OK, I know that it's easy to go overboard when answering this question, so here are a couple rules:

1) You must select no more than 12 puzzles - try to keep only the most essential in your list.
2) All puzzles must be currently commercially available, and not too expensive - nothing super-rare, out-of-print, or hand-made.

The idea is to create a list that anyone, owning no or few twisty puzzles, would be able to use as a guideline to start getting into them.

So with that in mind, here is my list:

1) Rubik's Cube
2) 2x2 Cube
3) 4x4 Cube
4) Rainbow Cube
5) Pyraminx
6) Floppy Cube
7) Tower Cube
8) 2x3x3
9) Megaminx
10 Skewb
11) Square-1
12) Face-Turning Octahedron

Hmmm . . . I have just a few extras.

1) 5x5 (Rubik's preferrably if you're just getting started)
2) Bump Cube or Mirror Blocks
3) Diansheng mini 3x3 (for cubing on the go)
4)Picture Cube
5)3x3xn (where n = odd # > 3)

I just trying to fill in the solving methods you left out. I'm pretty sure everything on both of our lists utilizes a different method or combination of two.

Well, I left those out of my list because I was trying to keep it down in size. They're all very good but if you don't have those puzzles I listed, you probably won't benefit much from owning these. (Also, I didn't include any "mini" puzzles because they're functionally identical to "regular" ones.)

So um, why not write your own list of 12?

That's basically what I thought every collection should have. I think the seventeen between us would make a good starting collection for not a lot of money (okay, I will say that the mini cube may be unnecessary). I think if you wanted to be able to know how to solve almost any cube, that would do it.

12 cubes...I'll think of like this.

1: 2*2 cube
2: 3*3 cube
3: 4*4 cube
4: 5*5 cube
5: Mirror Block
6: Fisher Cube
7: Megaminx
8: Pyraminx
9: SQ1
10: skewb

Can't think of more. I think every collector should start from these cubes. To get different kinds of cubing idea.

Puzzles are in order which they should be purchased.

3x3
2x2
4x4
5x5
Pyraminx
Skewb OR Skewb Diamond
Megaminx

Beyond that, it could really go anywhere. This list just kind of brushes on higher orders and different geometries, so that the cuber gets a taste of everything. The whole thing would go for under $100. Again, some cubers like cuboids and buy a few of those next. Personally, I'd rather go for puzzles in different geometries, like dodecahedra.

EDIT: Wow, blizzardkb's is almost identical to mine, and he gives the same reasoning. I suppose I'm not the only one who considers these to be the essentials.

2x2x2
3x3x3
4x4x4
Pyraminx
Skewb
Skewb Ultimate
Megaminx
3x3x4
Square-1
Face Turn Octahedron
Pyraminx Crystal
Master Pyramorphinx

That will make a good collection already! Solving wise and esthetics!

3x3x3
4x4x4
5x5x5
Pyraminx
Skewb
Sq 1
Megaminx
Mastermorphix

I think that would make a good basic collection that has elements from all of the major catagory. I chose not to add any higher order cubes bucause they are expensive and solving the lower order version pretty much teaches you how to solve the higher order version.

For example, learning how to solve the 5x5 teaches you enough to solve the 7x7 etc.

3x3x3
4x4x4
Pyraminx
Square-One
Megaminx
Helicopter
Face-Turning Octahedron


These are the main axis-type cubes. 2-Axis, 4-Axis, 6-Axis, 8-Axis, and 12-Axis. The 4x4x4 is for master puzzles solving. Any other common twisty puzzle is a variant of these.

I would say:
2x2
3x3
4x4
5x5
6x6
7x7
Megaminx
Square-1
Helicopter Cube
Fisher Cube
Axis Cube
Pyraminx

Well, here's my recommendation - I considered the 5 platonic shapes, and basic types of turning (face, vertex, edge - but not hybrid since those are fairly expensive custom prints), order 1 and higher puzzles.
I've listed an initial 12, spanning what I think is a good representation of different solving experiences.

Then I listed another 12 for extending the basic set, and lastly a half dozen expensive, custom or recent 3D printed puzzles a collector should have...

