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Just a little over one year ago, the Nintendo Switch 2 finally came out, and it's been a heck of a rollercoaster ride.
Nintendo's latest home console/handheld hybrid has surprised, delighted, and in some capacity or another disappointed us all in the span of 12 months. There have been excellent exclusives and a stronger-than-expected pipeline of major third-party releases, all alongside serious concerns about affordability (and eventually a price increase) and questions about whether Nintendo might be playing it too safe with some of its big titles.
With all of that in mind, let's talk about the first year of the Switch 2, including what's gone right, what went wrong, and what we can expect from its next trip around the sun.
SEE ALSO: The biggest announcements from the June 2026 Nintendo Direct Nintendo Switch 2 first anniversary: The good Credit: Joe Maldonado / MashableStarting with what has worked in the Switch 2's favor, I would be remiss not to immediately mention the significantly more premium look and feel of the device compared to its predecessor. Nintendo sized up the Switch 2 a bit, giving it a larger display with a higher resolution and refresh rate, bigger Joy-Con controllers that are more comfortable in the hands, and a less toy-like feel overall. The dock for outputting games to your TV has also been significantly improved via the addition of a built-in Ethernet port, something the Switch 1's dock didn't have at launch.
The Switch 2's improved industrial design was also met by substantially more horsepower under the hood. While it's still a far cry from what a PlayStation 5 can do, the Switch 2's graphical capabilities are strong enough that a surprising number of big, expensive third-party releases have already made their way to the console, or will in the near future. The Switch 2 ports of recent hits like Pragmata and Resident Evil: Requiem are nothing short of outstanding, and the June 2026 Nintendo Direct contained some upcoming heavy hitters like Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen and Devil May Cry 5. Oh yeah, Elden Ring is still on track to release on Switch 2 this year, too.
Needless to say, the people who only own a Switch 2 and no other gaming hardware (anecdotally, this is not a small audience) are eating pretty good these days. It's also worth noting that the Switch 2's arguably best use case right now is playing older games. A shockingly large number of old Switch 1 games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have either gotten paid "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" upgrades or free patches to make them look and run a lot better on the new console. There's also a bunch of backward-compatible Switch 1 games that simply work better on Switch 2 without an official update, which is pretty sweet, honestly. I kind of can't believe how much time I've spent going back and clearing out my backlog of old games simply because they look better on Switch 2 than they did before.
Oh yeah, the eShop digital storefront that's built into the console is finally usable now. It was a real slog on Switch 1, but it's totally fine on Switch 2.
Couples Halloween costume idea, maybe? Credit: NintendoLastly, Nintendo has been releasing roughly one first-party game per month since the Switch 2 came out. That cadence has produced some great stuff like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Pokémon Pokopia. I'll also go to bat for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which is a lot cooler than you might think at first glance. Not every exclusive has been a banger, but you could argue the Switch 2 has gotten more compelling first-party titles in its first year than the PS5 has in its first six years. And there's basically zero argument against the fact that the Switch 2 is winning that battle against the Xbox Series consoles in the same time frame.
Nintendo Switch 2 first anniversary: The bad I did not care for 'Kirby Air Riders.' Credit: NintendoWhen discussing the Switch 2's early pitfalls, one simply has to start with its place in the current economy. Everything is more expensive than ever, meaning disposable income is at a premium for many, many people. Put bluntly, the Switch 2 is a bigger investment than a lot of people can realistically make right now. Some of that is Nintendo's fault, but much of it isn't.
For example, Mario Kart World being $80 is something Nintendo has control over, but the $50 price hike coming later this year (an extreme rarity for a new video game console) is a response to the RAMageddon crisis that's causing tech prices to spike all over the place. Nintendo requiring users to buy MicroSD Express cards (a new storage medium most people don't already have lying around) to expand system storage is also unfortunate, given the ongoing memory crisis, even if the Switch 2 would be a notably less capable machine if it used an older, cheaper storage format.
