gaming like a 240Hz refresh rate, a 0.03ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

In addition to having these top performance stats, Samsung equipped this model with other features that are great to have. Samsung gives this model extra burn-in protection with three-year warranty coverage and there's also the slim metal design. The monitor stand's height is adjustable, so you'll be able to find the perfect fit for your gaming sessions.

With the included stand, the curved monitor measures about 11 inches in depth, so double check that'll fit nicely on your desktop. And when you're not gaming, the 49-inch display can be great for working or rewatching Heated Rivalry.

While it's on sale for a near record-low price of $899.99, upgrade your gaming to the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 curved monitor. It'll be a game-changer of an immersive experience.

TL;DR: The 32-inch ASUS ROG Swift gaming monitor is now only $959.96 at Amazon. That's $340 off for a limited time.

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Credit: ASUS

ASUS ROG Swift 32-Inch 4K OLED Gaming Monitor

$959.96 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $339.04

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If you want a proper upgrade to your gaming setup that will last, it’s best to go with one of the industry’s bigger brands. As of Jan. 19, the 32-inch version of the ASUS ROG Swift gaming monitor, with a stunning 4K and OLED display, is now available to buy for $959.96 at Amazon. From its normal price of $1,299, that’s three cents shy of $340 off.

Saving you the price of a Nintendo Switch console, plus a game or two, this great-looking piece of tech provides a 240Hz refresh rate along with those 4K visuals and a 0.03ms response time. The specialized visual features like DisplayHDR and optional uniform brightness are wonderful for getting the very best graphics out of your 4K displays, while the refresh rates and response times can help improve your overall performance. 

This is especially true of intense, high-octane shooters like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and ARC Raiders — where a millisecond makes all the difference to you winning or losing a game. With the ASUS ROG Swift’s other pristine features, like a custom heatsink, improved airflow, and graphene film for improved heat management, this gaming monitor is a key piece of kit that will keep you scoring victories for years to come. 

If you’re still shopping around, the ultra-wide Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor just dropped to under $300 at Amazon. What’s more, the Samsung Odyssey G50D version of the G5 is also on sale for $249. 

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Jan. 19, 2026:

Across

Crab's grabber

• The answer is Claw.

"Giant" fruit in a Roald Dahl novel

• The answer is Peach.

Prefix similar to mega-

• The answer is Ultra.

Fast and nimble

• The answer is Fleet.

"Fantastic" animal in a Roald Dahl novel

• The answer is Fox.

Down

Large stringed instrument

• The answer is Cello.

Balloon material

• The answer is Latex.

1/640th of a square mile

• The answer is Acre.

Just ___ the doctor ordered

• The answer is What.

Small bit of wind

• The answer is Puff.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 19 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 19 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this green space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 19 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this orange space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Over her.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

THESE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An East-Asian country.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CHINA

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To jot down.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

WRITE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To brag.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

GLOAT

Final Hurdle hint

An injury.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

WOUND

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Commotion.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

NOISE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Tight.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TENSE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To put up.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

ERECT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A long-necked bird.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

HERON

Final Hurdle hint

To prop up.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

BORNE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 18 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 18 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is0-3, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 18 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (27): Everything in this space must add up to 27. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (16): Everything in this space must be greater than 16. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Burp.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

BELCH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A monster.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BEAST

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An outdoor deck.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

PATIO

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To dodge.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

AVOID

Final Hurdle hint

Tired.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

WEARY

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

SAVE OVER $500: As of Jan. 16, the Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 TV is on sale for $1,098 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Sony

Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 TV

$1,098 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $501.99

 

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If you're on the hunt for a new TV, there's a new deal on the Sony 85-inch Bravia 3 at Amazon that you need to know about.

As of Jan. 16, this impressive TV is reduced by over $500 and is now down to $1,098. It comes with Google TV and even has features specifically for the PlayStation 5. This price is for the 85-inch model, but if that's too big for your space, the 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch models are all reduced too.

This TV truly has a lot going for it, from the built-in Google Assistant to easy access to major streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and more. The Google Assistant is perfect for voice control searches, and the Google TV OS makes for a simple navigating experience, with all your favorite shows and movies in one place. It has unmatched picture quality too, which is highlighted by Triluminos Pro, giving you vivid color and detailed images, no matter what you're watching.

The TV also includes special features designed to optimize gaming on the PlayStation 5. These include Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, so if you're a gamer, this TV is designed for you.

Ready to upgrade your TV? Get this deal at Amazon.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 16 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 16 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (11): Everything in this space must be less than 11. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 16 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (24): Everything in this space must add up to 24. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horiontally; 1-4, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Number (20): Everything in this space must add up to 20. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed horiontally; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Jan. 16, 2026:

Across

___ Max

• The answer is HBO.

Where Marco Polo is played

• The answer is Pool.

Overwhelming amount, metaphorically

• The answer is Flood.

Reason for success in games like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders

• The answer is Luck.

"That's just the worst"

• The answer is Ugh.

Down

Liquor, informally

• The answer is Hooch.

Winner of a Booker prize, fittingly

• The answer is Book.

Antiquated

• The answer is Old.

Give a short promotion for

• The answer is Plug.

Winter malady

• The answer is Flu.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Quick.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

HASTY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A large artery.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

AORTA

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Pond birds.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

GEESE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A judge's tool.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

GAVEL

Final Hurdle hint

Vacant.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

EMPTY

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: The Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor is down to $279.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $120 off its original $399.99 price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5

$279.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $120

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You don’t need to wait for major sales to score a serious upgrade to your gaming setup. As of Jan. 15, Amazon has the Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor on sale for $279.99, down from its original $399.99 list price. This is a sizable 30% discount on one of Samsung’s most immersive displays. 

This version of the Odyssey G5 is built for players who want more screen without jumping into ultra-premium pricing. The 34-inch Ultra-WQHD resolution offers the equivalent of a dual-monitor setup without the bezels, making it ideal for expansive RPGs like Cyberpunk 2077, racing sims like Assetto Corsa Competizione, and multitasking between games and apps. Its aggressive 1,000R curve wraps around your field of vision, pulling you into the action in a way flat panels simply can’t match.

Pperformance is where this monitor really shines. You’re getting a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium, which helps eliminate screen tearing and stutter during fast-paced gameplay. Whether you’re chasing frame-perfect reactions in Fortnite-esque shooters or cruising through open worlds, the experience should consistently be smooth and responsive throughout any session.

At under $300, you’ve got an affordable way to step into high-refresh ultra-wide gaming from a trusted brand.

If you’re also open to a standard display, the 32-inch G50D version of the Samsung Odyssey G5 is on sale. Alternatively, the Asus ROG Strix monitor is on sale for its lowest-ever price at Amazon,

TL;DR: Hit RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is down to $39.97 at Amazon. This deal saves you $20 on its usual $59.99 price.