It should be possible to currently (or in the near future) obtain all of these - I stayed away from rare collector's items (except for the Dogic - seems like Tony Fisher has a few ) and out-of-print items like Meffert's Golden Cube or Bandaged Cube - both of which would otherwise be good choices, too.

They're not listed in order of preference.

[1] Jing's Pyraminx - a reuleaux Halpern-Meier tetrahedron - I prefer this to the Pyraminx since it adds the experience of solving the faces
[2] 3x3x3 Dodecahedron - in lieu of a standard 3x3x3 as it adds orientable centers and it's a nice shape mod
(the 2x2x2 doesn't make the list since solving corners is an integral part of any other FT cube; the 4x4x4 almost makes the list...)
[3] V-7 (Every collection needs some impressive high-order puzzle, and I picked this one. I left off the Gigaminx and Teraminx since many don't move well out of the box, and many folks report they are tedious to solve.)
[4] RD Skewb Kite - a handsome rhombic dodecahedron, in lieu of the basic Skewb since here all pieces need permutation and orientation
[5] Master Skewb - a really nice and inexpensive puzzle
[6] Rex Cube - ditto
[7] Helicopter, or TomZ's Curvy Copter, CCII, CC+ - gotta have an edge-turning cube
[8] FTO (8-axis)
[9] Magic Octahedron (new version 6-axis)
[10] DaYan GEM I
[11] Megaminx
[12] Pyraminx Crystal

[E1] Hoberman Braintwist
[E2] Master or Prof. Pyraminx - Timur's if/when avail in future from Meffert
[E3] Rainbow Cube - possibly the easiest puzzle on the list
[E4] Square-1, Super Square-1, Square-2 - pick your favorite
[E5] Axis cube - a nice shape-shifter
[E6] Crazy 4x4 II
[E7] FF 3x3x4
[E8] Masterball
[E9] Rubik's UFO
[E10] something by Doug Engel - e.g. Battle Gears http://www.puzzleatomic.com/
[E11] Hanayama Dual Rings - Oskar & Bram
[E12] 2x2x4 - doesn't move well, but gives you that shape-shifting experience

[X] Dogic
[X] TomZ's Pentultimate
[X] Eitan's ETO
[X] Litwin's Elemental
[X] Oskar's More Madness
[X] Elite tetrahedron - Chris Hemerich

My order:

3x3x3 Rubik's Cube
4x4x4 Rubik's Cube
2x2x2 Rubik's Cube
Megaminx
5x5x5 Rubik's Cube
Square-1
Pyraminx
Skewb
Pillowed MasterMorphinx
A really good 3x3x3 speedcube.
Master Skewb
DaYan Gem I

That list was for average people. If you're incredibly rich, take a look at the list below:

3x3x3 Rubik's Cube
Eric Vergo's Pentagram
Tom's Master Pentultimate
Tom's Compy Skewb
Megaminx (nice step up from the 3x3x3)
Eitan's Edge Turning Rhombic Dodecahedron
RubixFreakGreg's Split Pentagonal Domino
Square-1 (a little harder than the 3x3x3, but a good thinking challenge)

- 2x2x2
- 3x3x3
- 4x4x4
- 5x5x5
- Pyraminx
- Skewb
- Skewb Ultimate
- Megaminx
- Square-1
- Picture/Centre Orientation required cube
- Floppy Cube
- Pyraminx Crystal



Alex

My list (in no particular order):

• 2x2x2
• 3x3x3
• 4x4x4
• 5x5x5
• Pyraminx
• Megaminx
• Skewb
• Square-1

I would actually leave the list there - no need to go to 12. I consider these to be the absolute basic blocks of a twisty puzzle collection.

Anything more, and you're choosing a direction. 6x6x6 and above, and you're choosing size. Choose the Mirror Blocks, and you're choosing more shape shifting. You could also go the custom puzzle direction as well after this.

Ok here is my list:

2x2x2
3x3x3
4x4x4
5x5x5
Pyraminx
Megaminx
Square-1
Rubik's Magic
Mirror Blocks
Rubik's Snake
Rubik's Domino (preferably the old one, but the new 2x3x3 is ok)
15 puzzle

For the list of 12 it is the best I can think of.

