How to play

Starting the game

Highlight the "Crosswords" icon in the games menu on your phone, and press "OK." A screen appears giving the option to play with the sound on or off (sound can also be turned on/off in the options menu). Select "Yes" or "No" to proceed to the splash screens and Main Menu.

Main Menu

• Time Mode - Two contestants go head to head, as in the TV show, playing multiple rounds
• Casual Mode - Play at your own pace
• Customize - Create and customize your personal avatar
• High Scores - Display your current and past high scores
• Options - Press "OK" or select to toggle on or off "Sounds" and "Vibrate" and "Hints"
• Help - Display detailed instructions about how to play the game
• About - Display legal info, customer service and copyright information
• More Games - Find more EA Mobile games for your phone

From the Main Menu, select which mode you'd like to play, then let the Crosswords fun begin!

Time Mode: IN ROUND 1, two contestants go head-to-head as they battle to answer crossword puzzle clues, trying to fill in as much of a crossword puzzle as possible. Press "OK" or "5" to buzz in and seize the chance to answer the question. Use the numerical pad to enter your answer before time runs out. In this mode, you compete for virtual cash and prizes.

IN ROUND 2, the game play remains the same, but with a significant twist - three additional "Spoiler" contestants enter, and will try to knock the two main contestants off their podiums.

If a contestant answers incorrectly or does not answer, then a "Spoiler" has a chance to answer. By answering correctly, a spoiler can replace one of the front row contestants. The "Spoiler" also takes the podium, cash and prizes of the contestant they replaced. Once knocked off a podium, a main contestant is sent to the back or "Spoiler" row. From here, the contestant can try to earn his/her way back into the front or contestant row.

IN ROUND 3, the dollar amount assigned to each word doubles. At the end of this round, the contestant who has the most money wins and advances to the final round.

IN ROUND 4, the finalist will face the puzzle alone. The finalist must complete the remainder of the puzzle in 90 seconds or less in order to win the grand prize.

Casual Mode: With more than 20 different puzzles, Casual Mode gives you the opportunity to be challenged by classic crosswords for as long as you'd like. Play when you can, pause when you have to, and pick up again when you can.

Controls

FUNCTION	KEY
ALL
Navigate Up / Down	d-pad up / 2, d-pad down / 8
Navigate Left / Right	d-pad left / 4, d-pad right / 6
Select / OK	OK / 5
Quit / Exit App	CLR / END
SPLASH SCREENS
Skip	Any key
TITLE SCREEN
Quit / Exit App	CLR / END
Start Game	Any key
GAMEPLAY
Pause Menu	Left softkey
Scroll Through Songs / Items	d-pad left / 4, d-pad right / 6
Buzz In	OK, 5, right softkey
Type In Your Answer	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Please Note: Controls may differ across handsets.

Saving/Loading

Game progress is automatically saved. To load, select the mode you would like and choose "Yes" to continue.

Tips and Hints

If you don't know the answer, try to make a guess rather than letting the timer run out. If you make no answer, you automatically give another contestant the opportunity to answer before you.

FAQ

Q. How many contestants participate in a given game?
A. 5 total

Q. How do you win?
A. You win by making it to the final round of competition and completing the puzzle. The final contestant must answer and spell each answer correctly and complete the puzzle within the allotted time to win the grand prize.