Cubes

Cubes are common testing elements throughout the Portal series.

Weighted Storage Cube


The Weighted Storage Cube was first introduced in Portal, and remains prevalent in Portal 2. In Portal 2 however, the cube is given a blue ring in the center instead of a blue cross, and can turn yellow when placed upon a Super Button.

Weighted Companion Cube


The Weighted Companion Cube was first introduced in Portal, and remains prevalent in Portal 2. Similar to the Weighted Storage Cube, the Companion Cube possesses a different design in Portal 2. The Cube functions in the same way as a Weighted Storage Cube, being differentiated to encourage test subjects to feel attached to the Cube.

Edgeless Safety Cube


The Edgeless Safety Cube was officially introduced in Portal 2, where it is used only in the co-op campaign. However, it also appears once in the single-player campaign as garbage. The entire name is given out of irony, however it still retains the coloring scheme and patterns present in the designs of the other cubes.

The Edgeless Safety Cube did have an appearance in a Portal Challenge Map, however it did not have a notable name and also did not have an accompanying receptacle, thus is not widely considered to have its first appearence until Portal 2.

This Item appears in Chapter 2 chamber 6, while GLaDOS is cleaning out the cube dispenser, where 2 of them fall out amongst other garbage.

Discouragement Redirection Cube


The Discouragement Redirection Cube was introduced in Portal 2. Its main purpose is to redirect the Thermal Discouragement Beam to other places or through portals if necessary. However, the cube has a second use as a Weighted Storage Cube, as it can be used to activate the Heavy-Duty Super Button.

Scalable Cube


The Scalable Cube is exclusively featured in the Portal 2 Sixense DLC Test Chambers. The only way to scale the Cube is with the Razer Hydra Controllers, a feature supported by the Portal Gun in the DLC. The size of the Cube changes simultaneously with its mass. The Scalable Cube can be used to build bridges between gaps or to crush Turrets.

Contraption Cube


The Contraption Cube is exclusively featured in the Portal 2 - Education Version Puzzle Creator. It has adjustable mass, friction and elasticity. The minimum mass is 1kg, maximum mass is 85kg. There are 5 levels for friction: frictionless, slippery, normal, sticky and very sticky. There are also 5 levels for elasticity: no rebound, slight rebound, normal, bouncy, very bouncy. The default settings for the Contraption Cube are 40kg, frictionless, and no rebound. Different settings cause the cube to take on slightly different appearances.

Heavy Duty Super Button


The Heavy Duty Super Button is a receptacle that can be triggered by the weights of player characters, Weighted Storage Cubes, Edgeless Safety Cubes, and Frankenturrets. The button was introduced in Portal and remained prevalent in Portal 2.

An older prototype variant from the 50-70s era of the Super Buttons can be seen in the Portal 2 single-player chapters The Fall and The Reunion.

Weighted Storage Cube Receptacle


Weighted Storage Cube Receptacles, as obvious by its name, serves as a receptacle only for the Weighted Storage Cubes. This receptacle is only present in the co-op campaign of Portal 2.

The Storage Cube must be placed securely inside the receptacle in order for test subjects to proceed. Although its appearance is similar to the Super Button, it cannot be activated by the weight of test subjects or any other objects being placed upon it.

Edgeless Safety Cube Receptacle


The Edgeless Safety Cube Receptacle is a receptacle for the Edgeless Safety Cube, introduced in Portal 2. The Cube must be placed securely inside the receptacle in order for the player to proceed.

Edgeless Safety Cubes and their receptacles only appear as testing elements in the game's cooperative campaign.

Contraption Cube Receptacle


The Contraption Cube Receptacle is exclusively featured in the educational version of Portal 2. Even though it is designed for the Contraption Cube, the Receptacle will not recognize the Contraption Cube and won't activate any puzzle elements which are connected with it. Additionally, it appears entirely black in-game, when the model itself has different colors.