Megaminx cube is a dodecahedron-shaped twisty puzzle consisting of 12 center pieces, 20 corner pieces, and 30 edge pieces that can be solved either using 3×3 intuition or through learning specific Megaminx algorithms.
Beginner methods typically require memorizing short sequences of three to six moves; more advanced algorithms can perform orientation and permutation in even less steps.
How to solve
The Megaminx is a dodecahedron-shaped twisty puzzle similar to Rubik’s Cube with 12 faces and 50 movable pieces, featuring 12 twisty corners for solving. Solving it requires using similar techniques but will take much longer due to its larger surface area. Solving one of these puzzles is an excellent way of strengthening finger dexterity, developing mental skills and relieving stress relief.
Megaminx puzzles can be more challenging than regular cubes as they feature twice as many sides; however, using some of the simpler solutions from Rubik’s Cube will quickly bring it together. Complex algorithms may require additional memorization but don’t deliver similar results.
Megaminxes come in various color schemes, but one of the more popular schemes involves white, yellow, blue, green and red pieces with opposite faces having similar hues. There are also special shape variants such as Hexaminx and Impossiball which use unique hues on all faces while featuring deeper turning planes.
An effective approach for solving Megaminx puzzles is starting from one corner of an already completed star and moving outwards from there. Once finished, all edge pieces should fit on to subsequent layers before finishing with corners on last layer and D vertex at top vertex.
Basics
If you’re familiar with solving the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube, Megaminx should present no difficulty, though there may be different algorithms and terms to learn. Basic moves remain similar while some algorithms change slightly to accommodate for new corners – corner moves are often denoted with L (left), R (right) or D (down), with clockwise turns indicated by an L while anticlockwise ones by R.
The Megaminx features 50 movable pieces compared to 20 on a standard cube and offers numerous variations, such as shapes and color schemes. Two main variants exist – 6-color Megaminx that uses colors found commonly in puzzle cubes such as white, yellow, blue, green red orange – while 12-color Megaminx offers unique colors for each face of its puzzle cube.
Other variations include the Gigaminx (5x5x5) with higher-order centers, and Hexaminx (6x6x6) which has deeper turning planes. Kilominx, Impossiball, and Holey Megaminx with no center pieces were inspired by the Void Cube puzzle; one of the world’s most beloved puzzles known for its complexity, flexibility, and unique shape – and one of the hardest to solve on its own without assistance.
Intermediate
The Megaminx (commonly referred to as the Magic Dodecahedron) is a twisty puzzle similar to Rubik’s Cube in terms of shape but with 12 center pieces, 20 corner pieces, and 30 edge pieces arranged around its edge edges. First created in 1982 by Dr. Christoph Bandelow and later popularized by Uwe Meffert as Megaminx; its popularity eventually spreading worldwide under Uwe Meffert’s moniker Megaminx; it comes with various variations like Hungarian Supernova Ball B and variants with flags.
Solving the Megaminx can be more complex than solving a three-by-three, as you must learn different algorithms than what are normally employed when solving Rubik’s Cubes (FRU notation). A key difference lies in solving its bottom layer’s white star; that means you must also know how to solve its five white side edges individually.
Wolstenholme notation makes memorizing sequences easier and more intuitive, using lowercase letters for layers and an apostrophe to indicate anticlockwise turns; Ll (left inner), Rl (2L), and dR (3L) all represent equivalent steps in an algorithm. While advanced cubers typically use this notation, newcomers may find it more challenging. As an alternative option, more familiar FRU notation may be more appropriate.
Advanced
The Megaminx is a dodecahedron-shaped twisty puzzle similar to Rubik’s Cube in shape and style, boasting 12 faces and 50 movable pieces for WCA competitions. Solving its solution involves similar algorithms as those for 3×3 cubes but requires additional steps at the end of its solution process.
The Megaminx differs significantly from its regular Rubik’s Cube counterpart in that its edges feature duplicated color combinations (as with Rubik’s). This presents additional challenges when solving it due to multiple possible edge swaps between visually identical pairs than can occur on its surface; finding valid parity positions becomes significantly harder due to this complexity.
Megaminx puzzles allow for errors to orient a single corner or edge incorrectly; something which is impossible with regular cubes. In this situation, use dR turns to move it back to its operating slot before continuing with your algorithm until all corners are in their correct places and permutating top layer edges (gray side) per the same method used on 3x3s (final step is permutating gray sides using same algorithm as for 3×3) This part can be very tricky but is well worth your efforts!
