SpartanNerd and SpartanTeen Review…Neo Zeon Mobile Suit MSN-06S Sinanju “Ver-Ka” (Titanium Finish)

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Of all of the Gundams we have reviewed, the Sinanju is the most impressive.  In several ways.  This Gundam has a “titanium finish,” basically vac-metal plastic.  It makes it shine!  Combine this effect with the size of the figure at Master Grade 1/100 scale and the many accessories and even an additional stand, and you have an incredible item.  Above is the box.  And longtime readers know that the SpartanNerd really likes his foil!

This item cost $140, and we purchased the stand for an additional $20.  (The stand is usable with most if not all Gundams, but is detailed specifically for Sinanju Ver-Ka.)  This is a special edition, with the vac-metal.  The normal Ver-Ka would cost around $80.

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The box is almost entirely in Japanese.  As well as the instructions.  This is commonplace for basically every Gundam we have built.

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Above is the instructions for the decals and stickers.  The SpartanTeen used the regular sticker decals, rather than the water-slide decals.

I am going to show the Gundam in pieces, sort of.  There is so much here I had to “cull down” the amount of photos.

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The head really shows the small details.  The two “holes” on the side of the mask are meant to be vulcan cannons!  You can see the vac-metal and the plain gray plastic.  The crimson color goes well with the flat gray.  There is an eye detail that can’t really be seen because of the size and impressiveness of the rest of the head.

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Here is the backpack, showing all of its details in 3X faster mode.  (The legs also have details for “3x faster mode.”)  The backpack was the only truly “stupid problem.”  The backpack WOULD NOT attach to the figure as it was supposed to.  It works by a little slot mechanism that seemed to be obstructed by excessive plastic.  We solved the problem with some super-glue.  We checked other reviews of the figure, and found that ours seems to be an exception rather than the rule.

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Here the Sinanju stands, unarmed, and without his backpack.  It is very articulated.  The fingers all move like human fingers.  The arms move like a humans, the legs move like a humans.  It is a “super-articulated” design.  The shoulder armor and knee armor move to accommodate the most articulation.

The stickers are very much a foil item, and the Gundam doesn’t look right without those details.  All of the gold pictured here is a reflection of the flash of my camera!  That is how shiny it is!

The feet are on a rocker joint, and divided into toe and heel sections.

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The cockpit opens, revealing Char Aznable inside.  The cockpit is surrounded by yellow “psycho-frame” components.  The Gundam came with two different pilots.  One to stand beside on display, and one to stay in the cockpit.  The SpartanTeen (nor the SpartanNerd) can paint the tiny details required….We would if we could.  But that is a little out of our skill level at this point.

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Here are most of the accessories.  I say most, because, the Grenade Launcher/Shotgun wasn’t ready at the time of the review.  Notice the “beam-effect” parts.  These are interchangeable with the axe, and with the shield.

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You can see, this opens up an incredible array of display options!  The shield is very large and impressive.  The SpartanTeen doesn’t prefer the axe.  (This is more of a SpartanNerd thing.  See He-Man!)

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The beam saber isn’t a lightsaber at all.  The beam effect is detailed and rippled, rather than being a straight lazer sword.  It did come with two beam effects, we just wanted the readers to see the hilt disarmed as well as armed.

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The gun has expandable options as well.  The scope can move, and you can add parts from the shotgun/grenade launcher.  (Not pictured.)  Notable, the shield has a place to store the shotgun/grenade launcher.

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Here is the Sinanju standing on his own.  The backpack adds a lot of weight, causing some balance issue, but not much.  Notable, it was easy not to have the legs snapped all the way in.  They kept coming off until the SpartanTeen figured out how to fully snap them in.  (Sorry, the lighting system took accidental damage, and so this picture and all the rest are using flash only

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Here is the Sinanju holding the shield an on his custom stand.  The stand is a separate item, and will be reviewed later.  But the stand is the perfect way to display this incredible investment.

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As we have done in the past, we are now going to give this Gundam a grade!

Here is our criteria, each item getting a score.  We would like to say ahead of time, this Gundam is almost perfect!

Each item gets a score…
1 Too wrong
2 not right enough
3 could be better
4 pretty good, but…
5 perfect
Construction
Was it difficult considering the level it is supposed to be?  4
Stupid problems?   3  (cables around the legs, and backpack had to be glued.)
Instructions easy to read?  5
Diagrams clear?   5
Stickers? Paint    5
Articulation
stands easily?    5
moves without falling apart    5
posable/interchangeable hands    5
lots of articulation points     5
Dynamic poses    5
Accessories
Weapons     5
holds weapons/appropriate weapons      4  (some problem holding the gun and shields.)
Stand   5  (available as a separate item.)
expansions    5  (see above)
Weapon storage   5
playability
durable     4
photogenic    5
holds weapons?    5
Reasonable Facimile to media representation    5
Aesthetics    5   (that shiny plastic is incredible!)
Figure-specific features
morph/ transform/ change form    5
action feature    3
LED lights   1
Diarama     5
Pilot included?  Does he fit in the cockpit or is he in scale or not.    5
To tabulate the score, we add up all of the values, and then come up with an average.
The SpartanTeen and SpartanNerd Gundam Evaluation Checklist says that the Sinanju receives a 4.92.  So far the only Gundam coming in higher is Char’s Zaku II-S (2.0), which had a score of 5.2.
What do you think?  Leave us some feedback in the comments!