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Credit: Deep Silver

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

$39.97 at Amazon
$59.96 Save $19.99

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If you’ve been waiting to jump into KCD2, one of the most talked-about RPGs of the year, now’s the perfect time to do so. As of Jan. 15, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has dropped to $39.97 at Amazon. That's down from its usual $59.99 price tag: a solid $20 discount on what many are calling the most overlooked contender in the 'Game of the Year' category at the 2025 Game Awards. 

Made by Warhorse Studios, this sequel doubles down on everything fans loved about the original, delivering a gritty, historically grounded RPG set in 15th-century Bohemia. You once again step into the muddy boots of Henry, navigating a brutal medieval world shaped by political turmoil, personal revenge, and your own moral choices. Combat is still demanding, exploration is deeply immersive, and the game’s commitment to realism remains largely unmatched in the genre.

Released early in 2025 and going up against some of the other amazing games released later that year and also nominated for GOTY at The Game Awards — Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (the winner), Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, and Hollow Knight: Silksong — it's no surprise that KCD2 lost out on some well-deserved recognition. 

That said, it’s still a fantastic RPG in its own right, enough to also get nominated for ‘Best Narrative’ and ‘Best Role Playing Game’ at the Game Awards. That’s along with a plethora of other nominations at other awards, winning ‘Best PC Game’ at 2024 Gamescom.

Even at its full $60 price, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a great deal with dozens (if not hundreds) of hours of high-quality RPG fun. At $40 for PlayStation 5, it’s a no-brainer. 

Amazon has been going hard on game deals, with the retailer restocking its sale on Star Wars Outlaws and the Silent Hill 2 remake.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026:

Across

Feature of ...

• The answer is Two.

... every clue

• The answer is Words.

Kindle download

• The answer is Ebook.

Attempt again

• The answer is Retry.

Peering pair?

• The answer is Eyes.

Down

Actor Maguire

• The answer is Tobey.

Jotted (down)

• The answer is Wrote.

Foul smells

• The answer is Odors.

Had been

• The answer is Were.

Rainbow's place

• The answer is Sky.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Malnourished.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

UNFED

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To produce.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPAWN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A current switch.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

DIODE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Clouded.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FOGGY

Final Hurdle hint

A solid red block.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

BRICK

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 15 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this green space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 15 Pips

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this green space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 15 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this dark blue space must be different. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this green space must be different. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this green space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 3. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Roblox kicked off 2026 by attempting to deal with its most pressing issue: Predators taking advantage of kids playing and socializing on the video game platform. Last week, the company rolled out AI-powered age checks provided by third-party processor Persona for all of its users in order to place them in age-appropriate chats. The age verification process is mandatory if users want to chat on the platform.

Unfortunately, according to a new report from Wired, there have been some real issues with the age verification system, and the result has led to backlash among users, parents, and Roblox developers alike.

However, in a statement to Mashable, Roblox said it was pleased with the implementation of the new AI age verification system so far.

"To suggest that our age check technology isn't working is a fundamental misunderstanding of what it takes to shift safety at scale," said Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman in a statement to Mashable. "With a global community of over 150 million daily active users, we are pleased with where we are in the roll out process...Expecting the system to be flawless overnight is ignoring the scale of this undertaking."

What's going on?

As mentioned, in order to utilize the chat features on Roblox, users are now required to verify their age. To do so, Roblox users need to either upload a selfie for facial age estimation or provide a government-issued ID. Based on a user's age, Roblox then places the account in a specific age group category in order to help ensure that adults and children can't interact on the platform.

However, just a week into the rollout of the age verification system, Wired has found that the AI has been making significant mistakes to the detriment of the platform. The report details how users over the age of 18 are being mistakenly labeled as kids and placed in the wrong age group category. The reverse has occurred as well, with users under 18 being placed in adult age groups.

"ROBLOX AGE FACE SCAN VERIFICATION SAID MY 10 YEAR OLD LITTLE BROTHER WAS 16-17????" posted one user on X.

"I'm 23 (nearly 24) and it's forced me as a 16-17 year old," said another user on X. "I don't want to be chatting with fucking children."

Users under 18 have also posted videos of how they've tricked Roblox's age verification system.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

One user posted a video of a 3D animated avatar they uploaded, which Roblox's system identified as over 18. Another user, a young boy, posted a video of themselves fooling the Roblox' age verification system by drawing a mustache and beard on his face with a marker. The system indicated that it thought he was over the age of 21.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

And in a dark twist, Wired found that there was a black market growing on eBay where sellers were auctioning off Roblox accounts that were already age-verified, providing potential predators with yet another workaround to the system.

Roblox game developers have also complained that the age verification system is hurting their games by decimating their chat activity. One developer shared an analytics screenshot that showed chat activity on their game declining by an average of 50 percent over the last week.

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Roblox is extremely popular with young children and teens. The company has previously said that half of the U.S. population under the age of 16 is on the platform. Because of this, predators have targeted the platform's user base and, as a result, Roblox has been hit with a number of lawsuits regarding child safety over the past year. For the good of both the user base and the platform, it's critical that Roblox gets this right.

Roblox's creator forum has since been filled with complaints regarding the new age verification system. The company responded with its own post on the forum about how it will address some of the issues.

"Roblox may periodically re-check users’ age if fraud is suspected or take appropriate action if there we see signs of potential age misrepresentation," Roblox said in a post. "As part of our ongoing investment in safety, we will also be developing and improving detection for such behavior."

Roblox also added an update to share privacy details regarding the age verification process. For example, Roblox says Persona does not retain any data and deletes a user's image as soon as the age verification process is complete. 

Mashable reached out to Roblox for comment regarding the situation and received a statement from the company's Chief Safety Officer, Matt Kaufman:

“To suggest that our age check technology isn't working is a fundamental misunderstanding of what it takes to shift safety at scale. With a global community of over 150 million daily active users, we are pleased with where we are in the roll out process. It’s a process that will take time, you can’t flip a switch while building something that hasn’t existed before. 

Tens of millions of users have already completed the process, proving that the vast majority of our community values a safer, more age-appropriate environment. Expecting the system to be flawless overnight is ignoring the scale of this undertaking. We’ve already shared updates with our creator community to make this a smoother transition. This technology is the foundation of a new gold standard that limits communication between adults and minors by default. 

We are building for the next decade of the internet, not the next news cycle. We will continue to innovate, continue to require age checks, and continue to lead the industry where others have been too hesitant to go.”

UPDATE: Jan. 14, 2026, 2:15 p.m. EST This story has been updated with a response from Roblox.

SAVE $70.99: As of Jan. 14, get the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro gaming mouse for $89, down from its usual price of $159.99. That's a discount of 44%.

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Credit: Razer

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro

$89 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $70.99

 

Get Deal

A great gaming mouse is a must if you're looking to make PC gaming your main setup. If you like twitchy games, having one with a high DPI is important. And if you prefer more precision, it can help make you feel more comfortable with certain games. This Razer mouse that's on sale right now is a great all-rounder pick that can elevate anyone's game time.

As of Jan. 14, get the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro gaming mouse for $89, down from its usual price of $159.99. That's $70.99 off and a discount of 44%. This price is also within a dollar of its lowest price yet.

