Have You Played with a Cube Toy? Give Your Mind a Workout with the World's Most Popular Toy: 7 Unique Cube Toys and How to Solve Them (2020)

Have You Played with a Cube Toy? Give Your Mind a Workout with the World's Most Popular Toy: 7 Unique Cube Toys and How to Solve Them (2020)

Rubik's Cube, the predecessor of all cube toys, is without doubt the most popular toy across the world. An icon and benchmark in puzzle/toy design, cube toys have puzzled, frustrated, enthralled and delighted millions over the past more than 4 decades. Like everything else, cube toys have also evolved with time and are now available in different shapes and sizes and catering to varied skill levels. This guide will introduce you to various cube toys currently available in the market and for beginners we have a special section on how to start solving them.

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Understanding What a Cube Toy Is

Also known as a magic cube, puzzle cube, speed cube, the original Rubik’s Cube is a 3D object named after its inventor a Hungarian professor of architecture and sculptor. Each of the six faces on the original classic Rubik’s Cube was covered with one coloured sticker of the major six colours, i.e. yellow, green, white, red, blue and orange.

However, with numerous versions and imitations available, cube toys now come in different shapes and colours. Each face is enabled by an internal pivotal system to turn independently, thus, mixing the different colours. Each face must return to its original colour for the puzzle to be solved.

The magic cube was sold for the very first time in 1980 and won the Best Puzzle in the German Game of the Year award. The cube has been considered as the world’s best selling toy with over 350 million cubes having been sold until January 2009.

Interesting Facts About Cube Toys

Globally Popular

The sales statistics are evident that the cube toy is very popular globally. This is because after the Rubik’s Cube was introduced in the early 1970s, they have sold over 350 million of these toys. These are the sales figures from all over the world combined and not just one location. One of the reasons as to why it is this popular is because it serves a really large market when it comes to toys. A good example is for those who love solving mathematical problems, the Rubik’s Cube is there to meet that need. Also, for those who love finding solutions for complex things, they also prefer to go to the Rubik’s Cube to exercise their mind.

Available Globally

If there is one toy that is known by at least 70% of the world’s population it is the cube toy especially the Rubik's Cube. Besides, it also feeds its customers with a variety of cube toys to choose from. Therefore, there is always one cube toy that you have not solve, yet. With the largest markets being in the Asia, that does not indicate that other continents do not buy cube toys. Cube toys are available everywhere in both online and physical stores which makes their availability that much easier.

Variety of Types Available

Referring to the cube toy market, there are over one hundred different types for the customers to choose from. This ensures that cube toy lovers are always looking for newer and more challenging cube toys to solve and enjoy. For example, on Amazon, you can buy different types of cube toys with different difficulty levels and for different prices, depending on what exactly are you looking for. Some examples of the different types include: Megamix Cube, Pyraminx Pyramid 3D Puzzle Cube, etc.

Can Be Solved on Different Platforms

Since cube toys have existed in the toy market for almost half a century, there have been adjustments made to ensure maximum accessibility of these toys. One of the major advancements is the fact that you do not need to have a physical cube toy at hand for you to enjoy solving the puzzle. This has been made a reality by the various online programs that enable you to enjoy the cube toy from anywhere across the world. Therefore, be assured that you can get to solve certain cube toys online as well.

Related to Mathematics

Source www.wired.com

Some people avoid associating themselves with anything related to mathematics. However, for many of you the element of something mathematical, in a game, is a bonus point for playing that game. Solving cube toys puzzles follows a mathematical algorithm step by step in order to complete it. Therefore, for those of you that relate to mathematics, it is a good idea to start looking for cube toys and solve them.

Recommended Fun Cube Toys You Can Try and Where You Can Get Them

As mentioned earlier, the various toy manufacturers continue to bring different types of cube toys to the market, therefore, you always have a large variety to choose from. We have curated a list of some of the most exciting and easily available cube toys. Thus, depending on what type you want to solve, you can identify the one that suits your needs. Moreover, they are also available in different shapes and colours. Therefore, you can choose from this list or explore the linked websites for more options.

Pyraminx Pyramid 3D Puzzle Cube

Source www.amazon.in

The Pyraminx Pyramid 3D Puzzle Cube is a three-layered puzzle in a tetrahedron shape that comprises of 4 triangular faces divided into nine smaller triangles that are identical. One of the major things that stands out in this cube toy is the fact that it is age-friendly, i.e. all ages can solve it. More so because it is an easy and a natural turning fun twist as compared to the 4 x 4 traditional cube toy. This is because it is enhanced with a corner-cutting ability that makes it smoother when solved.

They come in different colours and are statistically the second best selling toys after the Rubik's Cube. Also, they are known as the triangle Rubik's Cube. This is an exciting toy cube worth trying to solve and is available in different stores, including Amazon, where it goes for about ₹ 229.00 to ₹ 800.00. It is also available on Indiamart; however, this store only permits buying products in bulk; therefore, there is a minimum order, which in this case, is 36 pieces with each piece costing ₹ 105.00.

Megaminx Cube

Source www.amazon.in

This is a puzzle similar to the Rubik’s Cube that is dodecahedron in shape and consists of 50 movable pieces that can be rearranged as compared to 20 movable pieces of a Rubik’s Cube. The Megaminx Cube contains 30 edge pieces, 20 corner pieces, 12 centrepieces and 12 faces. There is a centre piece on each face that contains the colour which that face should have when solved.

The edge and corner pieces can be either 2-colour or 3-colour pieces - since they are to be shared with adjacent faces. The other pieces can be permuted around the centre by twisting the face layer while the face centres can only be rotated in their place.

