Besides the classic Rubik's Cube itself, this game features a number of fun variations on the theme:

• Cover Up involves trying to hide the entire Rubik's board with towers of tiles.
• In Zigthrough, control colorful block strings with the keyboard arrows towards a marked goal, breaking through the colored cube barrier.
• Rubik's Playground involves getting the required number of balls to the exit hole on the board. There are 4 types of balls (rubber, iron, plastic, and bomb) that roll on the board according to the laws of physics, encountering different items along their path. For example, the iron balls are heavier, less bouncy, and are attracted to magnets.
• In Paint War, try to paint 21 squares in your chosen color or get rid of all the opposing pieces.

Rubik's Classic allows players to attempt to solve the classic cube, as well as cubes of various sizes (including the mini, maxi, and giant cubes). Players can also engage in a progressively more difficult Rubik's Challenge with becoming a Rubik's Master as their ultimate goal. Working with the cube on screen is not quite as intuitive as manipulating a real-life cube, but the benefits of trying to solve the cube on the computer include the ability to "undo" errorlessly and to get tips and hints.

This program presents the fascinating (? depending on your interests) story of the Rubik's Cube, a free play mode, and a step-by-agonizing-step tutorial on how to solve the Cube. There even is an Unscramble Your Scrambled Cube option which allows users to recreate their real-life cube on the screen, then watch and learn as the cube is unscrambled for them.

There is a little something for every puzzle lover in this program. Even those who are not fans of the Rubik's Cube will find the other games quite a departure from the classic puzzle, and really quite playable. Each game takes only a few minutes to learn -- the rules are laid out for you, and instructions are clear -- not to mention the fact they are really quite fun, and unquestionably addictive. Rubik's Playground was the most popular game with kid testers aged 9 and 10, and provided quite a mental workout.

Technically Speaking
Minimum requirements are Windows 95/98, a Pentium 133 processor, 32 Mb RAM, and 8X CD ROM. Requires DirectX version 6.0 (included).

Skills Covered
Visualization, memory, strategy, spatial skills.

Educational Value
These games require some strategy and thinking skills to master. Many of the games become more challenging as the game progresses, but the levels are laid out so that players are eased into bigger challenges.

Entertainment Value
The games are surprisingly addictive and appealing.

Design
Loads of options and difficulty levels are available to customize the game exactly to your liking. Background graphics are a little dull, and the music could have been a little more interesting, but all in all, this program is easy to use and very playable. Tips and Help for every game are readily available.

Replayability
There is not only a good variety of games to play, but also loads of levels and variations that will keep puzzle lovers busy for a long time.

Dollar Value
Suggested retail price is only $20 US.