WitEden Mixup Plus 4x4x4

WitEden Mixup Plus 4x4x4

WitEden Mixup Plus 4x4x4 looks like an ordinary 4x4 cube in black plastic, but it changes shape as you solve it. The layers turn by 90 degrees and also by half that move, which is 45 degrees. This move shifts pieces into places they could never reach on a classic 4x4x4 cube. After a few such turns, the puzzle no longer looks like a cube. It is a puzzle for collectors and anyone who enjoys shape-shifting puzzles. It is not a speedcubing cube.

How the Mixup mechanism works

The first Mixup cube was designed by Oskar van Deventer. He combined a classic 3x3x3 cube with an Equator-type puzzle, in which the rings turn by 45 degrees. WitEden's mass-produced Mixup Plus series appeared in 2012. In this version each ring has 16 pieces, while the original had 8. In the 4x4x4 variant some of the rings are split further, so it is made up of more, smaller pieces than the 3x3x3 version.

What to expect when solving

You first restore the cube shape and only then solve the colors. Edges can end up in center positions and vice versa, so you need to keep track not only of the colors but also of where each piece is located. The WitEden version can bandage: in some positions pieces block certain layers from turning, and you have to make other moves first to unblock them. Collectors also mention cases where, after the shape is restored, two central edges remain misoriented. It is worth knowing this before you buy.

Who is it for?

The Mixup Plus 4x4x4 makes sense for someone who can comfortably solve a 4x4 cube and is looking for a puzzle that makes you think rather than just turn fast. It also fits well into a collection of shape-shifting puzzles. For a first cube, including one for a child, a classic 4x4 model is a better choice. If you already know the 3x3x3 Mixup, here you get the same idea in a harder version.

Specifications

• Type: Mixup shape-shifting puzzle based on a 4x4x4 cube
• Manufacturer: WitEden
• Moves: 90° and 45° turns
• Size: approx. 60 mm
• Color: black (Black)