As someone who enjoys both modern and retro tech and toys, I was pleased to have the opportunity to combine both eras while reviewing the new WOWCube. The device is a modern take on the Rubik’s Cube from the 1980s, but it offers far more versatility and entertainment than its inspiration.
Before diving into what the WOWCube can do, it is worth looking at what comes in the box. Along with the cube itself, the package includes a charging dock, a braided USB-C charging cable, a power adapter, a cleaning cloth, a carrying case, manuals and even a WOWCube sticker. The generous selection of accessories is appreciated, as it removes the need to track down extra cables or power bricks to get started.
One important point to address before getting into features is the price. At $399.99 at the time of this review, the WOWCube is far from an impulse purchase. It is considerably more expensive than I would typically be willing to spend on a toy without careful consideration.
“At $399.99 at the time of this review, the WOWCube is far from an impulse purchase.”
So what exactly is the WOWCube? At its core, it is a 2×2 Rubik’s Cube that replaces coloured stickers with small screens, allowing users to interact with menus and games directly on the device. The WOWCube is made from high-gloss black plastic, which, while visually striking, shows fingerprints easily after being set down or used under bright lighting. Although the included cleaning cloth helps remove smudges, a matte finish would have gone a long way toward hiding marks during everyday use.
Menu navigation relies on motion-based inputs similar to those found in Bop It-style toys, including twisting, tapping and shaking the device. These controls are quick to learn, but during testing, the WOWCube sometimes registered inputs incorrectly or failed to register them at all. This is an area that would benefit from refinement in a future update, along with the addition of sensitivity adjustment options in the settings to further improve the user experience.
The WOWCube features its own app store, which includes a solid selection of games alongside several useful utility apps. There are also display-style apps designed to showcase the device when it is not in use. One standout is the aquarium app, which turns the WOWCube into a miniature virtual fish tank that can sit in the palm of your hand or on a desk or nightstand.
As with a traditional Rubik’s Cube, gameplay revolves around twisting the device in different ways to solve puzzles or complete challenges. While I am far from an expert at solving a Rubik’s Cube, I have always found the challenge appealing. The ability to mix things up with other games, such as 2048 or Cut the Rope, adds welcome variety and offers new ways to engage with the cube during short bursts of downtime.
That said, while the games available for the WOWCube are entertaining, their inherent gameplay limitations mean the novelty can wear off fairly quickly. Many titles rely on similar mechanics, primarily rotating sections of the cube to achieve objectives, which can start to feel repetitive. This is less likely to be an issue for children, who will likely find the games easy to pick up and enjoy. For adults, however, the appeal may be more limited. When passed around among friends and family, the consensus was that the WOWCube was fun and visually interesting, but only for short periods of time.
When it comes to productivity-focused use, the WOWCube’s app selection is more limited. Most offerings are timer-based tools, though there is also a dedicated widget app that can display information such as the time, weather and phone notifications. Available features vary depending on whether the device is paired with an Apple or Android phone. While the widget app proved useful, setup was somewhat finicky and required a bit of trial and error to configure correctly.
“The ability to mix things up with other games, such as 2048 or Cut the Rope, adds welcome variety and offers new ways to engage with the cube during short bursts of downtime.”
With a 3,600 mAh battery, the WOWCube delivers several hours of use before needing a recharge. I was never able to drain it in a single session and regularly managed multiple play periods before the battery ran low. Charging is straightforward, as the device simply rests on the included dock. Long-term durability of the dock remains a question, however, as the charging contacts sit between the cube segments and the connecting hardware feels thin and potentially prone to damage over time.
Overall, the WOWCube is an interesting concept that introduces a novel way to play games in a distinctly retro-inspired form factor. Children are likely to get hours of entertainment from it, though the appeal may be more limited for older audiences. There is an undeniable novelty factor, and it often sparks conversation when people see it. At $399.99, however, it is a difficult sell when high-end consoles such as the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 are priced in a similar range while offering far larger game libraries.
If the price were to drop significantly or if further versatility were added, it might be easier to justify the price, but until then, if you can afford the steep cost, the WOWCube offers something different in the market.
