This plain-looking reflective cube lights up into a challenging Rubik's Cube game that's best played in the dark. The Rubik's Pulse Cube, announced by toy maker Spin Master on Tuesday for $20, looks like a grayish mirror when inside of its box.
When turned off, the cube has a more reflective surface. You can somewhat see my skewed reflection in this photo.
Then when tapping its pressable center-square, the cube begins to illuminate the colors on the cube. Adding to the challenge if you play in the dark, the cube blinks faster and faster as it counts down a 60-second timer. If you don't solve it in time (and during my brief play session I certainly did not), the cube will go dark again. You can press the button again to light up the cubes for another 60 seconds of light pulsing.
The Rubik's Pulse Cube on a well-lit desk.
The colors of the cube are slightly visible if you are playing in a brighter location, such as near a window, but in most environments the squares will appear more gray when it's not turned on. It otherwise turns and twists smoothly, and is powered by three coin cell batteries that are replaceable.
While it's a fun trick, I would say the pulsing adds a challenging element to the cube. It adds a speed element since the squares are easiest to see while its lit up, but the blinking can distract from tracking where the colors are moving as you spin the cube. But for someone looking to mix up their puzzle solving by playing in the dark, it's a neat way to create a mini light show.
The Rubik's Pulse Cube goes on sale at Amazon starting Tuesday, arrives to Target later in July and Walmart in October.