QiYi O2 Cube Standard Version

QiYi O2 Cube Standard Version

QiYi O2 Cube Standard Version is a very simple puzzle, most often described as a 1x1x1 cube. It has no corners or edges that can be scrambled. Only the coloured centers move, which are the round pieces on each face. They rotate inside the body and travel between the faces. However, they always keep the same positions relative to each other, just like the centers on a regular 3x3 cube. The version available in our shop has a black body.

How it works

Grip a center with your fingers and slide it up, down, left or right. The whole color scheme then rotates inside the cube. The centers have indentations that make them easier to grab and turn with one or two fingers. The colors are not stickers but plastic pieces, so there is nothing to wear off or peel away.

To be honest, the O2 Cube is not a demanding puzzle. Since the centers never change their arrangement relative to each other, solving it comes down to getting the colors onto the right faces. You are never more than two moves away from the solved state. It is more of a mechanical curiosity and something to fiddle with in your hands than a real challenge.

Standard or Spinner?

QiYi sells the O2 Cube in two versions. The mechanism with moving centers is the same. The Spinner version also has a bearing, so you can hold it by two opposite faces and spin it like a fidget spinner. The Standard version does not have this feature and does not spin. It is also slightly lighter.

Who is it for?

For collectors of unusual puzzles, for anyone who wants something to keep their hands busy at the desk, and as a small extra for a younger child interested in cubes. This cube is not allowed in official competitions. If someone wants to learn how to solve a cube or is looking for a speedcubing cube, a classic 2x2 or 3x3 is a better choice. The cube measures 53 mm, so it may feel quite large in a small hand.

Specifications

• Type: 1x1x1 puzzle with moving centers
• Manufacturer: QiYi (QiYi MoFangGe)
• Version: Standard (no spinner function)
• Body color: black
• Size: 53 x 53 x 53 mm
• Magnets: none
• WCA competition legal: no
• In the box: puzzle, solving instructions