Considering the quality of the hardware and the state of the tech manufacturing economy, the Switch 2, being a $500 initial investment starting in September, makes sense. But that doesn't mean people have to like it, and they probably shouldn't.
On the software side, there are some gripes to be had, as well. It's not great that we haven't even heard whispers of a new mainline Mario or Legend of Zelda game for the Switch 2 after a year. Their absences are easily explained (the core Mario team made Bananza and Zelda games take like six years to make now), but nonetheless, those are the things some people really flock to Nintendo systems for, and we have no idea when they'll come out or even be announced.
There's also a strong argument to be made that Nintendo is playing it a bit too safe with its software lineup at the moment. The Switch 2 has yet to be home to a notable brand new franchise of any kind, something that we usually see at least once per console generation. Beyond that, two of the biggest upcoming Switch 2 exclusives are Star Fox and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, remakes of older games. As intriguing as those both might be, they're not as exciting as new games would be.
What's next for Switch 2?Having said all of that, I do think the near-future outlook for the Switch 2 is positive. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave looks like it'll be a heater when it comes out in September, and the same could be said for announced 2027 releases like Pokémon Winds and Waves and Xenoblade Genesis. I also have a gut feeling we'll hear something from Mario by the end of 2027.
Aside from games, it would be great to know if Nintendo has plans for Switch 2 Lite or Switch 2 OLED models. A handheld-only Lite console could be a cheaper alternative, while an OLED model would address the complaints many users have about the handheld display on the current machine. In a perfect world where AI data centers didn't exist, one or both of these would be a lock-in for the next year or two, but sadly, the outlook is uncertain.
Broadly speaking, I think Nintendo has made most of the right moves over the past year, and I feel pretty good about where things are headed, RAMageddon aside. As someone who lived through the Wii U era, when it felt like Nintendo was in a sort of existential crisis, I'll take the current situation over that in a heartbeat.
TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 1min.AI with ChatGPT, Gemini, and other major AI models in one place for $69.97.
Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $69.97AI subscriptions can feel reasonable when you’re only using one tool, like ChatGPT. But once your work expands into writing, image generation, document analysis, and translation, the monthly costs and tool switching start to pile up quickly.
1min.AI — now on sale as a lifetime plan for just $69.97 — pulls those capabilities together in one platform, giving you access to ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and more without juggling multiple subscriptions.
1min.AI runs in your browser and pulls a ton of everyday work into one place. You can research keywords, draft blog posts, rewrite and shorten text, generate social posts, and keep a consistent brand voice across projects. There are tools to summarize or translate documents, chat with multiple PDFs at once, and spin up slide presentations. For visuals, you can generate images from prompts, upscale low-resolution pictures, remove backgrounds, extend edges, or turn rough sketches into cleaner artwork.
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The Advanced Business Plan includes 4,000,000 credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 more through daily logins and other tasks. Credits are shared across writing, images, audio, and video, so you can lean harder on whichever tools you need that month. The plan supports up to 20 members, with shared workspaces, an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voices. If you don’t use all your credits, they just roll over, so you aren’t missing out if you have a lighter month.
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StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is down to $32.97 (reg. $219.99).
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $29.97This is your last chance to ditch Microsoft 365’s subscription fees for good. Until June 14 at midnight, you can grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for 85% off its usual retail price. Simply pay once, download the full software suite, and never worry about renewals again.
We know what you’re thinking, but rest assured, this isn’t some stripped-down lite version either. It’s the real deal. Whether you’re writing reports, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing emails, or wrangling databases, the lifetime version of Microsoft Office has you covered.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!It’s a one-time download for one Windows PC, so once it’s yours, it’s yours. The full pro-level toolkit, minus the stress of a subscription. Plus, with instant license delivery and free customer support, getting started is as painless as your new spreadsheet workflow.
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TL;DR: Put an end to the PDF struggle with this lifetime license to AcePDF Converter and Editor, now just $29.99 (reg. $99.99).
Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker AcePDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License $24From contracts and invoices at work to forms from the doctor’s office, you can’t avoid PDFs these days. Fortunately, there’s now a much easier way to work with them thanks to AcePDF Converter and Editor. This handy tool is even on sale now, with a lifetime license for just $29.99.
Working with PDFs shouldn’t feel harder than your actual workload. AcePDF Converter and Editor keeps things simple, making the editing and converting process a whole lot easier.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!If you need to convert a PDF to another file format, AcePDF can help. Pick MS Word, Excel, PPT, HTML, PNG, or JPG, or you can also create PDFs from Word, Excel, PPT, and image files. You don’t have to worry about the original file being compromised, as AcePDF creates high-quality conversions that preserve the original layout, images, and hyperlinks.
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TL;DR: Live stream Argentina vs. Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The first round of 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage games is coming to an end, and we're finally getting a chance to see the defending champions. Argentina face off against Algeria in their opening game, a match they'll be expected to win without too much hassle. That being said, anything can happen in tournament football.
If you want to watch Argentina vs. Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Argentina vs. Algeria?Argentina vs. Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on June 16. This fixture takes place at the Arrowhead Stadium.
How to watch Argentina vs. Algeria for freeArgentina vs. Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Argentina vs. Algeria for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Watch Argentina vs. Algeria for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Argentina vs. Algeria (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream Argentina vs. Algeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Austria vs. Jordan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup rumbles on with more group-stage games bringing together teams that wouldn't usually meet, like Austria and Jordan. That's what this competition is all about. Argentina and Algeria are the other sides in this group, so Austria will be desperate to start strongly with three points from this game.
If you want to watch Austria vs. Jordan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Austria vs. Jordan?Austria vs. Jordan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 12 a.m. ET on June 17. This fixture takes place at the Levi's Stadium.
How to watch Austria vs. Jordan for freeAustria vs. Jordan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Austria vs. Jordan for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch Austria vs. Jordan for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Austria vs. Jordan (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream Austria vs. Jordan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
Amazon Prime Day is still a week away, but some of DJI's most popular products are already seeing early discounts at Amazon.
Whether you're looking to capture better travel footage or finally pick up that creator favorite you've had your eye on, these pre-Prime Day deals could save you from waiting until the main event kicks off.
Prime Day officially runs from June 23-26, but the savings have already started landing.
Best early Prime Day DJI drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 $399 at AmazonThis is a lightweight drone, weighing under 249g, meaning no FAA registration is required for recreational flying. It captures 4K HDR video, supports True Vertical Shooting, and offers stable footage thanks to its 3-axis gimbal and Level 5 wind resistance. It has beginner-friendly features like GPS Return to Home and Auto Takeoff/Landing, so it's a great choice for getting started with a drone.
More early Prime Day DJI drone dealsDJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo — $2,550 $2,899 (save $349)
DJI Mavic 4 Pro — $3,500 $3,750 (save $250)
This camera features a 1/1.3-inch sensor for shooting in low-light conditions, as well as 4K video capabilities at up to 120fps with a 155° ultra-wide field of view. It offers up to 150 minutes of battery life and it works in temperatures as low as -20°C. It's even waterproof to depths of 18m, making it an ideal choice for vlogging your outdoor adventures.
More early Prime Day DJI camera dealsDJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Waterproof Action Camera Bundle — $429.99 $399.99 (save $30)
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo — $539 $629 (save $90)
The DJI Mic 3 is a compact wireless microphone system designed for creators, podcasters, and interviewers who need quality audio while on the go. It supports up to four transmitters, features adaptive gain control and selectable noise cancellation, and uses dual-band transmission for clear audio in busy environments. You'll get up to 28 hours of battery life with the charging case, so it's great for long hours recording. Not to mention, it has compatibility with a huge range of DJI devices.
More early Prime Day DJI accesories dealsDJI Mic 2 Transmitter — $59 $79 (save $20)
DJI Mic 2 — $199 $269 (save $70)
SAVE $300: As of June 16, the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. That's a 55% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum $249.96 at AmazonPrime Day kicks off next week, but there are some early deals already starting to pop up. You can already find deals on things like portable power stations and robot vacuums, and if you’re looking for the latter, there’s a great deal on the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra live right now.