This wireless mouse has a 30K optical sensor with 10 programmable buttons so you can customize it to your liking. That gives it fantastic tracking, even on surfaces like glass, to give you improved aim and control. It also has a 90-million click life cycle with 0.2ms actuation, so you have no click delay.

Its hyperscroll tilt wheel makes it perfect for everyday use, as well as its hyperspeed wireless connectivity from Razer, which boasts speeds up to 25 percent faster than other mice of this ilk. And with a lengthy 150-hour battery life, you don't have to worry about charging it often, unlike most wireless controllers.

If you like color, you can add a splash of hues with the 13-zone Chrome lighting option as well, with 16.8 million color combinations to choose from and 150 Chroma-integrated games to make things match.

If you're ready to upgrade to a more fleshed-out precision gaming mouse, this is one to pick up. Just be sure to do so while it's nearly half off.

TL;DR: Assassin’s Creed Shadows — Limited Edition is now half price at Amazon. Get the game on PS5 for $34.99, down from $69.99.

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Credit: Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed Shadows — Limited Edition

$34.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.00

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Amazon has recently been having what seems to be clearance sales on its exclusive editions of certain games, including Star Wars Outlaws. And now the Assassin’s Creed series is following suit. As of Jan. 14, you can now buy the Amazon-exclusive Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Limited Edition for $34.99; that’s a huge 50% discount on its launch price of $69.99. 

Along with the AC Shadows base game, Amazon’s Limited Edition comes with some decent-looking bonus accessories via the Naoe Sekiryu Character Pack: 

• Naoe Sekiryu Gear Set

• Naoe Eye of the Dragon Katana Weapon

• Dragon Tooth Trinket

• Sekiryu Beast Mount

The Sekiryu Beast Mount is purely cosmetic with no added gameplay benefits, but it looks great with the rest of the set for an intimidating ensemble. What’s more, this is the lowest price this particular version of AC Shadows has ever been listed for on Amazon, and most likely won’t be at this price point again — since it looks like the retailer might be trying to clear out its extra stock. 

Even for just the base game, $34.99 is more than worth it for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, considering all the value you get out of it. As mentioned in our review of AC Shadows, this is the best entry from the long-running Ubisoft series to come out in years — with a gripping story and dual gameplay split between paired protagonists Yasuke and Naoe. 

It was a bit buggy at launch, but the various updates implemented since have more than fixed that, and finally getting to play as a titular Assassin in the beautiful land of Japan won’t leave you disappointed.

For more amazing deals on PS5 games, you can also grab the Silent Hill 2 remake at 45% off. The hit Battlefield 6 is also on sale, now available for around $40 on PS5 and Xbox.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026:

Across

Abruptly stop texting

• The answer is Ghost.

Shaving kit item

• The answer is Razor.

2024 film role for which Mikey Madison won Best Actress

• The answer is Anora.

The ancient Chinese used compressed blocks of tea leaves as this

• The answer is Money.

Shape of a round chart

• The answer is Pie.

Down

Dad's dad, informally

• The answer is Gramp.

Capital of Vietnam

• The answer is Hanoi.

___ layer, part of Earth's atmosphere

• The answer is Ozone.

How you might wake up after sleeping funny

• The answer is Sore.

Cafeteria food carrier

• The answer is Tray.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A long knife.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SWORD

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A coincidence.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

FLUKE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Took a gulp.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

DRANK

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Slimy.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

GRIMY

Final Hurdle hint

A klepto.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

THIEF

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 14 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 13 Pips

Number (13): Everything in this space must add up to 13. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 13 Pips

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 1-6, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 1-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this purple space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (15): Everything in this purple space must add up to 15. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this green space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Embark Studios is finally cracking down on cheaters in its hit multiplayer game Arc Raiders. The enforcement effort kicked off Monday, with suspected cheaters receiving an in-game pop-up informing them they’ve been hit with a 30-day ban.

The move follows weeks of heated discussion across online forums, where players have been vocal about a growing cheating problem. Last week, Embark announced that it would take action against offenders using game-breaking tools, including wallhacks, invisibility exploits, and aimbots. Some players, however, argue that lumping in lesser exploits like abusing map telemetry glitches to access locked areas risks overreach, especially if those infractions lead to permanent bans.

For now, a one-month suspension appears to be the baseline punishment, with the expectation that repeat offenders will face permanent bans. Still, not everyone is satisfied. On Reddit, some players argue the initial penalty doesn’t go far enough.

“1 month only?” one user wrote. “I hope there is longer suspension for various severity of cheating.”

“Suspension? Sure, that’ll teach ’em,” another replied.

Others took a more creative approach. Suggestions in the thread ranged from making cheaters clip endlessly through the floor, to encumbering them with a permanent 10 percent movement-speed debuff. More extreme proposals included covering the map with infinitely respawning enemies or forcing cheaters into a single server that's entirely cut off from the rest of the player base.

Whether Embark tightens the punishment or sticks with progressive bans remains to be seen, but for now, Arc Raiders cheaters are officially on notice.

TL;DR: The Amazon-exclusive Star Wars Outlaws - Limited Edition is now only $19.99 on PS5. That's 60% off its $49.95 list price.

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Credit: Ubisoft

'Star Wars Outlaws - Limited Edition'

$19.99 at Amazon
$49.95 Save $29.96

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Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws didn’t set the gaming world on fire at its high launch price of $69.99 in 2024, but when on sale, it’s undoubtedly going to sell faster than Kessel-mined Spice. 

As of Jan. 13, you can buy Amazon’s exclusive Star Wars Outlaws - Limited Edition on PS5 for only $19.99 — a huge 60% discount on the retailer’s current list price of $49.95. The Xbox Series X version is still available, but for a much larger $42.49.

As for what comes with the Limited Edition game, along with the Star Wars Outlaws base game, you’ll also get the Kessel Runner Bonus pack (cosmetic skins for your ship and speeder bike) and the Rogue Infiltrator Character pack — featuring some decent outfits for both Kay and her pet sidekick Nix. 

Despite the fact that the Star Wars game didn’t sell very well compared to expectations (around a million copies in its first month, lower than expected for the franchise), Star Wars Outlaws has finally been growing in players thanks to the combination of various quality-of-life updates and multiple price drops offering great value for money. 

After all, Star Wars Outlaws was always a decent game altogether; even now, it has a favorable review score of 75 on Metacritic. When I played and reviewed it for another site, it was a good time with an actually fun story — it just wasn’t $70-good. 

At the time of writing, Amazon had marked the game’s product page with “deal selling fast”, showing us that this price is more than the sweet spot for fans. This is definitely the lowest price we’ll see for the Limited Edition of Star Wars Outlaws, so be sure to grab it if you’re on the fence. 

If you’re adding more to your backlog, you can also grab the hit 2025 shooter Battlefield 6 for $30 off on Amazon. You can also buy the Silent Hill 2 remake on PS5 for just $27.39 at Amazon.

TL;DR: The Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor is now only $249.99 at Amazon.

