Solving a Megaminx cube should come naturally if you are familiar with solving a 3×3 Rubik’s cube; its algorithms are very similar but there may be slight variances when it comes to its final layer.
GAN’s GES nuts feature different strength springs to allow for customization of stability and feel of Megaminx puzzles, with exposed moderate strength magnets for improved performance.
The Basics
The Megaminx is a dodecahedron-shaped puzzle made up of 50 movable pieces. Similar to Rubik’s Cube but more difficult, its main steps of solving are similar. However, working on each face at once to keep your progress manageable and avoid becoming overwhelmed with the amount of moves required to solve each layer.
To solve a Megaminx, the first step should be solving all corners on its bottom layer using similar algorithms as for 3×3 cubes; focus on each opposite corner simultaneously before solving. Once this step has been completed, moving up to solving its top layer becomes possible.
Memorizing algorithms that efficiently orient and permute the last layer’s corner and edge pieces requires memorizing more algorithms that orient and permute them with less moves than beginner algorithms – this requires more memorization and repetition but is an excellent way to increase speed. Once top and bottom layers have been solved, all that remains is to orient center pieces and complete the puzzle; once completed you’ll be amazed at how quickly it was solved; having this skill will enable you to improve problem-solving in all aspects of life
The Middle Layer
As an experienced puzzler, you are likely familiar with solving the classic 3×3 Rubik’s Cube. This bodes well since many of the skills required to solve a Megaminx are similar; just keep in mind there may be additional algorithms specific to this dodecahedron-shaped twisty puzzle which add a level of difficulty when solving.
When solving a Megaminx, it’s best to begin at one corner and work your way around to all four faces gradually – this will prevent becoming overwhelmed and will make the process more manageable.
Once the first corner has been solved, the next step should be constructing a white star on the middle layer. This step resembles creating the yellow cross on a 3×3, but with five white edges. To do so successfully, move each center piece so it matches its surrounding sides using left/right algorithms from earlier in this tutorial.
The 12-color Megaminx is legally competing in World Cube Association competitions (though other color schemes may be used). It poses an extra challenge than its 6-color variants as there are 15 pairs of visually identical edges which must be properly placed; otherwise there will be swaps that cannot be resolved without disassembling.
The Bottom Layer
Although most people can easily solve the first layer of a Megaminx, its second can prove more challenging due to specialized algorithms that differ from what’s typically seen on Rubik’s Cubes.
The Megaminx is a dodecahedron-shaped puzzle made up of 12 faces and center pieces, 20 corner pieces, 30 edge pieces, and 6 edge connectors that may be arranged in multiple ways. Corner pieces feature two colors each while edge pieces share one color with their adjacent face center – though this cannot be changed via twisting – however all other colors on a face cannot be interchanged between faces.
As one can imagine, this creates visually identical pairs that cannot be swapped out – 15 in total on a 6-color Megaminx! They include diagonal and mirror-image pairs. However, this issue occurs less frequently with 12-color Megaminx sets, the only legal version for World Cube Association competitions.
To complete the bottom layer of a Megaminx, first locate two matching edges on one of its lower side faces, and then apply an algorithm for moving them into position. This process resembles that of 3×3, though requires you to memorize longer algorithms with more permutations possibilities.
The Top Layer
Contrary to a 3×3 Rubik’s cube, Megaminx does not require specific algorithms in order to solve its top layer; rather it is typically quite straightforward if you have already employed techniques for its middle and bottom layers.
Once you have created a white cross on one face of the top layer, using FRU notation is similar to using a classic Rubik’s cube: simply rotate its pieces by inserting apostrophes to indicate anticlockwise turns rather than clockwise ones.
The Megaminx is an intricate dodecahedron-shaped puzzle featuring 12 faces and 50 movable pieces to rearrange. Originally invented independently by multiple individuals, different manufacturers produce it with slightly different designs; Uwe Meffert eventually purchased some patent rights and continues selling Megaminx puzzles through his shop under that moniker.
Puzzle-solving activities have many advantages for you as an individual, including cognitive improvement and helping prevent cognitive decline; enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills; mindfulness meditation practice; stress relief, as well as teaching how to approach problems more systematic. Solve puzzles today!