This one should have been on my list. It's such a good basic puzzle.

I'd add the 15 puzzle or Missing Link and the Rubik's Snake to blizzardkb's list. I think at least one moving tile puzzle and the large shapeshifting of the Snake make those a good part of a collection.

3x3x3
4x4x4
5x5x5
Pyraminx
Megaminx
Pyraminx Crystal
Skewb Cube
Face Turning Octahedron
Square 1
Helicopter Cube
Bandaged Cube
Missing Link

1. 3x3x3
2. 4x4x4
3. 5x5x5
4. Pyraminx
5. Megaminx
6. Pyraminx Crystal
7. Skewb
8. Helicopter Cube
9. Rex Cube
10. 3x3x4
11. Halpern-Meier Pyramid
12. Face Turning Octahedron

1. a 3x3 speedcube
2. a good 3x3 speedcube
3. another good 3x3 speedcube
4. one newest 3x3 speedcube
5. a good 4x4 cube
6. a good 5x5 cube
7. a good 4x4 cube with springs
8. another good 4x4 cube with springs
9. a V-cube 5
10. a KO V-cube 5
11. one springed 2x2 cube
12. have I mentioned a good 3x3 speedcube yet?

....oh wait nvm, that's actually a speedcuber's list

I would say any collection should contain at least 12 of mine (There goes my smiley allowance for 2011).

Here's my list:

1. Rubik's Cube
2. a 2x2x2
3. a 4x4x4
4. Megaminx
5. Pyraminx
6. Skewb
7. Helicopter Cube
8. Square-1
9. A Super Cube
10. Floppy Cube
11. Gear Cube
12. Jing's Pyraminx

Some of these, I'm sorry to say, I don't have (numbers 5 and 10).

1. Rubiks cube
2. Golden Cube
3. V cube
4. A shapeways puzzle
5. A void puzzle
6. Hexaminx
7. Pyraminx Crystal
8. A jumbling puzzle
9. A fudged puzzle
10. Fully Functional Siamese Cube
11. Square 1
12. Helicopter cube or Dayan gem

According to a lot of you, I don't have a collection.

My 12:

1. 2x2x2
2. 3x3x3
3. Mastermorphix
4. Square-1
5. Kilominx
6. Megaminx
7. Jing's Pyraminx
8. Skewb
9. Helicopter Cube
10. Pyraminx Crystal
11. Dino Cube(rainbow cube)
12. Mosaic Cube

1.Rubik's Cube
2.5x5
3.Megaminx
4.Skewb
5.Pyraminx
6.Mastermorphinx
7.Hand made Hexaminx
8.Any Octahedron
9.Siamese cubes
10.Jing's Pyraminx

Not in order but these make a great collection.

I think these are some essentials, as others have said.

1. Rubik's Cube
2. Rubik's Revenge
3. Rubik's Professor
4. Pyraminx
5. Megaminx
6. Skewb
7. Skewb Ultimate

On to the more rare...

8. Helicopter Cube
9. Golden Cube
10. Any custom made cube, done by the collector themselves.
11. Hexaminx
12. A lot of others

I would say

1. 3x3x3
2. Helicopter cube
3. FTO
4. Skewb
5. Square-1
6. Pyraminx
7. Megaminx
8. 4x4x4
9. 5x5x5
10. 3x3x2

I think I'm going to have to change my 2x2 recommendation to a 2-layer Cheese recommendation after finally getting one.

I will list all worthy (always in my humble opinion) mathematical puzzles
that can be currently obtained:

(1) 3x3x3 (classic choice!)
(2) 2x2x2 (especially since the V-2 is coming out soon!)
(3) V-5 (best 5x5x5!)
(4) V-7 (breakthrough mech and it can also be used as a V-6!)
(5) Super Floppy Cube (breakthrough movement!)
(6) Varikon 2x2x2 (it is not hard to get a cheap price from ebay)
(7) Square-1 (tough and always interesting)
(8) Helicopter Cube (for an intro to jumbling)
(9) Rubik's Magic (a *very* underestimated puzzle!)
(10) Octahedron (FTO or not)
(11) Gear Cube (mesmerizing movement)
(12) Cubedron/DoTS! (rotational gravity from outer space!)