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Credit: Mashable

Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G50D Series QHD

$249.99 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $180

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It turns out, when looking around for sales on some of the best gaming tech brands, you don’t have to wait for Prime Day or Black Friday to get a good deal that won’t break the bank. As of Jan. 13, the 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 QHD gaming monitor is now available for $249.99 on Amazon, a 42% discount from its original list price of $429.99.

The 32-inch G5 monitor offers the best value for money without a doubt, but it's worth noting that the 27-inch version is still a solid deal if you’re working with a very limited-sized gaming space.

Whichever version of the Odyssey G5 you go with, you’re still being treated to the very best from QHD: with a fast IPS panel for clear colors, VESA DisplayHDR 400 for deeper contrast, refresh rates up to 180FPS thanks to AMD Radeon FreeSync, and G-Sync compatibility to reduce screen-lag and image tearing. 

When playing fast-paced shooters like Battlefield 6 or Fortnite, visual perfection is a must, and that's what this monitor provides. The Odyssey G5’s stand is also entirely adjustable — letting you swivel and tilt the monitor until it's set just right for perfection-level comfort. 

Speaking of video games, Battlefield 6 is actually still $30 off both on PS5 and Series X right now. What’s more, the 32-inch Hisense A4 TV is on sale for $99.99, so you can upgrade your living room setup on a budget.

SAVE $250: As of Jan. 13, the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 is on sale for $749.99 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9

$749.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $250

 

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Good gaming equipment can transform your experience, and if you've been looking for the perfect gear to upgrade your current setup, we think you'll love this latest Amazon deal on the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9. This curved gaming monitor is a seriously great piece of kit, and as of Jan. 13, it's on sale for $749.99. That's a discount of $250.

This gaming monitor features a 1,000R Dual QHD display that's designed to wrap around your field of view. This makes your gaming experience far more immersive. It has a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms (GtG) response time, so fast motion stays smooth and clear, and blur and ghosting are both reduced.

The quality is impressive too, with the panel supporting up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, helping bring out detail in both dark and bright scenes, while AMD FreeSync Premium Pro helps prevent screen tearing during intense gameplay.

Other standout features include an adjustable stand with tilt, swivel, and height adjustment, and TÜV-certified eye comfort features reduce blue light and flicker, making long gaming sessions easier on your eyes.

Get this gamer-friendly deal at Amazon now.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026:

Across

Internet company that popularized chat rooms

• The answer is AOL.

With 7-Across, "Hey, don't blame me!"

• The answer is Thats.

See 4-Across

• The answer is On You.

Director of 2026's "The Odyssey"

• The answer is Nolan.

Marketing creations

• The answer is Ads.

Down

Lots and lots

• The answer is A ton.

[Gulp!]

• The answer is Oh no.

Signature hit for Eric Clapton

• The answer is Layla.

Mushroom-headed character in the Mario games

• The answer is Toad.

N.B.A. team from the hottest major city in the United States

• The answer is Suns.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 13 Pips

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 13 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 13 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

It has a spiral shell.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CONCH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A Kansas City footballer.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CHIEF

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Competently.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

APTLY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A style of pants.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SLACK

Final Hurdle hint

To mirror.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

MIMIC

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Save $110: As of Jan. 12, Amazon marked down the 27-inch Asus ROG Strix XG27UCG monitor to $339, saving you 24% on the $449 list price.

27-inch Asus ROG Strix XG27UCG

$339 at Amazon
$449 Save $110

 

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Good gaming peripherals can seriously change your setup, but high price tags don't make it easy to invest in those upgrades.

That's why taking advantage of deals year-round is the way to go, and as of Jan. 12, there's a solid gaming monitor deal worth checking out. The 27-inch Asus ROG Strix XG27UCG is on sale at Amazon for $339, bringing it's price down $110 from its $449 list price. That 24% discount also marks the best price we've ever seen on this monitor.

The monitor has a 4K display, with an excellent resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. The Dual Mode gets you access to a refresh rate of 160Hz for 4K gaming or 320Hz at 1080p, making it an especially intriguing option for anyone who enjoys both AAA games, as well as competitive games where a faster refresh rate is more important than a higher resolution. The response time isn't the best we've seen on a gaming monitor, but decent for the price at 1 ms.

The display also has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut — it won't be the most vibrant display on the market, but it's decent for the price point. Port-wise, this monitor is more limited with one DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI port, and one USB-C port that has 15 watts of power delivery.

If you aren't quite ready to invest in a premium gaming monitor that can run you upwards of $1,000, the Asus ROG Strix comes with some cons, but is ultimately a solid get for under $350.

SAVE 35%: As of Jan. 12, you can get the Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC) Series dual 4K UHD curved gaming monitor for $1,499.99, down from $2,299.99, at Amazon. That's a 35% discount or $800 in savings.

Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC) Series dual 4K UHD curved gaming monitor

$2,229.99 at Amazon

 

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If you've been looking for an excuse to justify upgrading your gaming setup, this deal on Samsung's most ambitious monitor might be it.

As of Jan. 12, the 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC) is on sale for $1,499.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount off its $2,299.99 list price and $800 in savings. While this isn't the lowest we've seen this model go for (it's currently $100 more than its all-time lowest price), $800 is nothing to sneeze at.

According to Samsung, the Odyssey Neo G9 is the world's first Dual UHD monitor with a 7680 x 2160 resolution. It uses Quantum Mini-LEDs with 2,392 local dimming zones, which means you'll get incredibly deep blacks and a 1,000-nit peak brightness.

It offers a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. It’s also one of the first major displays to support DisplayPort 2.1, though you'll need a high-end graphics card to actually push that many pixels at such a high speed.

Just a heads-up: this thing is a beast. It weighs about 42 pounds and is over four feet wide, so you’ll want to make sure your desk can actually handle it before you hit buy.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Jan. 12, 2026:

Across

Unit of farmland

• The answer is Acre.

Counterpart of "Musical or Comedy" at the Golden Globes

• The answer is Drama.

Kind of "touch" that A.I. lacks

• The answer is Human.

Alternative to credit

• The answer is Debit.

"OMG, that's hilarious"

• The answer is LOL.

Down

Condition that affects concentration, for short

• The answer is ADHD.

Willfully causing pain

• The answer is Cruel.

Five-time role for Sylvester Stallone

• The answer is Rambo.

One might have a scheduled send time

• The answer is Email.

Aardvark's prey

• The answer is Ant.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 12 Pips

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 12 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 12 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 6-4, placed verttically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 3-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: The tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 is now only $24.99 on Amazon. That's 32% off its $36.99 list price.

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Credit: tomtoc

tomtoc Slim Carrying Case

$24.99 at Amazon
$36.99 Save $12.00

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There have been so many mid-tier Nintendo Switch 2 cases that have come out since the console’s launch, and any premium models have come with hefty price tags. Thankfully, one of the best brands is getting more affordable. 