This type of a cube toy may seem complex at first, however, it has a solution and in order to guide you through to solving it, this cube comes with a small guide. More so, it provides a more challenging experience as compared to the normal 3 x 3 Rubik's Cube. You can buy this cube toy from Amazon at around ₹ 444.00.

Gold Mirror Cube

Source www.amazon.in

This puzzle is a 3 x 3 shaped cube toy, whose pieces have different dimensions. These dimensions determine where the pieces of the cube fit when finding the solution. This gives the cube a look that, to many, may appear weird when moving the parts. However, once the cube toy is solved, it seems smooth on its edges. For those who seek a tougher challenge, then the Gold Mirror Cube is one of the best choices. This cube toy comes in different colours. However, silver and gold are the most common colours available.
This cube toy is quite affordable in the sense that it is available on Amazon for about ₹ 149.00. Besides, it moves with ease while you turn the different sides to find a solution. Once you purchase this cube toy, one of the things you are assured of is the durability it delivers. Therefore, after purchase, you get to enjoy finding the solution of this puzzle for the longest time before thinking of purchasing another one.

Speed Cube Set

Source www.amazon.in

As the name suggests, this is a puzzle made with smooth cornering technology that makes it easier for cubers to turn the pieces and is considered to be smoother than most cube toys in the market. This cube set has a minimum of three cube toys and a maximum of four cube sets. Therefore, depending on your tastes and preferences, you get to choose the most appropriate combination for you.

A good example is the combination that has a 3 x 3 x 3 cube that is easier to solve for beginners, a snake cube ruler bonus, a pyramid cube, a 2 x 2 x 2 cube, a skewb cube, and a 3 x 3 x 3 cube. The cube is pre-lubricated and tension can be tailored to suit your preferred comfort level.

Available on different platforms, you can also purchase this cube toy from Amazon, specifically the Speed Cube Set by Roxenda which is made up of a 2 x 2, a 3 x 3, a 4 x 4, and a 5 x 5 cube in one package. This is very economical because you are able to different challenges in one go. Besides, it only costs ₹ 3,318.00.

Rubik’s 5 x 5 Cube

Of all the cubes this is the most complex one and due to its sheer difficulty in completing, it is referred to as the professor’s cube. It contains 25 squares on each of its 6 faces that are differently coloured. To solve this cube you can use your knowledge of the 4 x 4 x 4 or the 3 x 3 x 3 cubes.

Provided by various toy manufacturers, the Rubik’s 5 x 5 Cube still stands out from the rest. There are various designs available in the market for purchase, however, the sides remain consistent. You can purchase this cube toy from both Flipkart and Amazon online stores at different prices depending on the manufacturer. For example, the Agami Black QiYi Qizheng 5 x 5 High Speed Rubix's Cube is available on Flipkart for ₹ 359.00.

Dreampark Pyraminx Pyramid Speed Cube Black

Source www.amazon.in

This is a 3 x 3 x 3, 4-sided pyramid cube that has an anti-pop structure whose tension is adjustable. The anti-pop structure ensures that turning the piece is fast and smooth and it makes corner cutting balanced. The pyramid is made up of triangle pieces that are black in colour whose edges are covered with non-fading coloured stickers.

In addition, this cube toy has a unique triangle design which makes it more interesting to solve. It is available on Amazon for ₹ 2,000.00. To make the deal sweeter, shipping is free and you don't need to incur any additional shipping charges.

Emob High Speed Pyraminx Stickerless Triangle Cube Puzzle

This is one of the most unique cube toys in the market for it is among the first to be an equilateral pyraminx which is easy in handling. In addition, it has the ability for you to stop whenever you want in a more efficient way and not too fast. Besides, the cost is not very expensive for it costs only about ₹ 239.00 on Flipkart which is a very affordable price considering the great product itself.

Some other advantages of this toy cube is the fact that it rotates very smoothly due to its flexibility which is combined with its outstanding colours. It also has a total of twelve non-centre face pieces which eases the process of solving it. It is also important to understand the versatility of this cube toy for it can be solved by children of age 3+ years.

Interested in Solving a Cube Toy? Here are Some Pointers for Beginners

  • Understand Your Toy Cube and Also the Colours Present: Familiarise yourself with your cube toy from the colours present, understand whether it’s a 2 x 2, a 3 x 3, a 4 x 4, or a 5 x 5 type of cube toy. This is essential in understanding the moves you are going to make and the side you are going to start with.

  • Formulate a White Cross: In this process start finding the solution with the white colour. Therefore, ensure that you first formulate a cross of white cubes. This will leave you with its edges to solve. In this case ensure that you are beginning with a 3 x 3 cube toy. This is because this process is applicable for this type of cube.

  • Solving the Corners of the White Layer: The next step is to try solving the white edges of the side with the white cross. Since you have five more sides to cater for, it is important to take note of that. Therefore, in the process of finding the white edges, ensure that the sides of the cube formulate Ts of the other four colours. This is important for it will help when solving the last piece.

  • Solving the Middle Layer (Yellow Layer): The middle layer is composed of different colours on different sides, therefore, since you have the Ts already in place, find the yellow T. Then provide the last layer of three cubes. In the process, make sure that the other sides with Ts are not compromised. Also ensure that you try to avoid misplacing the different colours.

  • Solving the Last Layer: This is an automatic step since while you were solving the other sides, the last colour collects itself in the sixth side of the cube. And now you are all done!
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From our editorial team

Cube Toys - A Puzzle for All Ages

Cube toys are completely age-agnostic - they can be played by anyone from kids to senior citizens. They also have the capacity to keep you engrossed and baffled for hours if you don't know how to solve them. We hope this BP Guide would have helped you to discover the various cube toys currently available in the market and which of these you would like to play next.