Pantazis

Oh come on don't you think you a little bit b-word (can't spell). It means I love my moms chilly and no one elses because I'm b-word (can't spell). My mom does have the best chilly in the world

You are right, maybe I should really *be* b-word then:

Now I regret I did not put it Nr 1 in the list! (especially as the past two years
I have been playing with Cubedrons for 95% of the time, and with all of the rest
of the puzzles only 5%!)




Pantazis


PS. Regarding the chilly, they all taste the same as they have too strong taste
which takes over all the other brilliant natural food tastes. I don't mind eating it
because it is healthy, but since it is a taste-taking-over-menace, I usually avoid it!

While I agree that these are all really good puzzles, I wouldn't consider them "twisty"... Rubik's Magic is a folding puzzle and the other two are different 3D variations on a sliding puzzle.

And it's "biased", and "chili".

I guess I will list the 12 I think should be included in everyone's collection:

1) 3x3x3
2) 2x2x2
3) 4x4x4
4) Pyraminx
5) Skewb
6) Square-1
7) Megaminx
8) Skewb Diamond
9) Rubik's Magic
10) 5x5x5
11) Floppy Cube
12) Skewb Ultimate

-Mark-

Back to basics here, the very first sequential logic puzzle ever made:

#1 - 15 Puzzle

First twisty puzzles ever created:

#2 - Rubik's 3x3x3 Cube
#3 - Meffert's Pyraminx

A couple more essential twisty puzzles:

#4 - Meffert's Skewb
#5 - Meffert's or Mf8 Megaminx
#6 - Face-Turning Octahedron

A few more Cubic puzzles:

#6 - Eastsheen large 2x2x2 (not Rubik's)
#7 - Master/Revenge Cube 4x4x4 (Eastsheen or Rubik's)
#8 - Professor Cube 5x5x5 (Eastsheen, Rubik's, or V-Cube)

*Since I'm not a speed solver, I actually prefer the solid feel of a well broken in Rubik's 4x4x4 or 5x5x5 to the Eastsheen versions. V-Cube 5x5x5 isthe best though. Do not waste your money on Rubik's 2x2x2..

Introduction to bandaging:

#9 - Square-1

Introduction to jumbling:

#10 - Helicopter Cube

Introduction to flippy puzzles:

#11 - 8 Tile Rubik's Magic

Lastly, something creative you can play with if your brain hurts or you get plain tired of solving:

#12 - Rubik's Snake

Other essentials:

- Silicone spray lubricant
- http://www.cubesmith.com for replacing those rubbish Rubik's Stickers, or any other puzzle for that matter. I prefer Cubesmith textured tiles on my Cubes.
- http://www.jaapsch.net/puzzles/ for your puzzle solving headquarters.

LOL fair enough, just a last "analysis" note to describe the evolution, which from my experience,
it is something not 100% obvious:

1. The Fifteen puzzle (which was mentioned above) has pieces which slide in 2D at a time
but can be distributed around the puzzle only in 2D.
2. The Varikon puzzle has pieces which slide in 2D, but this time, the pieces can be
distributed around the puzzle in 3D (but to go from 2D to 3D more than one moves are required).
Even the Clark's Cube, despite its manual rotation, uses more than one moves to do something similar.
3. The Cubedron puzzle has pieces which simultaneously slide and rotate**(in 3D).
(and this is why despite having less pieces than the previous two puzzles, it provides a much
more complex challenge!). So it is certainly not "just another sliding variation". It does more than that,
and I have not even mentioned the mech! ,

** with respect to all the other pieces.

Oskar has already emulated the Cubedron using a difference mech (Panda Cube), so why
shouldn't it count? If it is gravity or our hands which slotate (= slide & rotate) the pieces,
does it really matter? To me, certainly not! (but I do understand your point too).

I regard as twisty, any puzzle which is 3D, one-piece, and mathematical (and it twists our mind!).

And I totally agree about the Rubik's Magic with others who also posted it in their own list.
I mean, we should always allow other puzzles (which, either emulate - sometimes better! - or
provide a new challenge, than the traditional twisting-movement puzzles) to enter all such lists.

ok ok, and now I'll better stick to the topic!


