SengSo Crazy 3x3 Magic Tower

SengSo Crazy 3x3 Magic Tower

SengSo Crazy 3x3 Magic Tower is a ShengShou puzzle (the brand now operates as SengSo) from the Crazy series. It is shaped like a tetrahedron, with a 3x3 cube mechanism working inside. So the base is a regular 3x3 Magic Tower. The difference is that the centers on each face are split into a round disc and an outer part. The faces are slightly pillowed, and the model was released in 2021.

How the mechanism works

The disc on a face does not turn together with it. It only moves when you turn the corner (tip) opposite that face. These extra pieces move differently from the rest of the puzzle and have to be solved separately. That makes the moves hard to predict if you only know the classic Magic Tower.

Difficulty

The split centers raise the difficulty, but the mechanism as a whole is not very complicated. If you can solve a 3x3 cube, you have a good foundation, because the pieces underneath behave just like on a 3x3. On top of that, though, there is the shape change and the orientation of the discs, so your first solve usually takes longer than you might expect. Solving instructions are included.

Build quality and turning

Straight out of the box it turns very well, and there is nothing to fault in the build quality. This is a puzzle for your collection and for fun, not for setting times. It is not allowed in official competitions, so smooth turning and no lockups matter more here than TPS. It is made of colored plastic without stickers (stickerless bright), so nothing will wear off or peel.

Who is it for?

For anyone who can already solve a 3x3 and wants a shape-shifting puzzle with extra rules. It also makes a great gift for a collector. If you collect the ShengShou Crazy series, you will find the same disc idea known from the Crazy 3x3 and the Crazy Megaminx, this time in a tetrahedral shape. As a child's first puzzle, a standard 3x3 cube is usually a better choice.

Specifications

Manufacturer: ShengShou (SengSo)
Type: shape-shifting puzzle on a 3x3 mechanism, Magic Tower with split centers
Height: approx. 79 mm
Weight: approx. 84 g
Adjustment: adjustment screws
Color: stickerless bright
Release year: 2021
WCA: no

In the box

1. puzzle
2. solving instructions