Currently busy researching and writing 2 university assignments so not around much. Thanks for all y...
Currently busy researching and writing 2 university assignments so not around much. Thanks for all your comments, I will get back to you soon. x
Member since:01.03.2007
Reviews:13
Members who trust:9
I decided to do a review on the not so new but still as tricky toy which became a major craze back in the 1980's....why? Perhaps a little stupidly I decided to take on a challenge put to me to complete this 3 by 3 cube square, without cheating and within x amount of time. Not thinking this through properly I decided yes....how hard can it be???? Anyway I remembered playing with it as a child.....it could be fun
*****History*****
The Rubik's cube was invented by Erno Rubik a Hungarian Professor of Architecture and Design. It was launched in 1980 and became the fastest selling puzzle ever in just one year! Over 250 million cubes have been sold.
Apparently most cubes (once scrambled) can be solved in just 17 moves with the aid of a computer and theoretically there is no cube that requires more than 20 twists to solve it, however I can not prove this lol.
*****Buying*****
Well firstly
I had to acquire one of these bundles of joy.....I didn't want to order one off the internet, although it probably would of been quicker. Eventually after a bit of shopping around I managed to acquire one in the children's shop The Entertainer, there was the option of buying the key ring instead but at £5 for an item no bigger than a small tin of Vaseline I had decided that the larger Rubik's cube was the way forward.
Now this Rubik's cube was a lot of packaging....and little content, not that I was expecting more than a Rubik's cube but after all the environmentally friendly debates flying around I would have thought there wouldn't be so much wastage. It comes with the 3 by 3 square Rubik's cube which is around 2" in length, width and height which fits nicely in the palm of my hand. There is also an instruction leaflet which provides you with the seven step solution guide....just in case not solving the cube by yourself is driving you round the bend. There is also a small black triangular stand provided which the Rubik's cube sits on nicely when you are not playing with it.
I did find that some other shops retailed this product. These are as follows: House of Fraser, Borders (the key ring and the 4 x 4 square version), as well as internet sites such as Amazon and eBay.
*****Product Information*****
Recommended for 8 years + to adult. Colours and parts may vary. Manufactures for & Distributed by Drumond Park Ltd. Rubik's is a trademark of Seven Towns Ltd. Made in China.
*****The Solution Guide*****
Briefly looking over this guide it seems a little complicated, especially considering the fact that the company suggests this game is suitable for 8 years plus and to test this theory I asked my 11 year old niece what she could do with the cube from the solving instructions....and the results were as I suspected, she found them useless.
However if you sit down and read them from beginning to end they do make sense. It shows you the labels for each side in a diagram so that when you come to moving a piece in a direction you know what and which way. The order in which to move pieces of the cube is given in a code which is explained at the start.
The guide uses diagrams to show the position of the coloured squares both before and after you have completed the required moves which are given in the code stated to you at the start of the guide. As you advance through the sequence of moves provided they do become longer, but as long as you refer back to the code when necessary it's manageable.
To make you feel better it states that you don't have to complete the entire cube to have fun. Completing one side or creating rows or diagonals is just as much fun and may better suit the time you have available to spend playing. It also suggests other challenges which are a step down from completing the whole square, which brings familiarisation with the cube and achievement when you complete the goal you set.
The guide also refers you to the Rubik products online site where you can play with the virtual cube or the virtual cube solver for free, as well as access other resources on the website.
*****The Cube*****
As I have stated the cube is 3 x 3 squares, featuring 6 different coloured sides, a total of 54 individual squares (9 of each colour). The colours of this particular square are red, blue, yellow, green, white and orange. The colours are quite bright making the object more appealing to both adults and children alike.
It has the Rubik's Cube logo printed on the central white square of this cube to show it's an authentic product.
Initially I found that the product was hard to twist and move, this is normally when first using a new cube as the mechanisms are stiff. This loosens after a few hours of playing with the cube.
*****Overall*****
This puzzle is a classic as the selling figures suggest. It is ideal for someone who likes a challenge, even if you complete this puzzle once you can time yourself or as the record holder does blindfold yourself, put your hands behind your back and complete it in under a minute!! Everyone can set there one personalised goals and feel a sense of achievement.
You don't need anything other than the cube to play unlike most puzzles and games out on the market today. It is suitable for children to adults and provides hours of playing time....it's not thrown away once it has been completed (like computer games).
It's also useful for building logical thinking skills. It may be an alternative to children playing a games console which isn't very stimulating and gives you a chance to get your TV back.
Downsides are that yes it is a little frustrating and yes it does take longer than I originally anticipated but for many it will hold a sentimental value as it does for me. I personally would recommend this product.....but it's not for all.
Pictures of Rubik
Cube
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Also you could mention all the wonderful and clever patterns you can make with it. The same colour on each face is not the only challenge.
imogen49 16.04.2007 17:31
Sorry I didn't understand if you solved it or not. I would say there should not be a solution guide. When I first got it, that was it. It was better to try it yourself. 3 x 3 is a bit on the easy side nowadays I should think. So the 4 x 4 would be a little bit more challenging
drawcabia 07.04.2007 16:33
When my cousin was about 7 or 8 she amazed her parents by solving it! And then they realised she had pulled the stickers off and swapped them around! Now that's intelligence!
Advantages: Very good for passing time. Can be Fun. Small, easy to handle. Pocket toy, can be used on the move Disadvantages: Can be very time consuming. Can get very annoying. Can get boring if your too good at it!
Apr 3rd, 2007
very helpful by (97%):
helpful by (3%):
