Rubik's Cube / Atari Video Cube Review for Atari 2600

It's not really Rubik's Cube; it's a lot easier, and fun.

A pretty good puzzle game

The Atari 2600 may not have Tetris, but it does have Rubik's Cube, originally released as Atari Video Cube. Atari sold Video Cube through the mail-order Atari Club in 1982, which makes for a rare title these days, before re-releasing the game as Rubik's Cube in 1984.

Notably, Atari released Video Cube three years before the development of Tetris, and seven years before the handheld version of Tetris helped sell Gameboys by the millions. In other words, Atari made a great puzzle game, years before anyone played Tetris.

And whether you call the game Video Cube or Rubik's Cube, it's just as fun and addictive as any good puzzle game.

To be clear, this is not a video game version of a Rubik's Cube. For years, I stayed away from this game, because I imagined it was boring and impossible. I missed out!

Atari Video Cube presents layers of strategy and logic

Your goal is the same as a Rubik's Cube: fill all squares of each side with a solid color.

Thankfully, the mechanic is different than in real life, uniquely formatted for an ideal Atari experience. Imagine peeling the stickers off an actual Rubik's Cube, but limited in where you can move and place them, dependent on what sticker you're currently holding. Okay, that sounds confusing, because it is in real life.

On Atari, it's not confusing. It's intuitive and fun.

Hubie-Marvin, our "elfin" protagonist, turns green when he holds a green square, and so on.

You can't step over a square of the same color; you've got to manage six locations, as sides of the cube; you've got to use your brain. The lack of enemies or combat allows you to focus entirely on completing the cube. Like any good puzzle game, it's all about the flow state here.

This game requires a different variety of strategy, visual memory, and logical brainpower than twitch-based Atari games. For instance, Video Cube is more about planning than responding. How will you turn the cube to get to the middle right square of the red side? Can you pause to finish another side on your way, and where is that last blue piece? I'm talking layers. It's awesome.

We need to talk about this Hubie fellow, or elf, or whatever

You control Hubie, a "little elfin figure" according to the Video Cube manual. So since this "elfin figure" wheres an elf hat, is he also an elf? That's yet another puzzle, and one we may never solve.

As Hubie, you pick up colored tiles and drop them to pick up another color. Hubie's color matches the color you're currently holding, which is clever and convenient.

The epic tale of Hubie's descent into madness

Hubie's backstory, detailed in the manual, is totally bonkers. To be clear, he is called "Marvin" in the Rubik's Cube manual, and "Hubie" in the Atari Video Cube manual. I prefer "Hubie" because, obviously, it rhymes with "cubie," and feels way more elfish than "Marvin."

Apparently, Hubie was some dude who "squared his shoulders" when people called him a "blockhead" about his "checkered past." Yeah, the manual writer packed every square-related pun into this story. Seriously, if I could write manuals for Atari in the 1980s, it would be a dream job.

The crazy part, like actually crazy, is Hubie's utter obsession with squares. He counts sidewalk squares, sleeps in a square bed, and only eats squarish food, like cube steak, for his "three square meals a day."

Spoiler alert! In short, Hubie slides into a psychotic obsession. He sees squares everywhere. The obsession reaches its peak when he wakes up on a giant Rubik's Cube, which to me means he's sitting in a mental hospital and hallucinating the whole thing. Regardless, it's heaven for Hubie. Now he can fulfill his obsession with squares, by mastering the cube, which he does; he can finish it in 33 seconds, making him the "Cube Master." Go, Hubie!

Since Hubie is ambiguously elfish, he reminds me of the guys from Dark Chambers. They also wear elf hats, I think. Maybe Hubie hallucinated Dark Chambers, too, after becoming obsessed with Dandy. And whoever gets that reference, thank you for reading.

A Video Cube reboot? (Please?)

I think Atari Video Cube is a better name than Rubik's Cube, because you're literally playing a "video cube." Also, "Rubik's Cube" is a misleading title, in regards to mechanics. I don't know the history, but I imagine Atari wanted to cash in on the popularity of the Rubik's Cube. However it happened, they licensed the name from Ideal Toy Corporation.

