Kit Review

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Detail shots

The GN Smart Gun has a nice long, elongated barrel.

You can attach a beam saber to the tip of the GN Smart Gun like a bayonet.

Only 3 hands are included.

HGBF Striker GN-X - Base body with the additional armor removed (1/3)

Base body with the additional armor removed

HGBF Striker GN-X - The backpack structure called the GN Defense Rod can be deployed in a sub-arm configuration as shown abov

The backpack structure called the GN Defense Rod can be deployed in a sub-arm configuration as shown above.

The shoulder shield can also be detached at the lower section and mounted on the back of the forearm.

Some parts from the original HG GN-X are left over as leftover parts.

The limb articulation is a bit better than the original GN-X..

HGBF Striker GN-X - GN Smart Gun action (1/3)

GN Smart Gun action

GN Smart Gun with bayonet attached

GN Defense Rod deployed + double beam saber action

Beam saber pose with base body only

Together with the original 00 HG GN-X.

The Striker GN-X, based on the GN-X from 00, has been released as the 65th kit in the Build Fighters HG lineup. About half of the runners are reused from the original HG GN-X, while the other half consists of newly tooled runners.

Looking at the overall appearance first, it has quite a different silhouette from the original GN-X kit. The Ewok-like wide head combined with an angular design gives it a pretty fresh feel. The HG GN-X came out back in 2008 — that's 10 years ago now — but it was a decent quality kit in its own right, so this kit also delivers solid joint strength and articulation. The leg articulation in particular feels like a step up from the HG GN-X.

For weapons, you get the long, elongated GN Smart Gun which can be held with both hands. The grip-to-hand connection is a bit loose, so rather than actually gripping it, you're more just resting the hand on it. Fortunately the arm joints hold their position pretty well, so as long as you get the arm angle right, it's not a big problem to hold it in a two-handed pose. As a bonus feature, you can also mount a beam saber on it in bayonet form.

As for other gimmicks, there are defensive weapons called GN Defense Rods on either side of the backpack that can be deployed in a sub-arm configuration. The sub-arm joints are nice and sturdy, so they hold their position well at any angle. You can also configure the kit as just the base body by removing some of the additional armor.

So while this kit does recycle a somewhat older HG kit, it feels like a complete transformation in terms of style. There are a few spots where things don't hold together as tightly as you'd like, but overall the quality is excellent. Even if you're not a Build Fighters fan, if the style appeals to you this is a sharp, fun little 21st-century MSV kit that anyone can enjoy. :-)

HGBF Striker GN-X | 2018.1 | ¥2,000

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.