YJ MGC Megaminx

YJ MGC Megaminx

YJ MGC Megaminx is a magnetic megaminx from the MGC series by YongJun, released in 2018. It was the brand's first factory-magnetized megaminx. At that time only a few such puzzles were on the market, including the Galaxy V2 M, Galaxy V2 L M and GAN Megaminx. Today there are more magnetic megaminxes, and the MGC is one of the more affordable ways to get a competition-legal magnetic megaminx.

Mechanism and design

YJ didn't go for the simple design used in most megaminxes. The mechanism is based on ideas from the FangShi ShuangRen and the FangShi megaminx. The centers have large protrusions that reduce the internal angle taken up by the edges. The edges, in turn, are widened so that the centers and edges together form a continuous ring. The surfaces the pieces catch on are heavily rounded, which improves corner cutting. The edge bases are single-layer. The corner bases have an extra protrusion on the inside that rubs against flat torpedoes. The torpedoes and corner feet are made of undyed plastic.

Look and grip

Ridges run along the edges of the puzzle to improve grip while solving. The corners are noticeably wider relative to the edges than on most megaminxes. The size is approx. 74 mm, and the puzzle weighs approx. 160 g. The stickerless bright version has bright, easy-to-distinguish colors.

YJ MGC Megaminx in practice

Turning is very light and fast. In this respect, the MGC stood out among megaminxes right from the start. Corner cutting is good, but not outstanding. It is limited by the geometry, namely the large corners. The magnets are medium strength and don't click strongly. Compared with the MGC 3x3 cubes, however, they are noticeably stronger. Reviewers for whom megaminx is their main event list lower stability, a tendency to corner twists and a fairly large size as downsides. Right out of the box you can also hear the springs, which lubing usually helps with.

Tension adjustment

Tension is set with screws. The set includes three types of springs of different stiffness and spare washers, so you can set up the puzzle more for speed or more for control.

It's a great choice if you want your first magnetic megaminx, or if you're an enthusiast looking for a fast, light puzzle. If megaminx is your main event, you should compare the MGC with newer, more stable models.

In the box you'll find:

1. the puzzle
2. a set of spare washers
3. two extra sets of springs: soft (smallest) and hard (large); the medium ones are installed in the puzzle
4. a set of spare magnets
5. solving instructions