WitEden Icosahedron Mixup Magic Cube

WitEden Icosahedron Mixup Magic Cube

On the outside it's an icosahedron, and on the inside there's a 3x3 Mixup mechanism. The WitEden Icosahedron Mixup Magic Cube is a shape mod of the Mixup cube, cut into the shape of an icosahedron. The puzzle turns like a 3x3, but it also has moves a regular cube can't do. That's why we've placed it among our shape-shifting puzzles.

How Mixup works

On a regular 3x3 cube, the middle layer turns 90 degrees. On a Mixup, you can stop it halfway, after a 45-degree turn. You can then turn an outer layer, and centers and edges swap places. On the icosahedron version, these moves quickly break the regular shape of the puzzle. After a scramble, you first need to restore the shape and move the pieces back to their positions, and only then continue solving it like a 3x3.

Mixup also has its own parities that don't exist on a standard cube. Centers can end up in the wrong positions or be wrongly oriented, a single edge can be flipped, and two edges can be swapped. This is the main challenge of this puzzle, and if you already know the 3x3, it's a great exercise in thinking about the mechanism instead of just repeating algorithms.

How it turns

This is not a speedcubing puzzle, and it shouldn't be judged like a speed cube. Lockups are normal on Mixup-family puzzles, and corner cutting is very limited. You need to align the layers carefully before the next move. The Icosahedron Mixup turns rather heavily, so it's best solved at a relaxed pace, without chasing TPS.

Who is it for?

For anyone who solves the 3x3 confidently and wants something more challenging than yet another cube with the same mechanism. It's also a great pick for collectors of shape mods and unusual puzzles. It's a poor choice as a child's first cube. Without knowing the 3x3, it will be hard to solve, and the stiffer mechanism may be discouraging.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: WitEden
• Type: shape-shifting puzzle, 3x3 Mixup shape mod in the shape of an icosahedron (20-faced solid)
• Mechanism: 3x3 Mixup with 45-degree middle layer turns
• Size: approx. 60 mm
• Weight: 128 g
• Color: Black