Toys and Games

Rubik’s Cube Review

THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER'S OWN.

Reviewed by Kathryn Harrison

It was Fear of Missing Out that made me want to review the Rubik’s Cube. How I’ve got to 41-years of age without having owned one is beyond me, after all, it is the best selling puzzle in history, with over half a billion of them sold across the globe! I wanted to be part of the global phenomenon as well as introducing my girls to this iconic toy.

As soon as the Rubik’s Cube exited its packaging, the kids started twisting and turning the colourful cube. The instructions are straightforward. The Rubik’s Cube has six different sides, each made up of nine colourful squares. The aim of the game is to jumble up the colours and then return the cube to its original state, with every side having one solid colour. Sounds simple. I think we all know that it isn’t. My 5-year old insisted she’d be able to solve it. 8 minutes 17 seconds later, she declared it ‘impossible!’

The Rubik’s Cube is a highly addictive brainteaser that has fascinated fans for decades. 2020 was infact it’s 40th anniversary. I’ve always regarded it as a symbol of intelligence; and despite my determination, my Rubik’s is highly unlikely to be resolved. Although I’m fully aware my brain isn’t hardwired to the challenge, I won’t stop attempting it. I regularly pick it up and throw around a few manoeuvres. It’s the original fidget toy; keeping your hands busy and as proved on car journeys, gives the kids something to concentrate on. The Rubik’s Cube may well help improve fine motor skills, hand-to-eye co-ordination and concentration, but I think I’ll have to draw the line at its ability to reduce stress. My five- year-old isn’t the only one having tantrums at her failure to complete the task in hand!

The Rubik’s Cube is a classic colour-matching puzzle that can be enjoyed at home or on the move. It’s one of those toys that’s easy to throw in a bag and can be resurrected time and time again to provide a spot of entertainment. Quite a few variations of the product have come to market since it was introduced in 1980, but l was keen to stick to the original; the classic 3×3 Cube. There are… wait for it… 43,252,003,274,489,856,000  (43 quintillion) ways of arranging the squares, and only one of these is the solution. I challenge you to solve it.

Of course, when the husband saw the kids playing with our new addition to the toy box, he launched into a spiel about peeling stickers off the cube and re-gluing them in the correct spots. Unluckily for him, the new and improved Rubik’s Cube not only features a mechanism that results in a smoother, faster and more reliable play, the traditional stickers have been replaced with plastic tiles which means no fading, peeling or cheating!

What I hadn’t realised was that the world’s most successful toy actually started life as a puzzle created by Professor Ernő Rubik to teach architectural students. What we do have now, that we didn’t 40 years ago, is the Internet. When you’re feeling defeated by this challenging cube, you have the option to visit the brand’s website and access downloadable and mobile friendly solution guides. Their YouTube channel too is packed with entertaining videos to suit all skill levels; cleverly adding to the fun, rather than taking it away.

All in all, I know I’m never going to solve the Rubik’s Cube but that won’t stop me having fun trying.

Rating: 4/5

RRP: £8.99

This product can be purchased from Argos, Smyths, Amazon, The Entertainer, Next and Tesco.   For more information please visit the Rubik’s website here.

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