# X-Shaped Rubik's Cubes The X-Cube Was Created By Some Very Sadistic Individual By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-08-29 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xcube References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/if-evil-were-a-puzzle-it-would-look-like-this-x-shaped-1627395144) & [firebox](http://www.firebox.com/product/6730/The-X-Cube?via=whatsnew&aff=512&awc=550_1409252249_badecb76db3ecedac31beed8d4548eb8&utm_source=AffiliateWindow&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_content=Skimbit&utm_campaign=TextLink) If you're anything like me, you probably have a very hard time solving Rubik's cubes or coming anywhere close to solving them, which is why the X-cube, a savagely X-shaped Rubik's cube, seems like an idea borne out of pure evil. But if you're more adept at puzzles than low-puzzle-IQ individuals such as myself, you might just appreciate the X-cube. This sadistic toy is made up of only [52 moving parts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edge-piece-puzzle) and 102 colored stickers, but what obviously sets it apart from [regular Rubik's cubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rubiks-run) is the fact that there are 125 decillion possible ways to arrange it, or two quadrillion times more than a regular Rubik's cube. What that means is that if you mess up the X-cube, you don't just have a mass of colors all jumbled up, but pieces sticking out in all directions. If that sounds like fun to you, you can pick up one of these for $42. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 10% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Complex Rubik's Cubes:** Discovering new variations of Rubik's cubes with complex designs and challenging solutions can captivate puzzle enthusiasts. - **Extreme Puzzle Challenges:** Creating puzzles with significantly more combinations and intricate mechanisms than traditional Rubik's cubes can provide new levels of challenge and satisfaction for puzzle enthusiasts. - **Unique Puzzle Designs:** Introducing innovative and unconventional shapes, such as the X-shaped Rubik's cube, can attract puzzle enthusiasts looking for novel and unique puzzle experiences. ### Who This Affects Most - **Toy Manufacturing:** Developing and manufacturing complex Rubik's cubes and unique puzzle designs can target the puzzle enthusiast market and contribute to the growth of the toy industry. - **Educational Toys:** Incorporating complex Rubik's cubes and extreme puzzle challenges into educational toys can enhance cognitive development, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities in children and adults. - **Entertainment and Gaming:** Expanding the market for unique puzzle designs, including X-shaped Rubik's cubes, can create opportunities for incorporating these puzzles into entertainment and gaming industries, providing engaging and challenging experiences for users. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Micro-Sized Puzzle Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smallest-rubiks-cube.md) - [Smart Rubik’s Cube-Style Puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gocube-22.md) - [Branded Denim Puzzle Cubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/levis-x-rubiks-cube.md) - [Interactive Gaming Cubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rubiks-wowcube.md) - [Celebratory Puzzle Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/50th-anniversary-rubiks-cube.md) - [Cubic Color-Changing Puzzle Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rubiks-33-phantom.md) - [See-Through Piece Puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transparent-jigsaw-puzzle.md) - [Tetrahedral Desk Puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/desk-puzzles.md) - [Challenging Infinity Puzzles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lizard-infinity-puzzle.md)