The 360, a new game by Professor Erno Rubik, inventor of the Rubik's Cube, is set to go on sale next week.

Players must get the coloured balls from an inner sphere into matching slots on the outer sphere by shaking them through a middle sphere that has only two holes Photo: AFP/GETTY

The 64-year-old reclusive Hungarian professor, who has seen his cube achieve 350 million sales since 1980, was heavily involved in creating the new brain-teaser.

The 360 is a clear plastic ball holding six small balls of different colours. Players must get the coloured balls from an inner sphere into matching slots on the outer sphere by shaking them through a middle sphere that has only two holes.

Using the original principles applied to the Rubik's Cub, it will be available next week, costing £18.

David Hedley Jones, senior vice president of the Rubik brand, said: "It doesn't need batteries and looks as though it should be quite easy.

"But it is incredibly complicated. There are some really cunning tricks to it."

Hamleys, the London toy store, has already had thousands of inquiries for the 360. It's head of sales Nigel Wheatley said: "It is our biggest item on the web. I expect thousands to be sold in days."

Invented in 1974, the Rubik's Cube was an instant success when it was first exported from Hungary in 1980, becoming the world's fastest-selling toy.

Still obtaining a cult following, almost 40,000 entries on YouTube feature tutorials and video clips of quick solutions.