Spin Master just flipped the script on the world's most famous puzzle. The company's new WOWCube replaces traditional colored stickers with 24 tiny LCD screens, creating a $299 gaming device that bridges 50 years of puzzle history with modern mobile gaming. Pre-orders start now ahead of holiday shipping.
Spin Master just launched the most expensive Rubik's Cube ever made, and it might actually be worth it. The company's WOWCube, developed in partnership with tech startup Cubios, replaces the iconic colored squares with 24 individual LCD displays, creating what amounts to a handheld gaming console disguised as the world's most famous puzzle.
The device officially opens for pre-orders today at $299, with shipping planned ahead of the 2025 holiday season. That's a steep price jump from the $15 traditional cube, but early demonstrations suggest the WOWCube delivers genuine innovation rather than just premium packaging.
Spin Master acquired the Rubik's brand in early 2021 for $50 million, and the WOWCube represents their most ambitious attempt to modernize the classic toy. The collaboration with Cubios began in 2024, bringing together Spin Master's licensing power with Cubios' technical expertise in multi-screen gaming devices.
The WOWCube's 2x2 form factor makes it simpler than the traditional 3x3 puzzle, but the LCD screens unlock entirely new gameplay possibilities. Racing games let you connect track pieces across different faces of the cube. Puzzle games like Cut the Rope adapt to the cube's physical rotation mechanics. Even classic titles like Space Invaders and 2048 get reimagined for the multi-screen, motion-controlled format.
Motion sensors throughout the device detect tilting, shaking, and tapping gestures, while Bluetooth connectivity links to a companion mobile app that serves as both controller and content store. The WOWCube app store launches with a mix of free and paid titles, plus an SDK for developers interested in creating cube-specific games.
Battery life clocks in at five hours per charge, with a proprietary charging dock that cradles the cube. The charging system's unique design accommodates the cube's rotating mechanism but sacrifices portability - this isn't something you'll easily pack for travel.
The gaming library obviously can't compete with iOS or Android app stores in terms of volume, but the curated selection focuses on experiences that genuinely benefit from the cube's unique interface. Productivity features include customizable widgets for weather, calendar appointments, and stock prices, plus screensavers that turn the cube into a tiny digital aquarium.