As of Jan. 12, the Slim Carrying Case for the Nintendo Switch 2 from tomtoc is now only $24.99. That's after a $12 price drop from its list price of $36.99. That 32% cut is on the gray color. Other SKUs (like black, white, or matcha green) are still on sale but for slightly more. As confirmed on price tracker camelcamelcamel, that’s the lowest-ever price for this product.

We reviewed the tomtoc carrying case for the Switch 2 back in the summer of 2025. We reckon its a must-buy if you’re seeking a slimline case that protects your expensive Nintendo console. 

Designed as a “precision-fit lightweight shell”, the tomtoc Slimsline Case not only fits snuggly around your Nintendo Switch 2 — so it doesn’t jostle around as you travel — it also protects the console perfectly from drops and bumps with “Military-Standard-Drop-Test-Protection” and “soft-shock absorption, thanks to its hard-yet-lightweight clamshell-style design. 

All the while, its luxurious outside presentation and plush interior scream “premium quality” throughout, enough to give your portable gaming setup a professional look when commuting, on a flight, or when taking a gaming break in your office. 

Amazon has marked this as a limited-time deal, so you should jump on this deal if a premium slimline case for your Switch 2 has been on your wishlist.

Among other hit deals in Amazon’s gaming section, you can also grab the Silent Hill 2 remake on PS5 for only $27.39. If you’re after an upgrade for your gaming room, the 50-inch Roku Smart TV is over $50 off right now at Amazon.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A unit of garlic.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CLOVE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A subject.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TOPIC

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A venomous snake.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

ADDER

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Magic.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CHARM

Final Hurdle hint

Split again.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

RECUT

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

To brush aggressively.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SCRUB

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Prickly.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPINY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

After six.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

SEVEN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Cool.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CHILL

Final Hurdle hint

Where sand meets ocean.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

SHORE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A small boat.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SKIFF

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To make into small pieces.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GRATE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A letter in the Greek alphabet.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

SIGMA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A trinket.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CURIO

Final Hurdle hint

They're always on the go.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

NOMAD

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 10 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-5, placed. vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 10 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 10 Pips

Less Than (5): Everything in this purple space must be less than 5. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this yellow space must be greater than 10. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this red space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: Battlefield 6 is now 45% off at Amazon, available for only $39.97 for a limited time.

The best 'Battlefield 6' deals at a glance:

---

Best PS5 Deal

'Battlefield 6'

$39.97 (save $30.02)

Get Deal

---

Best XBOX SERIES X Deal

'Battlefield 6'

$39.97 (save $30.02)

Get Deal

It’s rare to see newly-released games with strong reviews get big discounts just a couple of months after release, but Battlefield 6 seems to be a delightful exception to the rule.

Both for PS5 and Xbox Series X, Battlefield 6 is now available to buy for only $39.97; that’s a 43% discount from its launch price of $69.99. While the game did briefly drop to $35 in December, according to camelcamelcamel, we believe this was due to trying to make the most of the Christmas rush and won’t be seeing level again for quite some time. 

Battlefield 6 has done so well — commercially, critically, and in terms of accolades — that getting it for three cents short of $40 feels like a steal. 

Along with selling over seven million units within just three days of release and sitting at an 83 on OpenCritic, the series’ biggest launch, Battlefield 6 also earned a ton of nominations at the Golden Joystick Awards, The Game Awards (winning Best Audio Design), 16th Hollywood Music in Media Awards (winning Best Music Supervision), and The Steam Awards. 

If you’ve been on the fence about which multiplayer shooter to play with your friends this year, Battlefield 6 seems like it will definitely give you the best value for money.

For those aiming to upgrade their gaming setup for their PS5 or Xbox at the same time, the Samsung Odyssey G8 QD-OLED gaming monitor is available at its lowest price yet at Amazon. If your console is part of your living room space, the 50-inch Roku Smart TV is over $50 off at Amazon.

TL;DR: The Silent Hill 2 remake is now only $27.39 at Amazon. That's 45% off its original list price at Amazon.

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Credit: Konami

'Silent Hill 2' (PS5)

$27.39 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $22.60

Get Deal

With Silent Hill f one of the best games of 2025, the long-running horror franchise has been enjoying a renaissance following the success of the 2024 Silent Hill 2 remake on PS5 — one of the best games of 2024. 

If you’ve been saving yourself to jump back in, you can now try the latter for a new low price. As of Jan. 9, the Silent Hill 2 remake is now available for only $27.39 on Amazon, thanks to a 45% price cut from its original $49.99 listing. Confirmed when checking price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest the Bloober Team-developed remake has been sold for on the store.

This low sticker price definitely doesn’t mean you’re getting a poor game in return. In addition to being one of the finest releases of its year, getting a high score in our own Silent Hill 2 review at Mashable, this best-selling hit has received acclaim and awards recognition across the board.

For instance, alongside receiving six nominations at The Game Awards, it even won ‘Best Remake’ at the New York Game Awards. If you’ve got Silent Hill f burning up your 2025 backlog, the Silent Hill 2 remake is the perfect warmup. 

If you’re also keen to upgrade your PS5’s setup, you can get the Samsung Odyssey G8 QD-OLED gaming monitor for its lowest price yet at Woot. For those who are after a PlayStation 5 display that’s a bit bigger, the 50-inch Roku Smart TV is over $50 off at Amazon, part of a limited-time deal. 

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Jan. 9, 2026:

Across

Question in a late-night text

• The answer is YouUp.

Plentiful

• The answer is Ample.

Saint ___ and Nevis (Caribbean nation)

• The answer is Kitts.

Baby-bringing bird

• The answer is Stork.

Take care of the tab

• The answer is Pay.

Down

Himalayan herbivores

• The answer is Yaks.

Fail to include

• The answer is Omit.

"High five!"

• The answer is UpTop.

The "U" of UV rays

• The answer is Ultra.

Annoying to deal with

• The answer is Pesky.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 9 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 9 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (17): Everything in this space must add up to 17. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (14): Everything in this space must add up to 14. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 9 Pips

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Part of a married couple.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

GROOM

Hurdle Word 2 hint

The sound a basketball makes in the net.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SWISH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Fancy.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

JAZZY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Abundantly.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

AMPLY

Final Hurdle hint

A slogan.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

MOTTO

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026:

Across

Donate

• The answer is Give.

Piece of equipment in curling or Quidditch

• The answer is Broom.

Tidbit of information

• The answer is Datum.

Prone to daydreaming

• The answer is Spacy.

Athletic shorts fabric

• The answer is Mesh.

Down

Flavor of a purple lollipop

• The answer is Grape.

Greek letter I's

• The answer is Iotas.

Go to bat (for)

• The answer is Vouch.

Award with Daytime and Primetime categories

• The answer is Emmy.

Erotic practice in "Fifty Shades of Grey," for short

• The answer is BDSM.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 8 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 8 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horiontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 8 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-1, placed hoirizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

To nibble.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

MUNCH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

After.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SINCE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Assertive.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

BRASH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A faction.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

JUNTA

Final Hurdle hint

A classic card game.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

POKER

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

With CES 2026 in full swing, we've already seen a slew of product announcements from Taiwanese tech giant Acer. From new laptops to an electric scooter, there's a lot of new tech to look forward to this year from the brand. One thing we're particularly pumped about is the lineup of new gaming monitors.

