WitEden & Oskar 3x3x4 Mixup Cube

WitEden & Oskar 3x3x4 Mixup Cube

WitEden & Oskar 3x3x4 Mixup Cube is a puzzle from the Mixup family. The mechanism was designed by Oskar van Deventer and brought into mass production by WitEden. When solved, it looks like an ordinary cube, but the middle layers can be turned by 45 degrees. This unlocks moves that a classic cube doesn't have, and edges and centers start swapping places. The 3x3x4 designation means the cube has four layers along one axis instead of three. The cube has a black body and measures about 66 mm.

How Mixup works

On a regular 3x3 cube, every piece has a fixed place: a center stays a center and an edge stays an edge. On a Mixup, after a 45-degree turn, centers can move into edge positions and vice versa. A scrambled cube therefore loses its shape, which is why you'll also find it in our shape-shifting puzzles category. Solving is split into two stages: first you restore the shape, then you solve the colors. Along the way you'll run into situations you won't know from the 3x3. For example, centers can sit in their correct places but be wrongly oriented, and a single edge can be flipped on its own, without a second one to pair it with.

How it turns

This is not a speedcubing cube, and there's no point judging it like a modern magnetic 3x3. Straight out of the box, the turning is usually rough, and catching and layers snagging happen often, especially with 45-degree moves. Users report that it gets noticeably better after loosening and lubing, although occasional catches may remain. Try not to let it pop apart, as putting this mechanism back together is difficult.

Who is it for?

For people who can solve the 3x3 confidently and are looking for a puzzle that makes them think differently than a classic cube does. The Mixup is also a great pick for collectors of Oskar van Deventer's puzzles. If you enjoy adjusting and lubing your cubes yourself, you'll get the most out of it. We don't recommend it as a first cube or as a gift for a child who is just starting out.

Specifications

• Type: shape-shifting puzzle from the Mixup family, 3x3x4
• Manufacturer: WitEden
• Mechanism design: Oskar van Deventer
• Size: approx. 66 mm (approx. 6.3 x 6.16 x 6.1 cm)
• Special moves: 45-degree turns of the middle layers
• Body color: black