Pantazis

I have refrained from posting my list for fear you would ridicule me. But it seems that the good Dr. got his in first so I'm safe now.
For me, any puzzle that is a must for a collection is one that taxes your brain in a different way from the rest. So no, mine aren't all twisty.

1) Babylon tower.
2) cheese
3) bog standard 3x3x3
4) pyraminx
5) Golden cube
6) skewb
7) Hanayama Baroque
8) Chinese rings/ok, spinout
9) a standard 6 piece burr
10) megaminx
11) Columbus egg from toybox, not the worlds fair one
12) a maze-revomaze/dolorinth/cooksey maze

my justifications:
1) it's just plain beautiful and a great puzzle for a beginner to try. It leaves one with a feeling of success.
2) so simplistic that anyone can solve it by accident-see above
3) well this started it all didn't it?
4) a true twisty puzzle that is a classic. An easier version of the cube if you will-see #1 above.
5) a beauty and a beast at the same time. Aligning the pieces is a puzzle in itself.
6) deceptively simple looking, slightly harder to solve
7) a beautiful puzzle that has a high frustration level with a great "a ha" at the end
8) tedious, but one of the oldest versions of physical puzzles out there. Many others have taken root from this beginning.
9) Another classic that is deceptive yet simple once you know how to work it.
10) a nice variation on the twisty theme that causes much head shaking and cursing while being solved. At the same time, this is a silent puzzle. It's not one that "talks to its solver"
11) a balancing puzzle that takes sequential movement as well as dexterity to solve.
12) While these look simple, there are so many different variations that have a 'one slip' factor that causes a restart. Some are just brilliantly designed.

And now for my "all twisty list"
1) 3x3x3
2) cheese
3) pyraminx
4) golden cube
5) skewb
6) megaminx
8) gears
9) helicopter cube
10) square one
11) Dogic
12) A puzzle made by Rox-the rarest of them all

Nice lists everyone! Here is what I think! Almost a summation of everyone else.

1) Multiple 3x3x3's (Edison Definitely)
2) Megaminx
3) Pyraminx Crystal
4) Golden Cube(s)
5) Masterball(s)
6) Mosaic Cube
8) Gear Cube Extreme and Regular
9) DOGIC (although expensive now, they prove to be a very nice addition to any collection)
10) Helicopter Cube (beautiful)
11.) Jade Puzzles!


Chris

1) 3x3x3
2) 5x5x5
3) Pyraminx
4) Professor's Pyraminx
5) Megaminx
6) Square-1
7) FTO
8) Skewb Cube
9) Rubik's Magic
10) Master Magic
11) Tower Cube
12) Rubik's Clock

That was easy!

This is kind of hard to post, I see most of the posts do include rare and custom puzzles.

so I have two lists

One for basic collection for solving purposes without rare or custom puzzles.

3x3
4x4
any large order cube such as 5, 6, or 7
Square-1
Pyraminx
Skewb
Megaminx
Helicopter cube
face turning octahedron
UFO or cheese
any type of Massed produced cuboid

And one for basic collecting purposes

Of course all of the aforementioned puzzles,
a 3d printed puzzle
a handmade puzzle
and a vintage puzzle, doesn't need to be rare necessarily


Of course these are hard to follow for every person, and in reality everyones collection should be fit to themselves,
Your collection should be made up of puzzles that interest you, whether it be for financial reasons or not such as rare puzzles.

Even my own collection is lacking
I am missing several in the first category. Though I have had them at one time or another.

This is something else to consider, a collection is never set, nor finished. It should fluctuate up an down. in this way you can change your collection, as well as someone else's.


As we all know puzzling only reaches a limited area. One of the main goals of all puzzlers should be to share the puzzle world with puzzlers and non-puzzlers alike. This is something this forum I think does very well.

1. 2x2 Cube
2. 3x3 Cube
3. 4x4 Cube
4. 5x5 Cube
5. Skewb
6. Pyraminx
7. Megaminx
8. Sq1

I think that is all you need to start.