I think Atari Video Cube is a great property to reboot as a fresh Atari puzzle game. It could really resonate, especially with new elements such as power-ups, special squares, and lots of pretty colors. Hubie could even be a mascot, of sorts. I think adding "Video Cube" to the "Recharged" series would be too intense for this casual puzzler, though, so it should be its own game. Imagine "Atari Video Cube: Squared." Yeah? No? I need to know if this idea is bonkers, or if I am.

I finished an actual Rubik's Cube once just to prove I could do it. Fortunately, this game is a lot easier, and I didn't have to resort to Google to solve it.

Good graphics

Atari Video Cube features a simple and smooth rotation effect when you turn the cube, which looks great on the 2600. The photo doesn't do justice to the animation. It looks good!

The colors are varied and bright, and Hubie is likable enough in his goofy elf hat. He has running, standing, and climbing sprites! When an Atari character has multiple movements, it's kind of a big deal. Compare Hubie to another blockhead, the static square of Adventure, to see what I mean.

You can win at Video Cube, but you can't exactly beat it

You can't "beat the game." You can only beat your own time or score, the latter based off of your number of moves. I prefer the time option, and though I played it half a dozen times, I couldn't beat four minutes. I'm totally going to practice.

My four minute score looks pathetic compared to Hubie. Good luck beating his 33 seconds!

There are four game variations where you can watch the elfish dude scamper at top speed. These are basically demos. Seriously, Hubie spins around the cube like it's a speed run, and it kind of is, though I would argue more casual.

Tips and Tricks

As the manual indicates, you are supposed to watch the demo screens to learn some good tips and tricks. But Hubie moves so fast, I can't tell what he's doing. Slow down, master!

I recommend flipping the switch to the "beep" effect that occurs when you're blocked; the "buzz" effect is grating.

Video Cube automatically runs a demo if you don't start a game.

If timing yourself or your moves isn't challenging enough, some game variations black out squares or limit your directions. I found the game was fun enough without these arbitrary handicaps, though if you're a Cube Master like Hubie, you may want to give these tricky versions a try.

If I wrote Hubie's story . . . it would be something like this

Geometry World boasts the best shapes in the universe. Flat shapes cover the ground, such as triangles and trapezoids. Three-dimensional shapes fill the sky, such as cones and spheres. But the most mysterious shape of all is the Video Cube.

The Video Cube features six different colors over 54 tiles, the brightest colors in Geometry World. An old Geometrian, who was alive when the Video Cube was just a baby square, claims that if anyone can align all of the colors and finish the cube within 32 seconds, the secrets of the universe will be revealed to them, and all of Geometry World may live in peace and harmony.

Hubie, being utterly in love with all things square, follows his obsession to get to the Video Cube. First, he must pass the trials of the Adventure rectangle maze, the Desert Falcon pyramid, and the many Q*Bert Cubes (he can't find Q*Bert's Qubes, for it is much too rare). Hubie's persistence pays off, and one day he finally beholds the almighty Video Cube with its stunning colors.

For years, Hubie practices the Video Cube, until he becomes the Cube Master. However, he cannot get his time lower than 33 seconds. If only he can reach 32 seconds, then the secrets of the Universe will be revealed to him.

Finally, Hubie sends a message across Geometry World: Come to the Video Cube, all who are able and willing, and I will teach you in the ways of the Cube Master. Then, perhaps you will achieve 32 seconds, and the mysteries of the Universe will come to you, and we may all live in peace and harmony.

You are a Cube Pilgrim. You have traveled far from the other side of Geometry World, with many toils and adventures on your journey. You have seen shapes you didn't know existed. And now you are ready to learn from the Cube Master, and bring peace and harmony to all. Good luck!

Final Atari Video Cube / Rubik's Cube Review:

Video Cube is a solid, addicting puzzle game, released years before Tetris defined the genre. I'm aware that not everyone enjoys this game as much as I do. Personally, however, I think Video Cube has great gameplay and unique design, and makes for a damn fun time.

Video Cube is an Atari 2600 gem. Atari could make some bucks if they developed a modern, colorful version of Video Cube. Imagine an app that everyone's hooked on!

I recommend Atari Video Cube for everyone!