Shengshou Petaminx

ShengShou Petaminx

ShengShou Petaminx is a 9-layer megaminx, the dodecahedral counterpart of a 9x9 cube. In the minx family it comes after the Megaminx (3 layers), the Gigaminx (5) and the Teraminx (7). ShengShou released this model in 2018. Before that, the Petaminx was mainly a collector's puzzle: the first ones were handmade, and mass production only came later. The ShengShou version is one of the more affordable ways to add one to your shelf.

Size and weight

This is a big, heavy puzzle. It measures about 139 mm across and weighs about 1.2 kg, so you hold it with both hands while solving. It's made for long, relaxed sessions rather than chasing times. It has no magnets, and the Petaminx is not an official WCA event.

How to solve it

The method is similar to big NxN cubes. First you build the centers on each of the 12 faces, then you pair the edges, and finally you solve the whole thing like a regular Megaminx. If you already know the Megaminx and reduction on 4x4 or 5x5 cubes, you won't need any new techniques. You just need plenty of patience, because a solve takes a long time. For your first minx, the classic Megaminx is a better choice.

Tension adjustment

Tension is set with adjustment screws. With a puzzle this large, it's worth doing at the start, because the tension determines how easily the turns go through and how stable the pieces are.

Color versions

The Petaminx comes in two body colors: Black and White. Both versions have stickers, and a full set of spare stickers is included, which comes in handy if any of them wear off.

Specifications

• Type: 9-layer megaminx (Petaminx), regular dodecahedron
• Manufacturer: ShengShou
• Size: approx. 139 mm
• Weight: approx. 1234 g
• Magnets: none
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Body color: black or white, with stickers
• Release year: 2018
• Official WCA event: no
• Included: puzzle, full set of spare stickers