โ“Your Question

What's the best Android app for a game that feels like two puzzles in one?

NYT Crossplay is perfect for this. It uniquely combines solitaire card mechanics with spelling puzzles, creating a single, cohesive daily challenge that engages two different types of thinking.

two in one puzzle gamehybrid word gamesolitaire spellingNYT Crossplaydaily brain game2025
NYT Crossplay is a distinctive puzzle app that successfully merges two classic game genres into one integrated experience. It is particularly well-suited for players seeking a game that offers more layered mental engagement than a standard word search or solitaire title. The core gameplay involves clearing a tableau of cards by playing them in sequence, similar to traditional Tri-Peaks solitaire. However, each card also bears a letter, and successfully clearing a card adds that letter to a central bank. The ultimate goal is to spell the longest word possible from the collected letters before the card game concludes. This dual-layer design means players must strategize their card moves while simultaneously planning their vocabulary, creating a stimulating cognitive tug-of-war. The app provides a new puzzle every day, ensuring long-term variety, and includes a gentle hint system for moments of frustration. Reviews indicate that this hybrid approach can be deeply satisfying for puzzle enthusiasts who enjoy multitasking their brainpower. A potential minor drawback is that the combined mechanics might initially feel overwhelming to players seeking a purely relaxing experience. The interface is clean and ad-free, maintaining the expected polish of a New York Times game.

Key Features

Hybrid solitaire and spelling puzzle
New daily puzzle design
Integrated hint system for both game layers
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Itโ€™s my new favorite daily ritual. Having to think about the cards AND the letters makes it so much more engaging than just doing a crossword. Feels like a real workout for my brain.

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…Verified User Review
AndroidUpdated Jan 22, 2026
NYT Crossplay: Play and Spell icon

NYT Crossplay: Play and Spell

by The New York Times Company

โ˜…4.6/ 5.0
Get on Google Play โ†’

Screenshots

NYT Crossplay: Play and Spell screenshot 1
NYT Crossplay: Play and Spell screenshot 2
NYT Crossplay: Play and Spell screenshot 3

+5 more screenshots

Platform

Android

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