| SIDEQUEST | Secondary task in a computer game, or a feature of each answer to an asterisked clue (9) |
| HIDDENGEM | Diamond in the rough ... or a literal feature of each answer to a starred clue |
| EASTEREGG | Hidden feature in a computer game or DVD |
| CPU | It does the basic tasks in a computer: Abbr. |
| TABLETOP | Like some game night games, or a feature of 4-, 11-, 21-, 29-, and 40-Down |
| LEADINGMAN | Daniel Craig in Spectre, e.g.; and what each answer to an asterisked clue has (10) |
| COLDSTARTER | Baba ganoush, say, or what each answer to an asterisked clue has (11) |
| CHARLIE | Third letter of Nato alphabet, and what each answer to an asterisked clue is (7) |
| SOUTHBEND | City that's the center of the Michiana region...and a feature of each of this puzzle's theme entries |
| PIECEOFCAKE | Something easy, as each answer to an asterisked clue has (5,2,4) |
| WESTCOUNTRY | Region known for scrumpy, and what each answer to an asterisked clue has (11) |
| OFFICER | First ___, co-pilot, and what each answer to an asterisked clue has (7) |
| BISCUIT | As each answer to an asterisked clue is (7) |
| SHOWBOAT | Musical, and what each answer to an asterisked clue does (8) |
| HOMOPHONE | Feature of each entry's clue or answer (except this one) |
| OPERATION | Surgery, and mathematically what starts the answer to each asterisked clue (9) |
| PLAYINGWITHFIRE | Inviting danger ... the end of which can precede each half of the answer to each asterisked clue |
| WINEREGION | Napa Valley, e.g., or a feature of each starred answer? |
| WORKOUTINTHEEND | Have a satisfactory conclusion, and a feature of each starred answer |
| ONEDIRECTION | Boy band indicating what must be added to the answer of each asterisked clue (3,9) |
