Puzzle games are everywhere. Here’s why.

Call it the Wordle effect! Every app, it seems, is getting into games.

“A good game is any game that people have decided that they really like,” explained Amanda Rafkin , a puzzle games expert and editor of the USA Today Crossword.

If you like to play, there are plenty of apps to download, but you can also check INSIDE the apps you’re already using.

Like LinkedIn. The job-focused platform recently added three daily puzzle games:
Queens, Pinpoint and Crossclimb.

LinkedIn says the games help you foster connections, conversations and more.

“If you and your friends play the same games every day, it’s a huge motivator to touch base every day and talk about your score,” explained Rafkin.

For subscribers, Apple News+ has a daily crossword and a mini version, but there’s also something new called Quartiles , where you form words by selecting tiles.

“I think sometimes it’s nice in life to be presented with a quote on quote problem that you’re guaranteed to have one single solution,” said Rafkin.

Netflix is known for its streaming movies and TV shows, but did you know it also has a growing games category?

Members have access to more than 80 mobile games with no ads, no extra fees and no in app purchases.

Brain games include Word Trails and Paper Trail, where you solve puzzles. Games do need to be downloaded separately on Android and iOS.

Finally, YouTube is testing a mix of over 75 games that are playable directly on the app.

Tap Explore, then Playables. I’ll be honest: the games aren’t the highest quality here, but they load fast. They don’t work offline and not everyone has access just yet.

You can also bookmark your favorites so you can easily find them later.

Puzzle games include a daily crossword and a Wordle-like game called Today’s Hurdle.

Rafkin says these apps are adding games because they’re sticky. They keep people coming back on a daily basis.

Plus, “the more you do anything the more you build mastery around it. And it’s super fun and rewarding to watch yourself improve at stuff that you like to do,” she concluded.

Did you know there’s even a hidden game inside the Chrome web browser on your smartphone?

Just put your phone in airplane mode, open Chrome and try to open a website.

Then, click on the dinosaur that appears and play!

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