Video Game Consoles by Generation, Part 5 Codexery

Rubik's WOWCube

A motion-controlled gaming cube with 24 screens.

The Rubik's WOWCube is a handheld electronic gaming device shaped like a 2×2 cube, developed by Cubios Inc. in partnership with Spin Master, the owner of the Rubik's brand. It is notable for its 24 LCD screens and motion-based controls, allowing games to be played by twisting, tilting, and shaking the cube rather than using traditional buttons. An earlier version, the WOWCube Entertainment System, was included in Time magazine's list of the '100 Best Inventions of 2021.'

Quick Facts

Manufacturer
Shenzhen Mineiwing Electronics Co.
Developer
Cubios Inc.
Family
Rubik's
Price
US$299 (launch price)
Os
CubiOS
Cpu
8 embedded processors
Display
24 IPS LCD panels
Input
Gyroscopes, accelerometers, microphones
Controllers
Device itself (twist, tilt, shake)
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Power
3600 mAh battery
Dimensions
2.75 x 2.75 x 2.75 in (70 x 70 x 70 mm)

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The WOWCube concept dates to 2016, and Cubios Inc. was registered in 2017. In 2024, Cubios announced a partnership with Spin Master, the company that owns the Rubik's brand, to release a new version called the Rubik's WOWCube. Pre-orders opened in 2025 at a launch price of US$299, ahead of the 2025 holiday season. This version is an update of the earlier WOWCube Entertainment System, released under the official Rubik's brand.

The device is made from eight connected modules arranged as a 2×2×2 cube, with 24 small IPS LCD screens on the outside. The cube can be twisted like a normal Rubik's Cube while the modules remain electronically connected. Each module contains its own processor and motion sensors, and the device includes speakers, microphones, and a battery system. According to launch specifications, the cube uses eight processors and a battery of around 3600 mAh.

Games are controlled primarily by physical movement—users twist cube parts, tilt or shake the device, and in some games tap on the screens. The system can also display simple apps and widgets such as a clock, weather, and photo animations. Software is installed through a smartphone application, with the cube connecting via Bluetooth to download games or widgets from an app store.

Reader's Guide

The Rubik's WOWCube represents a niche intersection of physical puzzle and digital gaming, drawing on the legacy of the Rubik's Cube while incorporating modern electronics. Its significance lies in its unconventional control scheme, which replaces buttons with twisting, tilting, and shaking—a design that garnered attention from Time magazine's '100 Best Inventions of 2021' for the earlier WOWCube Entertainment System. The 2025 version, released under the official Rubik's brand, continued this approach with licensed games such as Cut the Rope and Space Invaders.

Reception of the 2025 Rubik's WOWCube often focused on its US$299 launch price. PC Gamer questioned whether the device worked as a puzzle or novelty gadget, while Hackaday's Maya Posch noted uncertainty about which market the product was aimed at. Forbes described it as a hybrid of game console and puzzle, and a 2026 Newsweek hands-on article called it a blend of physical puzzle and digital gaming. The Toy Insider presented the device as a STEM-oriented product based on the Rubik's Cube.

In 2026, the official Rubik's WOWCube System entered the collection of The Strong National Museum of Play, catalogued in the museum's Electronic Games department under object numbers 126.1046, 126.1047, and 126.1048. This institutional recognition underscores its place as a distinctive artifact in the history of electronic gaming devices.

Did You Know?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rubik's WOWCube?

The Rubik's WOWCube is a handheld gaming device shaped like a 2×2×2 cube, featuring 24 IPS LCD screens across its faces. It was developed by Cubios Inc. in partnership with Spin Master, the company that owns the Rubik's brand.

How do you actually play games on the Rubik's WOWCube?

Rather than relying on buttons, the WOWCube is controlled through motion—you twist, tilt, and shake the cube to interact with games. All 24 screens work in tandem to render the game across the cube's surfaces.

What hardware does the Rubik's WOWCube use?

The device contains eight processors and a 3600 mAh battery housed within its 2×2×2 cube body. Its display system consists of 24 IPS LCD panels spread across the cube's faces.

When does the Rubik's WOWCube come out and what's the price?

Pre-orders for the WOWCube opened in 2025, with a launch price set at US$299. It is positioned as a premium motion-controlled handheld gaming device.

How does the Rubik's WOWCube relate to the earlier WOWCube Entertainment System?

The WOWCube Entertainment System was a predecessor product that earned a place on Time magazine's '100 Best Inventions of 2021' list. The newer Rubik's WOWCube expands on that concept with a refined 24-screen, motion-driven design and dual-brand backing from Cubios Inc. and Spin Master.

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