WitEden & Oskar 4x4x3 Mixup Cube

WitEden & Oskar 4x4x3 Mixup Cube

Mixup is a family of puzzles designed by Oskar van Deventer and mass-produced by WitEden. The WitEden & Oskar 4x4x3 Mixup Cube is the basic 4x4x3 version of this puzzle. Although it is shaped like a cube with sides of approx. 66 mm, its layers are divided like those of a 4x4x3 cuboid. We offer the black-body version.

What is a Mixup?

In the Mixup series, the middle slice can be turned by 45 degrees, not just 90. After such a move, you can make further turns in which edge and centre pieces swap places. The puzzle then stops looking like a cube with a typical layer layout. When scrambled, it changes shape, and the familiar methods for solving a 4x4x3 cuboid have to be extended to deal with the swapped pieces. That's why the 4x4x3 Mixup is best suited to someone who can already comfortably solve the 3x3 and 4x4, and ideally a cuboid as well.

How does it turn?

To be honest: this is a collector's puzzle, not a speed cube. It has no magnets, and the Mixup mechanism is fairly fiddly by nature. At first, turning can feel rough, and catching and lockups can occur if the layers are not precisely aligned. According to feedback from users of the Mixup series, the mechanism improves noticeably after a few solves, and even more once you apply lube. It's best to turn calmly and keep the layers aligned, as fast turning usually gets in the way with this puzzle. Reassembling the puzzle after taking it apart is difficult, so disassembling it without experience is not a good idea.

Other Mixup versions

WitEden has released the Mixup series in several sizes: 3x3x3, 3x3x4, 4x4x3 and 4x4x4. It has also released variants labelled Plus, Edge-Split and Edge-Rebuilt. This product is the basic 4x4x3 Mixup. In the Edge-Split versions, the edges are additionally cut and, when positioned correctly, you can turn through their middle, so don't confuse them with this model.

Who is it for?

For collectors and anyone who enjoys unusual shape-shifting puzzles and is looking for a new challenge after classic cubes. For a first cube, or for a child who is just starting out, a regular 3x3 cube is a better choice.

Specifications

• Type: Mixup puzzle, 4x4x3 layout in a cube shape
• Manufacturer: WitEden
• Design: Oskar van Deventer
• Size: approx. 66 mm
• Magnets: none
• Body colour: black