Acer unleashed three new monitors at CES on Monday to fulfill gamers' needs for speed, precision, performance, and of course, aesthetics. Whether you're seeking the absolute fastest refresh rate, gorgeous imagery, or a mix of the two, the latest releases are sure to satisfy. While none are available for purchase quite yet, we've broken down all the details we know so far — including the price and timeline of when they'll be up for grabs.

Be sure to follow along with Mashable's live CES 2026 updates for the latest and greatest announcements all week long.

Acer Predator XB273U F6 gaming monitor

First up is the Predator XB273U F6, a 27-inch, 2560 x 1440 QHD IPS panel with an ultra-fast 500Hz refresh rate ideal for high-level esports. That refresh rate can jump to an astonishing 1000Hz if you use the Dynamic Frequency and Resolution (DFR) mode, which lowers the resolution to 1280 x 720. Motion blur and ghosting? Never heard of them. Other specs include a 2,000:1 native contrast ratio and 350 nit brightness, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, audio out, and dual integrated 2-watt speakers, an ergonomic and adjustable stand, and a remote control smart dial for convenience.

"With its 500 Hz refresh rate, advanced IPS technology, and 1000 Hz dynamic mode, it delivers both speed and visual fidelity that redefine what competitive gamers can expect from a monitor," said Charles Wang, Senior Manager, Product Management, Digital Displays at Acer.

The Predator XB273U F6 will be available sometime in the spring of 2026 starting at $799.99.

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Credit: Acer

Acer Predator XB273U F6 gaming monitor

starting at $799.99

Learn More

Acer Predator X34 F3 curved gaming monitor

For those who prefer their games to physically wrap around them, Acer has announced a new Predator X34 F3 QD-OLED curved gaming monitor. It packs a more modest (but still great) 360Hz refresh rate, a 34-inch curved QD-OLED panel with a native resolution of 3440 x 1440, a 0.03 ms gray-to-gray response time, and an 1800R curvature for breathtaking clarity, lightning-fast responsiveness, and truly immersive gaming. Its ideal for both competitive players and content creators, as the 99% DCI-P3 color gamut, 1.07 billion color support, 500 nit peak brightness, and 1,000,000,000:1 Adaptive Contrast Management (ACM) ratio deliver gorgeous highlights, deep blacks, and vibrant colors all around. Other perks include ergonomic tilt, swivel, and height adjustment, and dual 5-watt integrated speakers.

The Predator X34 F3 will also be available this spring for a starting price of $1,199.99.

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Credit: Acer

Acer Predator X34 F3 curved gaming monitor

Starting at $1,199.99

Learn More

Acer Nitro XV270X P gaming monitor

Finally, we have a new Acer Nitro gaming monitor, the XV270X P. This 27-inch IPS monitor combines creator-grade 5K resolution with esports-level 330Hz performance. Sure, that's not as high of a refresh rate as the other newly announced monitors, but it's still a beast of a monitor. And as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) pointed out, casual gamers probably won't notice a huge difference beyond the 240Hz mark (at least on a laptop). At 5120 x 2880 (5K) resolution, it'll run at 165Hz via HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 for crystal-clear details and vibrant imagery. When you need fluidity and responsiveness for gameplay, it offers a blazing-fast 2560 x 1440 at 330 Hz.

Other features include AMD FreeSync Premium, a 0.5 ms minimum GTG response time, a 1,000,000,000:1 native contrast ratio, up to 400 nit peak brightness, 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, dual 2-watt speakers, and an ergonomic stand with tilt, swivel, and height adjustments.

The Nitro XV270X P gaming monitor will hit shelves this spring with a starting price of $799.99.

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Credit: Acer

Acer Nitro XV270X P gaming monitor

Starting at $799.99

Learn More

If you're in need of a new gaming monitor and simply cannot wait for the new products to drop, we've also rounded up a few excellent options you can buy right now. Some are even on sale.

Acer gaming monitors you can buy right now:

---

Acer Predator X34 OLED

$699.99

Shop Now

---

Acer Nitro XV272U W2 gaming monitor

$199.99 (save $100)

Get Deal

---

Acer Nitro EDA343CUR V3 curved gaming monitor

$269.99 (save $50)

Get Deal

---

Acer Predator X27U W1 QD-OLED gaming monitor

$544

Get Deal

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026:

Across

Planning to, informally

• The answer is Gonna.

___ tolls (GPS setting)

• The answer is Avoid.

Pulsed quickly, as the heart

• The answer is Raced.

Draw an outline of

• The answer is Trace.

Prefix with loop for theoretical high-speed transport

• The answer is Hyper.

Down

Wayne's sidekick in "Wayne's World"

• The answer is Garth.

Egg-producing organ

• The answer is Ovary.

"I'm serious!," in slang

• The answer is Nocap.

Sister's daughter

• The answer is Niece.

Snake that sounds like it would be good at math?

• The answer is Adder.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 7 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically..

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 7 Pips

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically, 3-0, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 7 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horiontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 3-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 7. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Insane.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CRAZY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Glue.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

EPOXY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To rescind.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

QUASH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A common American last name.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SMITH

Final Hurdle hint

Two on a dice.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

DEUCE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Neurable’s pitch at CES 2026 is bold: what if performance tracking didn’t just include your mouse, keyboard, or heart rate, but also included your thoughts?

That idea is now packed into a pair of chunky-but-surprisingly-comfortable gaming headphones, built in partnership with HP's HyperX brand. Inside the headset are EEG sensors designed to read brain signals in real-time, allowing Neurable’s software to track focus, cognitive load, and reaction speed while you play.

Credit: Chance Townsend / Mashable

I tried Neurable’s neurotech headphones during a private demo with the team inside the Palazzo, away from the chaos of the show floor. The headset features thick earcups and fabric padding that are designed to conceal EEG sensors without resembling lab equipment.

It should be noted that Neurable didn’t start in gaming. Much of the company’s underlying tech was developed in academic settings and tested with the Department of Defense, including applications for monitoring brain health after blast exposure.

The headset supports live metrics for streamers and coaches, including focus, cognitive speed, and “brain battery,” a measure meant to indicate when you’re mentally fatigued and should probably take a break.

Before any "performance boost" happens, the system establishes a baseline. Sitting at a demo station, I watched a live graph respond to nothing more than my thoughts: focusing pushed the line upward, distraction pulled it back down. No calibration session, no gel caps, no wires running across my scalp — something CEO Ramses Alcaide emphasized as a major hurdle Neurable claims to have solved using AI-driven signal processing.

From there, the demo moved into Aimlabs, a familiar FPS training tool used by esports players to measure accuracy and reaction time. The goal is to hit as many targets as possible in a fixed time window. My first run went well, though not spectacularly, and was also hindered by the fact that my contact lenses kept sliding every time I focused too hard.