I think that everybody should have the basic and most important puzzles, on which mechanisms all the other puzzles are based:

1) 3x3 Rubic Cube
It's the origin of all, I think we wouldn't have not even half of the cubes and puzzles we have today if this cube would haven't been invented. It's the origin of practically all the twisty puzzles, and it's ininfluent to have or not a 3x3 mod without having a normal Rubik Cube. All the mods (NxN, different shapes, minx cubes) are all secondary to the standard cube, and they're not extremely necessary in a collection.

2) Skewb
3) Square-1
A lot of puzzles are based on the Skewb and the SQ1 mechanism, and as I said for the Rubik Cube, these are the basis for all their mods.

4) Pyraminx
I don't know much mods of the Pyraminx, but if I'm not wrong it has a fourth different mechanism, so it's the base for a tons of other mods.

5) Gear Cubes
I'm not talking only of the Gear Cube or of the Extreme one. Watching and solving the puzzles created by Oskar I think that he definitively invented a completely new mechanism, a new concept that can be developed in tons of other mods.

I haven't still tried puzzles like for example the Helicopter Cube, but watching it on youtube it seemed to me that it has another different mechanism, not based on the 4 I said before, so probably it should be included in the list, also considering that lately many mods of the HC have begun spreading out...
All the twisty puzzles with a mechanism different from those I said should be included in the list of the "must have" puzzles.

What I want to say is that in every collection no mod is fundamental. What is necessary is to have all the basis, without which it's useless to have a derivated mod.

I doubt that any 'true' twisty puzzles would have been mass produced if it wasn't for the cube.

Indeed, I think the same thing, but I mean, there's also the possibility that if Erno Rubik would haven't create the cube, Tony Durham (just to do an example) would have had in any case the idea to develop the Skewb.
It's because of this that I didn't talk about ALL the twisty puzzles.

I'm going to organize these by unique-ness (# of axes)
1. 3x3x3 - 6 axes, the "original" twisty puzzle
2. 4x4x4 or 5x5x5 - 6 axes, gives a taste of a higher order cube (anything above this is somewhat redundant (I still have them though))
3. Skewb - 4 axes, a corner turning cube
4. Pyraminx - 4 axes, the "original" mefferts puzzle
5. FTO - 8 axes
6. Megaminx - 12 axes, the most common dodecahedron
7. Pyraminx Crystal - 12 axes, deeper cut megaminx and a new solving experience
8. Helicopter Cube - 12 axes, but rhombic dodecahedral symmetry, and edge turning cube
9. Square-1 - Dihedral, an unique concept
10. Rubik's Magic - not really a twisty puzzle, but an intresting puzzle? nonetheless
11. Rubik's Clock - very intresting puzzle aswell
12. Babylon Tower - every collection needs sometype of bead puzzle, so why not get (in my opinion) the best one out there?

Really great question! I hope this thread can provide newcomers with a sense of direction. Maybe it can be stickied?

I'm not going to include a 3x3 in my list because it very likely that the person referencing this probably owns one.


1. 4x4
2. 7x7
3. square 2
4. FTO
5. Helicopter cube
6. Pyraminx crystal
7. super floppy cube
8. skewb
9. skewb ultimate
10. 15 puzzle
11. rubiks clock
12. crazy 4x4 III

@ Gingervergo

"7. super floppy cube" I really don't hope you mean that! I guess what you meant was "Scramble Cube".

Good list tho. Very well speculated!

My puzzles list, not in order...is
3x3x3 Rubik's cube
4x4x4 cube
7x7x7 V-cube
Megaminx
Teraminx
Skewb
Floppy cube
3x3x4 fully functional
Dogic
Magic octahedron
Golden cube
Piraminx

Just wondering, but why Helicopter Cube? It's way too hard. I've seen pictures. redkb on youtube said it was a super hard puzzle...

In my opinion, there should be these 7 cubes, purchased in this order

1. Rubik's 3x3x3
2. Eastsheen 2x2x2, [KO of Eastsheen was specified, it has been corrected]
3. Eastsheen 4x4x4
4. Rubik's 5x5x5
5. Pyraminx
6. Fisher Cube
7. Skewb

It is actually easier than a Rubik's Cube. It's just different.

Helicopter because it's an edge-turning cube, and it jumbles. Both of these features ought to be somewhere in every collection.