Calvins Puzzle Traiphum Megaminx Ball (6-color)

Calvins Puzzle Traiphum Megaminx Ball (6-color)

Traiphum Megaminx Ball from Calvin's Puzzle is a Megaminx in the shape of a ball. The outer surfaces of the pieces have been rounded, turning the dodecahedron into a sphere. The mechanism and the way it turns stay the same. It's a shape mod, not a new puzzle, so if you can solve a Megaminx, you can solve this ball too. In this version the faces use 6 colors instead of the standard 12. The plastic is black.

How it differs from a regular Megaminx

A regular Megaminx has flat faces and clear edges, so you can see right away where one face ends and the next begins. The ball doesn't give you these clues. You can tell the faces apart only by their colors and by the dividing lines between the pieces. At first it's easy to lose your orientation, even if you solve a Megaminx without any trouble.

The 6-color version makes this even harder. There are 6 colors for 12 faces, so some faces share the same color. When solving, you need to pay closer attention to how the pieces are positioned relative to each other, rather than just looking for the right color. If you'd like to get used to the ball shape first, you can start with the 12-color version with the classic color scheme.

In your hands

You hold the ball differently than a Megaminx, because your fingers have nothing to grip. As a result, turns are slower and more deliberate. Traiphum Megaminx Ball is a puzzle for relaxed solving and for your collection, not for breaking records. It is not a speedcube and doesn't have features typical of flagship models, such as magnets or tension adjustment.

Who is it for?

For those who already know the Megaminx and want to try it in a different form. Collectors of shape mods and unusual puzzles will like it too. It's not a good choice for your first Megaminx. A regular dodecahedron is much easier to learn, and only then is it worth moving on to the ball.

Specifications

• Type: Megaminx, ball-shaped shape mod
• Manufacturer: Calvin's Puzzle
• Color scheme: 6 colors
• Plastic color: black
• Diameter: approx. 74.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 180 g