As of June 16, this vacuum is down to $249.99, a savings of $300. That’s more than half off the list price and the lowest-ever price for this model.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This vacuum uses Matrix Clean Navigation to follow a precise grid pattern when vacuuming. This means it makes multiple passes over areas and dirt, making sure nothing is missed. This model also benefits from a self-emptying and bagless design. This is managed at the docking station where it can hold up to 30 days of dirt and debris.
360° LiDAR mapping helps it to navigate around your home, and it can even detect and avoid obstacles like shoes or furniture legs. And if you have pets at home, this vacuum is more than capable of dealing with the excess hair and fluff. It has a self-cleaning brushroll and strong suction to handle pet hair, dust, and dander.
It can also be controlled hands-free using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and it supports scheduled cleans, so you can set it to run when you’re out of the house.
Pick up this robot vacuum deal from Amazon now.
SAVE OVER $1,000: As of June 16, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus is on sale for $1,619 at Amazon. That's a 42% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus $1,619 at AmazonAmazon Prime Day gets underway next week, but if there are items on your shopping list that just can't wait, you might be lucky and catch an early deal.
Amazon has already started dropping prices on some popular products, and if you're shopping around for a portable power station, make sure you check out this early deal on the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus. As of June 16, it's currently over $1,000 off, with the lprice dropping to $1,619.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This is a seriously powerful unit, providing up to 3,600W of output with a 3,584Wh capacity that can be expanded to 21kWh per unit or 43kWh across multiple units. It supports both 120V and 240V operation in parallel and is designed to power big household appliances including pumps, heaters, and dryers during outages.
It's built with high-temperature-resistant ceramic membrane battery cells, so it's designed to help excessive heat or overcharging, giving it a rated lifespan of 6,000 charge cycles and up to 10 years of use.
This portable power station also supports four charging methods. These include hybrid AC and DC charging that can recharge the battery from 0-100% in around two hours, alongside AC, solar, and gas generator charging options.
Get this portable power station deal at Amazon now.
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require baseball movie knowledge.
As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: North Carolina sports
Green: Baseball cinema
Blue: NBA finances
Purple: Famous Max
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: A North Carolina Athlete
Green: Baseball Films
Blue: NBA Contract Terms
Purple: Max___
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #631 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?A North Carolina Athlete: BLUE DEVIL, HORNET, HURRICANE, TAR HEEL
Baseball Films: 42, BULL DURHAM, EIGHT MEN OUT, MAJOR LEAGUE
NBA Contract Terms: 10-DAY, MIDLEVEL EXCEPTION, SUPERMAX, TWO-WAY
Max___: FRIED, SCHERZER, STRUS, VERSTAPPEN
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.
Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with 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.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 16, 2026The 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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 15, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for June 16 PipsLess Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.
Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.
Number (9): Everything in this orange space must add up to 9. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.
Number (9): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 16 PipsEqual (1): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically.
Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed vertically.
Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.
Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 16 PipsEqual (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.
Number (22): Everything in this space must add up to 22. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.
Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.
Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.
Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-2, 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.
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.
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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintIn the future.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerLATER
Hurdle Word 2 hintTo meander.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerMOSEY
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Hurdle Word 3 hintA thud.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerTHUNK
Hurdle Word 4 hintA share.
Hurdle Word 4 answerQUOTA
Final Hurdle hintA drum.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerCONGA
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: Learn up to 25 languages in a year with this one-year subscription to Rosetta Stone Sapphire, now just $127.20 (reg. $159).
Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone Sapphire: 1-Year Subscription $127.20Want to learn a new language? How about more than one? With this one-year Rosetta Stone Sapphire subscription, you can learn up to 25 different languages with the immersive lessons and technology geared toward helping your pronunciation.
Right now, you can lock in major savings and learn for a year for just $127.20.
