GAN 356 ME Minions

GAN 356 ME Minions: a magnetic 3x3 cube in a Minions edition

This is an official, licensed GAN x Minions edition based on the GAN 356 ME, one of GAN's more affordable magnetic 3x3 cubes. The look is new, but inside you get the 356 ME mechanism: 48 Turbo Magnet Capsule 2.0 magnetic capsules, GES Pro+ tension adjustment and a wing-shaped core. That means it works for regular practice, not just as a gadget on the shelf.

How it turns

The 356 ME has a fairly smooth and controllable feel, and corner cutting works well for a cube in this price range. The magnets clearly pull each layer into place, so turns are easier to control and overshooting happens less often. This is especially helpful if you are just learning to turn faster. Some people find the slightly louder, clicky turning sound a bit distracting. The contact surfaces of the pieces have a honeycomb pattern designed to reduce friction.

GES Pro+ adjustment

The centers use the GES Pro+ system with 12 settings: 4 levels of elasticity (spring compression) and 3 levels of center travel (how far the centers can move). Looser settings make the cube more flexible and faster. Tighter settings give you more stability and less popping during aggressive turning. This makes it easy to set the cube up the way you like it, without unscrewing anything or swapping springs.

Minions edition vs. the standard 356 ME

The differences are in the looks, not the mechanism. If all you care about is how the cube turns, the standard GAN 356 ME will perform exactly the same. The Minions version makes sense as a gift or for Minions fans. Don't confuse it with the 356 ME V2: that one has a UV coating, while this edition is made of matte stickerless plastic.

Who is it for?

A great first magnetic cube for a child who loves the Minions, and for anyone switching from a non-magnetic cube. For casual solving it works well straight out of the box. An advanced speedcuber choosing a main for competitions will probably go for a higher-end GAN model with MagLev and treat the 356 ME more as a backup or collector's cube.

Specifications

• Type: magnetic 3x3 cube
• Manufacturer: GAN
• Size: 56 mm
• Weight: approx. 78 g
• Magnets: 48 Turbo Magnet Capsule 2.0 capsules
• Adjustment: GES Pro+, 12 settings (4 x elasticity, 3 x center travel)
• Core: wing-shaped core
• Color scheme: Stickerless Bright, matte surface