YuXin 1x3x3 Mirror Cube

YuXin 1x3x3 Mirror Cube

YuXin 1x3x3 Mirror Cube is a mirror cube built on a floppy cube mechanism, a flat 1x3x3 puzzle. It is only one layer thick, and each of the four outer faces turns 180 degrees. Unlike a regular floppy cube, the pieces differ in size rather than colour. Just a few moves and the cube loses its square shape and starts forming irregular blocks. The shop offers it in the Black version.

How do you solve it?

With mirror cubes you look at the shape, not the colours. When solved, the cube is a regular, flat block. After scrambling, you need to read the height and width of the pieces to work out which turn will bring back the correct shape. There are far fewer moves than on a 3x3, because only half turns of the outer layers are allowed. This means you can solve the puzzle intuitively, without learning algorithms from a sheet.

This is not a puzzle for breaking records, nor a cube where things like corner cutting or magnet strength matter. It is a simple, pocket-sized puzzle. It works well as a break from standard cubes or as a first taste of shape mods before you move on to a full-size 3x3 Mirror Cube.

Who is it for?

It is a great choice for a child who is just starting out with puzzles. The small number of possible moves means progress shows quickly, and the changing shape is more engaging than simply moving colours around. An experienced cuber will more likely treat it as a curiosity for a mirror cube collection or a small add-on to a larger order. It is light and flat, so it easily fits in a pocket or pencil case.

Specifications

• Type: 1x3x3 mirror cube (floppy), shape mod
• Manufacturer: YuXin
• Moves: 180-degree turns of the outer layers
• Colour: Black
• Dimensions: approx. 60 x 60 x 20 mm
• Weight: approx. 41 g