Fanxin Banana Cube

Fanxin Banana Cube 2x2x3

Fanxin Banana Cube is a banana-shaped puzzle. Inside, it has a 2x2x3 cuboid mechanism: a cuboid with three layers on one axis and two layers on the others. The whole puzzle is made of solid yellow plastic, with no stickers or coloured faces. Once it's scrambled, you don't match colours. Instead, you restore the banana to its original shape. Fanxin released it in 2019 as part of its fruit shape mod series.

How to solve the 2x2x3 banana

The mechanism works just like a regular 2x2x3. Some layers turn normally by 90°, while the others only turn by 180°, so they move in half turns only. If you know a method for the 2x2x3, you can solve the banana without learning any new algorithms. Orientation is the hard part. All the pieces are the same colour, so you need to follow the curves, bulges and ends of the fruit. That's why a single-colour puzzle can take longer to solve than its coloured counterpart.

This is a collector's puzzle, not a speedcubing cube. Buyers generally praise the turning, but some report that the banana can catch during fast or imprecise turning. This is typical of shape mods with irregular edges. It's best to turn it calmly and keep the layers well aligned.

Who is it for?

This puzzle makes a great gift and shelf decoration for anyone who likes unusual shapes. It will also please collectors of the Fanxin fruit series. If you can already solve a 3x3 and want something new, it's an accessible introduction to cuboids and shape mods. A child who is just getting started with cubes may need some help at first, because without colours it's harder to tell which pieces are in place. The banana cannot be used in official WCA competitions.

Specifications

• Type: banana-shaped 2x2x3 (cuboid) shape mod
• Manufacturer: Fanxin
• Colour: solid yellow (stickerless)
• Dimensions: approx. 153 x 42 x 42 mm
• Weight: approx. 75 g (without packaging)
• Release year: 2019
• WCA competition legal: no