LanLan Love of Butterfly Ice Cube

LanLan Love of Butterfly Ice Cube

LanLan Love of Butterfly Ice Cube is a cube-shaped puzzle that only looks like a 3x3. Its faces have curved cuts that together form a pattern resembling butterfly wings. Underneath, it uses a completely different mechanism from a classic cube. This version belongs to the limited Ice series: the body is made of purple plastic instead of the standard black.

How it turns

3x3 algorithms won't help you here. The puzzle turns around its edges and corners (edge turning and corner turning), so you need to think more like you would with a Helicopter or Skewb type puzzle. After a few moves, the cube loses its shape, which is why it is in our shape-shifting puzzles category. The challenge is not only the colors but also restoring the shape and the pattern on the faces.

According to user reviews, the puzzle turns decently right out of the box. However, a few drops of lube noticeably improve the smoothness of the turns. This is not a speedcubing cube, so don't expect high TPS from it. What matters here is the solving itself and understanding the mechanism.

Ice version

The mechanism and shape of the Ice version are the same as in the regular model. The difference is the plastic, and therefore the look. The purple body stands out in a collection and looks great on a shelf, even when you are not playing with it. If you prefer the classic look, keep in mind that it is solved exactly the same way as the black plastic version.

Who is it for?

Mainly for people who can already solve a 3x3 and want to try something different. It is also a great choice for collectors of unusual puzzles. If you know the Skewb or the Helicopter Cube, it will be easier for you to understand how these moves work. For a child's first puzzle, it's better to choose something simpler, as this one requires patience and spatial thinking.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Type: shape-shifting puzzle (edge turning and corner turning)
• Size: 57.5 mm
• Weight: approx. 159 g
• Version: Ice (limited)
• Color: Purple