That baseline run mattered because it set the stage for PRIME.

PRIME is Neurable’s neurofeedback system, and it’s best described as a personalized meditation warm-up for your brain. Instead of asking you to "clear your mind" in the abstract, PRIME visualizes your focus and cognitive load in real time. As you relax and concentrate, dots on the screen slowly collapse into a single point — feedback that your brain is entering an optimal state.

Alicia Howell-Munson, the research scientist who developed PRIME, described it less as a relaxation exercise and more as cognitive tuning. The session lasted just over a minute for me. Others, I was told, can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on fatigue, stress, or how far off their baseline they are that day.

When it ended, I felt oddly alert. Not wired, but ready. The best comparison I can make is the feeling right after a good meditation session, except with a clearer sense of purpose. Unfortunately, my contacts were still drifting.

Credit: Chance Townsend / Mashable

After PRIME, I retook the same Aimlabs test. Despite my eyes fighting me, the numbers improved. I hit more targets, and my reaction time dropped noticeably, from roughly 500 milliseconds down into the mid-450s.

That aligns with what Neurable claims to have observed in early testing. According to the company, everyday gamers and esports athletes using PRIME showed average reaction time improvements of around 40 milliseconds, along with gains in accuracy and target hits. In competitive contexts, those margins matter.

The feeling afterward was quite pleasant, all things considered. Everything on screen felt slightly slower, but I was reacting more quickly. Alcaide described it as "bullet time for your brain," which sounds corny until you experience it.

While still a proof of concept, the team has high expectations to have this headset on the market in the very near future.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026:

Across

When pigs fly

• The answer is Never.

Courtroom excuse

• The answer is Alibi.

"That's a ___!" ("Seems unlikely!")

• The answer is Big if.

Cash register compartment

• The answer is Till.

She, in French

• The answer is Elle.

Down

Catch, as a crook

• The answer is Nab.

Designation for prolific Yelp reviewers

• The answer is Elite.

Candlelight ___ (solemn observance)

• The answer is Vigil.

Online invoice

• The answer is Ebill.

Piece of equipment in a Winter Olympics biathlon

• The answer is Rifle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 6 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 6 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 6 Pips

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Making AI companions and assistants feel more real, more physically present, has become one of the defining themes of CES this year. Razer is leaning into the moment by showcasing a more tangible version of Project Ava at CES 2026.

For those who need a refresher, Project Ava is Razer’s real-time gaming co-pilot: an AI assistant that essentially acts as a backseat gamer for you. While you’re playing, Ava — represented here by a character named Kira — offers live advice, tips, and commentary, overlaid directly on your screen as the game unfolds. It’s coaching, but with a personality and a face.

Razer technically showed off Project Ava at last year's CES, but that early demo was almost aggressively abstract. Instead of a character, it was mostly lines of code and system diagrams, with Razer walking through how the AI processed gameplay data and generated commands in real-time. Useful, sure, but not exactly something you could imagine sitting next to you during a late-night gaming session.

This year's version is clearly about making the concept feel less like a backend experiment and more like a presence. Whether that makes having an AI critique your gameplay more helpful or more annoying is another question entirely.

The new Project Ava hardware is a cylindrical desktop device with a transparent outer shell that displays a full-body, animated character inside. A camera is mounted at the top of the unit, facing outward, while the base features a perforated, patterned platform that gives the character a sense of depth. The bottom ring glows in Razer’s signature green and is branded with the company logo. Designed to sit next to a laptop or monitor, the device functions as a dedicated display for the AI assistant, keeping it separate from the game screen rather than overlaying it on gameplay.

Credit: Chance Townsend / Mashable

The character Razer demoed is called Kira, though she's far from the only option. Other presets include Zane, a sharply dressed, extremely large man with a massive snake tattoo running down his arm. Very much the kind of character that feels ripped straight from something you’d find on BookTok. According to Razer, these avatars will be customizable, including the ability to create your own from scratch. The company has also partnered with influencers to offer character likenesses, including esports pro Faker, signaling that Project Ava is as much about personality and fandom as it is about utility.

As with most CES demos, the room was aggressively loud, which made it hard for the AI to consistently pick up voice commands. We spent most of the demo parked in the Battlefield 6 loadout customization screen, asking Kira for advice on which guns and gadgets would make the most sense for the next round. Given the circumstances, it worked well enough, and the recommendations were solid for what they were (and yes, running frag grenades over stuns for the assault class is the correct call).

Outside of gaming, Razer says it has expanded Project Ava's capabilities beyond just backseat coaching. The company claims the AI can now offer advice on non-gaming tasks as well, with Ava still appearing as an on-screen overlay while you work. In practice, that means Project Ava is inching closer to the same general-purpose assistance other AI tools promise, but with gamer branding now.

There's still no release date for Project Ava, though Razer says it's targeting sometime this year.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A stench.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SMELL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To frown.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SCOWL

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Vulgar.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

CRUDE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A small sweet fruit.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BERRY

Final Hurdle hint

An art stand.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

EASEL

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

SAVE $399.99: The 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 is on sale at Amazon for $630, down from the list price of $1,029.99. That's a 39% discount.

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Credit: WD_Black

8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD

$630 at Amazon
$1,029.99 Save $399.99

 

Get Deal

The holidays are over and now we're in the long stretch of winter. Spring and warmer temps are still a few months away, and if you plan to spend some serious time gaming this winter on a PS5, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 5, the 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 is on sale at Amazon for $630, down from the list price of $1,029.99. That's a 39% discount.

If you find yourself constantly juggling your PS5 downloads to make room for new game titles and updates, you need more storage. Unfortunately, the world is in a storage battle right now and the prices on SSD and RAM have gone a bit bananas. Thankfully, we have this Amazon deal on an 8TB SSD that's certified for PS5.

With this upgrade, you won't have to transfer or remove games from your console to make room for extra titles. Plus, it's easy to install into the M.2 slot. WD_Black states this SSD comes with read speeds of up to 7,200 MB/s, so you won't have to worry about load times. Bonus points go to this as the only 8TB NVME SSD that's officially certified for the PS5.

With an 8TB upgrade, WD_Black says you'll have the space for up to 200 games. The built-in heat sink is also beneficial for helping keep things cool.

Since we have no idea what the price of storage will do in 2026, ensure you have plenty of space by scoring this deal on the 8TB WD_Black M.2 SSD licensed for PS5 for $630 at Amazon. Your winter gaming will appreciate the extra space.

BELOW MARKET VALUE: As of Jan. 5, the Magic: The Gathering Commander Masters Set Booster Box is $492.13 at Amazon, compared to TCGplayer's price of $548.67.

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Credit: Wizards of the Coast

Magic: The Gathering Commander Masters Set Booster Box

$492.13 at Amazon
$548.67 Save $56.54

 

Get Deal

Originally released in August 2023, Commander Masters surprisingly focuses on the Commander play format in Magic: The Gathering. It’s the most popular multiplayer format, and this set isn’t just about the awesome reprints; there are some killer staple Commander cards in this set that belong in your deck.

