The 4×4 Cube is the Rubik’s Revenge version of the 3×3 cube. It was designed by Sebestény Péter. Unlike the classic 3×3 Cube, the 4×4 has no fixed centerpieces. And therefore, the Rubik’s Revenge is quite a challenge to solve.
The Cube has 24 edge pieces, 24 centerpieces and 8 corner pieces. It’s mechanism is almost similar to that of a 3×3, except that the centrepieces are held together with a hidden center. Here are a few shape modifications or types of the 4×4 Cubes that you should know.
1. Octahedron
The Octahedron puzzle also known as Skweb was originally invented by Tony Durham. The puzzle is quite a modification of the Pyraminx. This is because it works on the same mechanism of the axis. When you disassemble the puzzle you would notice it has the same cores. What’s more is that the corners are instead the centres while the other pieces are the edges. Though it may seem like a cube, at first sight, the axes of rotations in the Skweb pass through the corners of the cube rather than the centres. Since it is a deep-cut puzzle, each movement influences all six faces.
2. Fisher Cube
The 4×4 Fisher Cube is another shape mod and works on the same mechanism. The Fisher cube has cuts rotated at 450 around the white-yellow axis. This means that the red-green-orange-blue edges and the centres can be swapped while the white-yellow edges and corners can be swapped. Solving the Fisher Cube is quite similar to that of a classic Rubik’s cube. However, the cube has slightly different edges, corners and centres. If you want to solve the Fisher Cube, you need to first understand the basic differences and the movements that impact these pieces.
3. Bandaged Cube
The Bandaged Cube was originally called the Bicued. The puzzle proves to be a challenge for many. This is because the cube most looks solved even in a scrambled state. Cubios can usually become bandaged when some particular moves are made. Due to its unique design, some desired moves seem impossible. There is, however, just one important piece of this cube: the front corner piece. It is impossible for any layer or face to move without leaving this piece unharmed. This is because everything else is bandaged to a 2x1x1.
4. Windmill
The Windmill cube is also called the Fenghuolun or the Hot Wheels Cubes because of its pattern. The puzzle cuts diagonally across the white and yellow faces, similar to that of the axis cube. What’s more is that the centre rotation of the cube impacts the movements of all the other pieces.
5. Mastermorphix
The Mastermorphix is the tetrahedral shape mod. It is an edge-turning puzzle. Even though at the first glance it might seem like only the corners can be rotated, the puzzle is designed such that the corners can be reshaped into triangles which leads to a variety of irregular shapes. The Mastermorphix is an edge-turning puzzle, and therefore, all the pieces can be permuted – except for the edge pieces. The face centres and corner pieces are interchangeable even though they are shaped differently.
6. Ghost Cube
The Ghost cube is another puzzle modification of the Rubik’s cube. The unique characteristics and features of the cube increase the difficulty in solving it. The Ghost resembles a Rubik’s cube only when it is in a solved state. This is because, in the scrambled state, it can resemble any shape-shifting puzzle and lead you to discover a solution yourself. Though it was invented way back in 2008, the Ghost cube is still considered to be one of the hardest in the family of the Rubik’s Cube. It has also been termed as the Virust or Ninja Cube. The cube itself comes in multiple colours – black, pink, silver, and gold.
7. Mirror Cube
The Mirror Cube is a unique Rubik’s Cube in a uniform color. It also has very unique mechanics. The puzzle is actually made up of different sized blocks. Since it has a uniform colour, you cannot really decipher the movements of the blocks and they create confusion. You can only solve the puzzle when you know exactly what you are looking for. Though it might sound quite simple, a first glance at the incomplete state will leave you or any other Rubik’s Cube veteran perplexed!
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Conclusion
All these modifications of the 4×4 Rubik’s Revenge pan from beginners to advanced skill levels. After solving these cube puzzles, you would definitely fall in love with cubing. And once you get handy with the 4×4, there are many bigger cubes to experiment with. Once you start, it is hard to stop because they are all so different and each of them give you a unique experience and challenge. You can always start from the basics of solving the 4×4 Rubik’s Revenge and then move a level up by solving the other patterns and modifications!