If you want to learn languages, it’s best to go to a trusted source. Rosetta Stone has over 30 years of language learning expertise under its belt, coupled with new technology that helps you speak like a native.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This one-year subscription gives you access to their structured lessons in 25 different languages, from Spanish and German to Mandarin and Arabic.
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TL;DR: BJ’s Club Card Membership is down to just $15 (reg. $60), giving you a full year of access to wholesale pricing, fresh groceries, gas savings, and seasonal finds right before summer kicks off.
Opens in a new window Credit: BJ's Wholesale Club 1-year The Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal® (Terms apply.) $15Summer has a funny way of turning quick grocery runs into full-contact financial experiences.
Suddenly, you’re buying burgers for cookouts, drinks for backyard hangs, enough fruit for everybody’s “healthy phase,” plus paper towels, sunscreen, pool stuff, and approximately 900 snack foods for road trips and beach days.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Which is exactly why grabbing a BJ’s Club Card Membership for $15 right now feels like a smart move instead of a random impulse buy.
Normally priced at $60, this membership saves you $45 upfront while unlocking access to BJ’s warehouse pricing on everyday essentials, fresh groceries, household items, top national brands, gas stations, and bigger things like furniture and electronics.
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And for $15 for the whole year, this feels like a very practical summer decision.
Get a 1-year membership to BJ’s with auto-renewal for a one-time $15 payment (reg. $60).
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TL;DR: Get lifetime access to ChatPlayground AI for $54.97 (reg. $619) and compare outputs from 25+ leading AI models side by side in one place.
Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $59.97If you’ve ever pasted the same prompt into multiple AI tools just to see which one gives the best result, you’re definitely not alone. Each model has its own strengths, but switching between apps, tabs, and subscriptions slows everything down. ChatPlayground AI, on sale for $54.97, brings those models together so you can view and compare responses side by side without constantly bouncing between platforms.
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TL;DR: Live stream Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Nobody is really expecting Norway to challenge for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but they've got a really talented squad with some of the biggest names in the tournament. Haaland is one of the star names of this competition, but can he lead his team into the latter stages?
They'll expect to start with a win over Iraq. They'll need those three points, because Group I looks like possibly the toughest of the bunch. Group I also includes France and Senegal, two teams that can give Norway a lot of problems.
If you want to watch Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Iraq vs. Norway?Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 16. This fixture takes place at the Gillette Stadium.
How to watch Iraq vs. Norway for freeIraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Iraq vs. Norway for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch Iraq vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Iraq vs. Norway (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:
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Live stream Iraq vs. Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a healthy eater.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 16, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Healthy toppings
Green: Posse
Blue: One in a million
Purple: Rings
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Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Creamy salad dressings
Green: Attendants
Blue: Rare things, idiomatically
Purple: What "Hoops' might refer to
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #1101 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayCreamy salad dressings: BLUE CHEESE, CAESAR, GREEN GODDESS, RANCH
Attendants: COURT, ENTOURAGE, RETINUE, SUITE
Rare things, idiomatically: BLACK SWAN, BLUE MOON, PERFECT STORM, UNICORN
What "Hoops' might refer to: BASKETBALL, EARRINGS, RED TAPE, RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS GEAR
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 16, 2026Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you can't wait for break time.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 16, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: For here or to go?The words are related to food.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe midday meals.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
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NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Whats for Lunch.
NYT Strands word list for June 16Sandwich
Ramen
Gyro
Whats for Lunch
Salad
Wrap
Soup
Tacos
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always in awe.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 16, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 16, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:To wow.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter A appears twice.
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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
AMAZE
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
The New Moon has passed, and visibility will slowly be returning over the next few nights.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Tuesday, June 16, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 7% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on June 29.
What are Moon phases?According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, moving through eight recognised phases along the way. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it travels around Earth. As a result, we see the Moon appear in different shapes over the course of a month, from slender crescents and half moons to a bright Full Moon. This repeating sequence of phases is known as the lunar cycle.
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
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