You can look forward to Borderless, Frame Break, and Borderless Profile cards in this booster box, although the “new” cards are exclusive to the pre-built Commander Decks. Not to worry, though — the real meat and potatoes of this set are found in the boosters.

You’ll get 24 booster packs, with each one containing 15 cards, specifically:

• 1 art card

• 1 token card or 1 card from “The List” (25% chance)

• 2-6 Rare or higher cards

• At least 1 Traditional Foil card

• 10% chance for a Foil Stamped Signature Art Card

• 1% chance to pull a Borderless Mythic Rare card

Most valuable Magic: The Gathering Commander Masters cards

Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Wizards of the Coast

If you’re after the top-tier Commander Masters cards for your collection, it’s not cheap. But with just a 1% chance of pulling these bangers, it’s going to save you money in the long term to simply buy the single cards you’re after. Here are the top five Commander Masters chase cards, with links to buy them now alongside up-to-date market value information:

1. Jeweled Lotus (Textured Foil) #1066
   Near Mint Holofoil: $417.29
   Market price: $350.60
   Most recent sale: $360.93

2. The Ur-Dragon (Textured Foil) #1065
   Near Mint Holofoil: $117.03
   Market price: $115.98
   Most recent sale: $116.50

3. Fierce Guardianship (Foil Etched) #489
   Near Mint Holofoil: $103.68
   Market price: $103.93
   Most recent sale: $101.65

4. Deflecting Swat (Foil Etched) #532
   Near Mint Holofoil: $128.95
   Market price: $101.62
   Most recent sale: $109.99

5. The Great Henge (Foil Etched) #562
   Near Mint Holofoil: $96.65
   Market price: $83.56
   Most recent sale: $79.99

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Jan. 5, 2026:

Across

"Now I get it!"

• The answer is Aha.

Benoit ___, detective in the "Knives Out" films

• The answer is Blanc.

Give one's two cents

• The answer is Opine.

Time difference between the East and West Coast, in hours

• The answer is Three.

Pirate's assent

• The answer is Aye.

Down

Generation after Gen Z

• The answer is Alpha.

In need of a shave

• The answer is Hairy.

"Bonne ___!" ("Happy New Year!," in French)

• The answer is Annee.

Many a social media antagonist, sadly

• The answer is Bot.

First in "class"?

• The answer is Cee.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 5 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 5 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this purple space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this green space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 5 Pips

Number (11): Everything in this purple space must add up to 11. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this yellow space must be greater than 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this lower light blue space must add up to 11. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) isn't a gaming showcase, but gamers should pay attention, anyway.

CES 2026 kicks off this week, running Jan. 6 to 9, meaning all the biggest tech brands in the world have converged on Las Vegas to show off their wares. For people who love video games, CES is less a chance to see up and coming titles from big publishers and more a way to find out about upcoming video game hardware, specifically in the PC space. In other words, don't expect to hear much from Nintendo, PlayStation, or Xbox directly, even taking into account that parent companies like Sony and Microsoft will have some presence at the show.

Still, that doesn't mean gamers should tune out CES entirely. Here are some gaming trends you can expect to hear about at CES 2026.

Gaming laptops galore, but how much will they cost?

Nvidia's GeForce RTX 50 Series announcement was one of the biggest moments of CES 2025. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Gaming-focused laptops are always on display at CES, and this year shouldn't be an outlier in that regard. We know that manufacturers like Razer and Asus will be at the show in one way or another, so don't be surprised to see powerful new laptops from them at CES.

In terms of what has come out ahead of the event, we do know that Asus is reportedly working on a new dual-screen gaming laptop because the company all but announced it on X in December. This appears to be a rework of the ROG Zephyrus Duo laptop from a few years ago. Asus hasn't touched it since 2023, so maybe a redesign is in order. Don't be shocked to see that at CES.

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Beyond that, Lenovo is said to have a gaming laptop with a horizontal rollable display in the works, which could very well end up at CES this year. Lenovo has experimented with rollable displays in its non-gaming laptops before, but this one supposedly has Legion branding, which is what Lenovo uses for gaming devices. The display supposedly has a 21:9 aspect ratio when fully unrolled and an Intel core processor of some kind.

Speaking of Intel, the company has already confirmed that it will show off its new Panther Lake CPUs at CES. It's totally possible (though not certain) that we will see some powerful gaming laptops with these inside of them. The same goes for AMD, which is holding a keynote on Monday. We could see some devices with its powerful new Ryzen CPU built in, too.

The only problem with all of this is that widespread memory shortages due to the proliferation of AI data centers has made computer components enormously expensive. This has implications for both console and PC gaming, and it will be worth watching at CES for which gaming laptops have prices attached to them and which ones do not. Will companies jack prices up, or stick with lower specs to keep prices down? We'll have to wait and see.

Updates to handheld gaming PCs, perhaps

We went hands on with the Lenovo Legion Go 2 in Oct. 2025. Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

All of these new chips could potentially find their way into handheld gaming PCs, as well. We know that Lenovo has a new Legion Go with SteamOS built in for anyone who doesn't want to use Windows anymore, so that could show up at CES.

This is still a growing and emerging market category, and it seems ripe for more devices beyond the Legion Go 2 to appear at CES. We'll keep our eyes peeled for these as we explore the show floor.

Flashy new gaming monitors

They come in all sizes and shapes. Credit: Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images

Monitors are kind of the unsung heroes of any gaming PC build. Fortunately, they aren't forgotten at CES.

As usual, expect to see monitors with higher resolutions and refresh rates than you're used to seeing. Back in December, Philips announced a 1440p monitor with a blazing fast 500Hz refresh rate. That's wild in its own right, but it also reportedly has 1080p/1000Hz modes, too. Those are big numbers! It will definitely be worth checking those out if they appear at CES, which seems likely given the timing of the announcement.

Aside from that, Chinese monitor company HKC announced an RGB mini LED monitor recently, too. Rather than focusing on higher refresh rates, the idea here is to achieve better color accuracy through the use of RGB technology. Don't think they're skimping on the other specs, though, as this monitor evidently will run at 4K with a 165Hz refresh rate. That's no slouch.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A large horned animal.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

BISON

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Boldly.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

NOBLY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Odd.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

WEIRD

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Used to sweep.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BROOM

Final Hurdle hint

Famous rockstar David ___.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

BOWIE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026:

Across

Ron Swanson's "number one favorite food," on "Parks and Recreation"

• The answer is Bacon.

It comes in black and green varieties, depending on ripeness

• The answer is Olive.

Paramour

• The answer is Lover.

In bronze medal position

• The answer is Third.

Feeling resentful, in slang

• The answer is Salty.

Down

Streaks of lightning

• The answer is Bolts.

Hawaiian greeting

• The answer is Aloha.

The "C" of A.C.L.U.

• The answer is Civil.

In the open

• The answer is Overt.

Knowledgeable, and proud of it

• The answer is Nerdy.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.