FanXin Nautilus Cube

FanXin Nautilus Cube

FanXin Nautilus Cube is a Square-1 shape mod. The mechanism is the same as in the classic Square-1, but the puzzle has a different shape: when solved, it resembles the spiral shell of a nautilus rather than a cube. FanXin released this puzzle in 2019. The version on sale is stickerless bright, meaning it uses coloured plastic instead of stickers.

How it works

It turns just like a Square-1. The top and bottom layers rotate independently, and the middle slice makes a 180-degree turn. A Square-1 loses its cube shape when scrambled anyway. The Nautilus adds a changing shape of the whole puzzle on top of that, because the pieces are different sizes and the puzzle is not symmetrical. Once scrambled, it is hard to tell where a given piece should go back. You have to watch not only the colours but also the size and shape of the pieces.

Knowing the Square-1 helps a lot, because the moves and the general solving approach stay the same. Even so, the Nautilus demands more attention than a regular SQ-1 and can keep even someone who already solves the Square-1 busy for quite a while.

Who is it for?

The Nautilus Cube is a great pick for collectors of unusual puzzles and for those who already solve the Square-1 and are looking for a harder variant. It also looks good on a shelf. It is not a cube for speed training and it is not permitted in official WCA competitions. If you are just starting out and don't know the Square-1 yet, it is better to master the classic version first. Learning on the Nautilus alone can be frustrating.

Specifications

• Type: shape-shifting puzzle, Square-1 modification (shape mod)
• Manufacturer: FanXin
• Colour scheme: stickerless bright
• Dimensions: approx. 96 x 81 x 61 mm
• Weight: approx. 97 g
• Adjustment: tension adjustment screws
• Release year: 2019
• WCA legal: no