New York Times, Wednesday, May 24, 2023

For us, constructing and tying down a themed crossword is so time-consuming but is so rewarding when all the themers come together in such a clever way. WAKA FLOCKA FLAME has got to be one of our all-time favorite themers. When coming up with themers related to PACMAN, the Shakira song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) was first in mind. Obviously, it didn't work, but coming up with Waka Flocka after that was a no-brainer. It was so clever and so funny that we had to submit it.

At first glance, the connection between PACMAN and WAKA FLOCKA FLAME isn't as clear-cut as the other themers, but the theme is tied together in such a clever way that when the realization hits, it pops out like a jump scare.

We constructed this crossword in early 2022 and have been talking about it since. It's been a real fight mentioning the crossword to our friends and family and not revealing any spoilers, so we cannot wait to see it published finally.

WAKA WAKA WAKA!

Wait, that's something else. For this child of the 1980s, though, Fozzie Bear and PACMAN are equally pleasing.

Some might wonder, why now for this puzzle? PACMAN was from so many decades ago. Aha! Ready Player One features an "extra life" token that the protagonist wins by playing a perfect game of PACMAN. (I'm curious if Billy Mitchell's parents are proud or if they're sobbing.)

What, the book was from over a decade ago? Aha, what about the recent movie? Yes … the one that both sucked and cut out the perfect PACMAN game that was integral to Wade's journey. Never mind.

I failed so badly at "Name That Theme," even after feeling sure that PELLET, GHOST, FRUIT must be related, since I couldn't figure out how WAKA FLOCKA FLAME might fit in. I bow my head to Kavin and Nijah for obfuscating things so well.

Such elegant gridwork, nearly as perfect as Wade's perfect PACMAN game. Usually, you'd think about putting a long Down where LOL and BOSE are. Running long Downs through three themers instead makes your life so much harder — especially tough when one of them has to end in an F! ASTROTURF is an evocative entry, and EIGHTBALL is even better.

Although there's a fair bit of ACA ASIN FAA HORS, it's all well worth the BEST CASE SAFE WORDs.

Thank goodness Tina FEY is uber-famous, as her crossing HANYU would have left me a GONER otherwise. Impressive to read about Yuzuru HANYU's crossworthy achievements.

This puzzle isn't going to do anything for people who have never played PACMAN or aren't familiar with the game, but it hit all my sweet spots, bringing this kid-at-heart right back my idyllic days of hanging out in arcades.