Rubik's Revenge Cube 4 X 4
by Hasbro Games
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List Price: Our Price: $9.99 You Save: $3.00 (23%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of Rubik's Revenge Cube 4 X 4
Customer Review: Great If You Can Modify It
Summary: 3 Stars
I received a Rubik's Brand 4x4 cube for Christmas this year. I can solve the 3x3 in about a minute and a half each time, I was looking for something harder and this new cube fits the bill perfectly. Up to a point, it is not like a 3x3, and is entirely intuitive. However, you can eventually turn it into a scrambled 3x3, and you solve it the same from that point on. Except for parity. Parity is a situation that can occur on a 4x4 but is not possible on a 3x3, and it requires at least two huge, horrible, difficult, chalenging, and crazy algorithms that you must memorize. But, it is very fun to solve and I recomend every Rubix enthusiast to get one.
Now, about the quality of this particular cube. My problem is with the stickers. The internal mechanism, a sphere, is fine. The physical construction of this thing is great. It moves well, and is very sturdy. But the stickers are not durable. Within three days, they began to peel. I then decided to take a risk, and customize it. I took it apart, and painted each piece individually with epoxy, then I scraped the excess epoxy off the insides of each individual piece once it dried. I then lubed it with WD40 and Vaseline, while putting it back together. The result, a professional looking and moving cube. It took a lot of time, but I think it was worth it. However, that amount of work would not be necessary if Rubik's were to spend about 5 cents more on each cube and get better stickers. The quality of the stickers deduct two stars from this otherwise five star cube.
I would recomend that you look at other brands for you 4x4, like Eastsheen, or maybe a tiled cube. Or, you could purchase better stickers for about a dollar and put them on yourself as soon as you get this cube. Or you could turn it into a frankencube as I have done with mine. But except for the poor stickers, this is a great cube, very chalenging and fun, and anyone will enjoy it.
Customer Review: Handle with care
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this cube because I taught myself to solve the 3x3 and I wanted a new challenge. It's certainly a lot of fun and really gets you thinking - if you enjoy the regular cube, you'll definitely get a kick out of this. (I've had it a couple of weeks and can now solve it but it still takes me a while. I won't be solving this in under 5 minutes for some time, methinks!)
However, it does need to be handled carefully. Although the cube is actually larger than the regular 3x3, the blocks that make up the cube are smaller and because it's 4x4, there's not single central square on each face to form a foundation. With all this in mind, you have to be careful when you turn it as the slices may not turn as smoothly as the 3x3 and a piece might go flying. That happened to me after about a week. I had to squeeze it back in again. I then found that I'd put the piece back with the incorrect orientation so I had to try and pop it out again and put it back correctly. Not easily done.
Also, yes, the stickers are more prone to start coming off - I want to say it's because the pieces are smaller but that's more a gut feeling that anything else. I think it's because the slices don't turn as smoothly as a result, so your fingers are rubbing against the edges of the pieces more - hence, the stickers are more likely to start coming away from the pieces. Just my theory.
Anyway, if you're careful with it, then give it a shot. I have no regrets yet about buying mine and am looking forward to solving the 5x5!
Customer Review: All the fun of the original, with several distinct differences.
Summary: 5 Stars
I received this for Christmas, as I had been messing with the 3x3x3 and could solve it in around 2 minutes (not too fast but it had stopped being challenging).
The 4x4x4 has several aspects that make it very different from the 3x3x3. First, it has no fixed centers. There are four center pieces to each side and they can move around the cube. This also means that the edge pieces can get separated and move around. Once you have solved for the centers and edges, it can be solved in much the same way as the 3x3x3. I feel that this cube, with so much more going on (16 colored stickers per side as opposed to 9) has made the 3x3x3 seem much simpler and will help me solve it faster.
So, if you know how to solve the original cube, then this is a great, fun challenge. Of course, if you don't know how to solve the 3x3x3, then this will only be even more frustrating.
I do have a minor gripe, the cube tends to 'catch' often when I'm trying to turn it. With use, this has gotten better, and soon I think it won't even be a problem. But keep in mind that there will have to be a pretty good break-in period.
Customer Review: 4 X 4 Rubik's Cube is bigger and better than the original!
Summary: 5 Stars
After having finally conquered the brain-twisting original 3 X 3 cube, I was eager to try the next level. I wasn't disappointed. While many of the techniques for solving the 3 X 3 cube are transferable to the 4 x 4, the 4 X 4 cube also presents several new and interesting twists, no pun intended, that make for a much more challenging puzzle. After a few minutes at it, you'll understand why it's called the "Revenge". Solving the puzzle for the first time is a feat sure to fill you with lasting smugness. But soon you're at it again, endeavoring to master the solving techniques and best your previous time. Though slightly larger than the 3 X 3 version, the Rubik's Revenge is still quite comfortable to grip and easy to manipulate. However, my hands are on the larger side, so people with small hands may find the cube a bit difficult to handle. As far as durability goes, if this cube can withstand the hours of merciless twisting punishment of my brutish man hands, you can bet the average person will get some great mileage out of it. A fun and challenging puzzle for problem solvers of all ages!Customer Review: 4x4 Rubik's cube a bigger challenge than expected!
Summary: 3 Stars
As an 11-year-old, my daughter learned to solve the classic (3X3) Rubik's cube in nothing flat, and so had requested the 4x4 for her 12th birthday. It has proven more of a challenge than she'd expected, and I notice she's not using it as often as I'd anticipated, not carrying it around with her after the first week nor focussing (yet) much on its possible solutions. But when I asked her for comments to enter here, she was very enthusiastic and affirmative. One issue is that she cannot turn it as quickly as the 3x3, not just due to its larger size, but also to the inherent greater stresses in the construction (and good that the product description warns of its comparative delicacy.) But Amazon offers it at a good price (glad to see these puzzles alongside the books and DVDs!) and I expect it will prove a favored occupation on a long train trip we'll be taking soon!