SpartanNerd and SpartanTeen Review…Knight Gundam (SD)

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The second SD Gundam model review ever.  The Knight Gundam.  Does the SpartanNerd think this is worth picking up?  Keep reading!

The Knight Gundam is another of those Gundams that I have zero association with.  I never heard of it.  SpartanTeen saw it on “Gundam Build Fighters”, at least I gather.  The price was $13.99.

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The instructions were in Japanese.  But the Knight Gunam came with a Manga.  No idea what is going on here.  It is a cute little comic strip, though.

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Here is the model assembled.  Highly detailed!  I like the color scheme…mostly gray with blue and red details.  A splash of yellow for the cross on the shield and the headpiece.  It has that oversized head of course.  Tis time there is a barrel inside that allows you to give him two different looks for the eyes.

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This Gundam has an AMAZING amount of accessories.  I removed them all so you can see just how incredible it really is.

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Without the accessories, he feels like a knight without armor should feel.  I applaud the detail that went into this.

But this isn’t all!

It can TRANSFORM!

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That’s right…Knight Gundam transforms into a Centaur!

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I can’t say enough good things about this toy!  Wow!

The SpartanTeen had a few things to say about it:

“The mask part is shiny.  The rest of it is not, and it should be.”

“The sword is hidden in the shield.”

“Knight Gundam and Unicorn Knight Gundam combine, to for a unicorn.  Alone, he is a Centaur”

“This Gundam has relatively few problems compared to other models in this series.”

“It was nothing hard…it took me about ten minutes to build.”

Here is a comparison shot with the Build Burning Gundam SD.

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So what does the SpartanNerd rate Knight Gundam (SD)?

I can’t say anything negative about it.  The SpartanTeen is a little bothered that the mask is vac-metal while the rest of the armor isn’t.  I think it makes the mask pop, though.  Then he informed me that it isn’t just a transformer, but a Combiner as well.

This thing gets a 5/5.  Only $13.99 for basically hours of entertainment.  The amount of things to do here reminds me of playing with “Modulok” from Masters of the Universe Classics.  It is fairly sturdy, and has no stupid problems.

The SpartanNerd rates Knight Gundam (SD) a solid 5/5.  Do you agree or disagree, oh Hub City Geeks?  Let me know in the comments!

SpartanNerd Review…SD Build Burning Gundam

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The SpartanNerd’s interest in Gundams is really very narrow.  I really only like what I have seen on Gundam Wing.  I realize that this is VERY narrow.  But Gundam Wing…the cartoon…as well it’s “Endless Waltz” movie, have tremendous sentimental value for me, as I was very interested in that at a transitional time of life.

I became aware of other Gundam properties by seeing models at Toys R Us for “Gundam Seed.”  Later, I would get “Gundam Battle Assault 2” for Playstation.  This game exposed me to several more gundams.  And soon after, I saw “SD” figures on the shelves at different stores.  SD stood for “Super Deformed,” and it was a big-headed fad about ten years ago.  I suppose that gave away to the “vinyl” toy craze today.

The SpartanKids are once again really interested in Gundams, and I have been encouraged to review them.  So without further ado, here is my review of “SD Build Burning Gundam.”

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The instructions were entirely in Japanese.  It is a good thing that the diagrams are very good, otherwise my nine year old might not have been able to assemble it!

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The back of the instructions contains a manga.  Again, not quite sure what is happening here.

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SpartanKid’s build of SD Build Burning Gundam stands just fine.  It is posable in all ways expected for a Gundam.  It doesn’t have a flight stand or other stand, however.

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The model comes with these accessories.  I know from “Gundam Battle Assault 2” that Burning Gundam’s main weapon is fire coming from his hands or fingers.  (He frequently yells, “Burning Finger!”)

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Here he is with both fingers ablaze.  I don’t really care for this accessory.  It reminds me of some kind of dishrag attached to his hand.

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This “fiery chain” is better, as a weapon.  We also figured out that these pieces can attach to the “dishcloth” pieces.

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Here is a comparison shot to another Gundam in the series.  The “Knight Gundam” has more going for it.

So what are my thoughts on this model?

