This $500 'Rubik's Cube' Plays a Mind-Bending Version of Pac-Man (and More)

If you are the kind of person who does not want to solve the cubes, but just wants to feel the click-clack, then the WOW cube may be a more engaging way to fulfill your desires.

I was able to try out the WOW cube. There are eight cubes with three screens each, but it is a cube with six sides. The company demoed a set of games that allowed for some pretty mind bending interactions on the set of games. The way the different sides interacted in the guide-the-ball game caused some problems. A weird version of Pac-Man that was controlled by tilt of the cube was also played.

The WOW cube has been a work-in-progress for a few years, but now it can be purchased. Pre-orders for the system are open, but the device will retail at a higher price after that. There are three games that come with that version. The Black Edition comes with a carrying case, dock station, and metal corner caps to make sure you don't break the screens when you inevitably drop it. There are 21 games built in and a gift card to purchase more.

When a company claims to be the next level in gaming while costing the same amount as I did, I am hesitant. The Wow cube is a fascinating piece of technology. It is a shame that you will have to pay a high price for such a novelty.

The Wow cube is a solid hunk of tech, at least based on my limited interactions with it, it feels heavy without being heavy. Individual touch screens were responsive to inputs. The objects on the screen moved as they were intended in a few games I played. To get it back to the main menu was fun. The best part was how smooth the rotation was. It was immediately gratifying to twist it.

Max Filin, the company's CEO, took apart the device to show that each cube can function on its own, which he said opens up the possibility of playing games on future versions of the WOWCube.

I would love for it to be more than just games for such a price. I would want to spend more time with it before I can say if the price is worth it. Time will tell who will jump on the cube bandwagon, but the company is encouraging more people to develop games.