It was fairly inexpensive.  But it has some problems that come with that “cheapness.”  One big thing is that the head doesn’t stay on.  Another, the accessories are kind of … whimsical.  It comes with no guns.  It doesn’t transform.  It just “is”.

I know nothing of the characters, and have no attachment.  I speak as an outsider.  To me, this Gundam is kind of a generic Wing Gundam.  Accept he doesn’t have wings.

But that price point has to figure in.  This model was only $8.00.  This kept the SpartanKid occupied for two days building it.  He has plans to “decorate” it even more.

SpartanKid has a few things to say about this item.

“I really like the model.  It was well worth my $8.00.”

“The model is pretty colorful.  The attachments go on easily.”

“Despite how the head tends to fall off, you can just set it on top of the body.”

“I would give this product a 5/5.”

The SpartanNerd’s rating of “SD Build Burning Gundam” is 3/5.  On the lower end of three.  I am only judging the merits of the product, not the SpartanKid’s build of it.  DO you agree or disagree, oh Hub City Geeks?  Let me know in the comments!

SpartanNerd and SpartanTeen Review…Gundam Heavyarms XXXG-01H (Model)

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(SpartanTeen is commenting on the model, while the SpartanNerd is taking pictures.)

Heavy arms whole body is a weapon.

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Lots of details need paint, so the details will pop.

I messed up at first, and decided to trick it out with battle damage.

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Painting the joints makes them easy to come apart at the chest doors for the Vulcan cannons.

The hands are a pain.  The interchangeable hands make it easy for Heavyarms to drop his gun.

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Why didn’t the beam saber come with a blade?

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The chain ammunition comes apart easily, and the bullets go everywhere.

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It is very sturdy, and probably could survive three foot falls.

This is my favorite model so far.

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SpartanNerd/SpartanTeen Gundam Evaluation Checklist

1 Too wrong
2 not right enough
3 could be better
4 pretty good, but…
5 perfect
Construction
Was it difficult considering the level it is supposed to be?    5
Stupid problems?   2
Instructions easy to read?   1
Diagrams clear?   5
Stickers? Paint     5
Articulation
stands easily?   5
moves without falling apart    5
posable/interchangeable hands    2
lots of articulation points    5
Dynamic poses    5
Accessories
Weapons   4
holds weapons/appropriate weapons   4
Stand     1
expansions      1
Weapon storage     4
playability
durable     5
photogenic     5
holds weapons?      5
Reasonalbe Facimile to media representation     5
Aesthetics     5
Figure specific features
morph/ transform/ change form      5
action feature    1
LED lights    1
Diarama      1
Pilot included?  Does he fit in the cockpit or is he in scale or not.     5
SpartanNerd/SpartanTeen rate Master Grade Heavyarms XXXG-01H 3.68 out of 5.
(More pictures following.)
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SpartanNerd and SpartanTeen…Evaluating Gundams

Just for you, Hub City Geeks, the SpartanNerd and the SpartanTeen have teamed up!  Together we created a checklist for evaluating Gundam models!

For now, we are only evaluating Master Grade and higher…  We may adjust the checklist in the future.

So without further ceremony, here is our checklist.  You can see the checklist in action if you click here

Each item gets a score…
1 Too wrong
2 not right enough
3 could be better
4 pretty good, but…
5 perfect
There are five areas that we will score for our models… Construction, Articulation, Accessories, Playability, and Figure-Specific features.  Each area has five criteria.
Construction
Was it difficult considering the level it is supposed to be?
Stupid problems?
Instructions easy to read?
Diagrams clear?
Stickers? Paint
Articulation
stands easily?
moves without falling apart
posable/interchangeable hands
lots of articulation points
Dynamic poses
Accessories
Weapons
holds weapons/appropriate weapons
Stand
expansions
Weapon storage
playability
durable
photogenic
holds weapons?
Reasonalbe Facimile to media representation
Aesthetics
Figure-specific features
morph/ transform/ change form
action feature
LED lights
Diarama
Pilot included?  Does he fit in the cockpit or is he in scale or not.
To tabulate the score, we add up all of the values, and then come up with an average.

SpartanNerd…Thoughts on Master Grade Unicorn Gundam

I have personally build about a dozen Gundams.  It has been a few years since I did one…I am only really interested in Gundam Wing.  However, there is renewed interest among the Spartan-children for Gundams.  The most recent Gundam completed is Unicorn Gundam.  I am not going to offer a review, because I did not build the model myself, however, I have some statements from the SpartanTeen.  Following his statements, I have lots of photos!

“The Unicorn Gundam falls apart easily, unfortunately, especially in destroy mode.”

“It dwarfs Master Grade Heavyarms,”

“Black Light renders the pink details as orange light.”  (The SpartanWife says it’s coral.)

“It takes thirty minutes to an hour to transform into destroy mode.  It takes less time to return it to Unicorn mode”

“Gundam Unicorn cannot hold his bazooka very good.”

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