Kit Review

Straight build + Partial paint + Panel lining + Decals

The universal yardstick — size comparison with a cigarette pack.

MG Gundam : G3 - Just like the RX-78-2, the back of the knees and ankles had messy molded colors, so some partial painting wa

Just like the RX-78-2, the back of the knees and ankles
had such messy molded colors that some partial painting was needed.

You can also choose to store either the core block or the core fighter, same as before.

MG Gundam : G3 - With the G3, the molded color combination just doesn't work out, so the yellow parts are handled with seals

With the G3, the molded color combination just doesn't work out,
so the yellow parts are handled with seals instead.
The seal quality is pretty mediocre. -_-

And the yellow cross on the shield is just slapped on with a seal too...

It's nothing more than a color variant of the RX-78-2 with different molded colors.

G3 Hatch Open

The core fighter is also just slightly different in color combination.

Articulation is identical too.

Action pose

Bazooka action

Beam Saber Action

Same optional parts are attached here and there, as expected.

RX-78-2 and RX-78-3. Different molded colors, zero other differences.

The RX-78-3, a.k.a. G3, was released as a color variant of the First Gundam — the very first MG kit, the RX-78-2. The original lore backs this up too, but the kit itself is literally just a molded color swap. In other words, the molds are used 100% as-is with no modifications, so the quality and structural features are identical to the original First Gundam. That means the articulation, detail, accessories, weapons — all the same. For a full breakdown of the kit itself, please refer to the RX-78
review page.

That said, the elbow joint issue — where the arms used to pop off pretty easily — seems to have been slightly improved, as the G3 version holds together comparatively better. I wasn't able to confirm whether later reprints of the RX-78-2 also got this fix, but either way, the elbow joint strength definitely feels like it's been improved.

Most color variants tend to have worse color separation than the original kit, and the G3 is no exception — the crotch (!) area and the yellow parts on the shield ended up molded in the wrong colors. Instead, you're supposed to cover them with separate yellow seals, but the feel of those seals is just... not great.

The G3's defining characteristic is its deep gray and purple-toned molded colors, and as you can see in the photos, it does pull off a satisfyingly weighty look. Sure, it's a pretty lazy color variant with no bonus weapons or figures whatsoever, but for RX-78 fans it could still be a worthwhile addition to the collection, and it's easy to recommend to anyone who likes those darker molded colors. Or if you already have the v1.5 and don't really feel like building another RX-78-2 v1.0 in the same color scheme, the G3 gives you a totally different vibe — a v1.0 Gundam with a completely different look. ^^

MG RX-78-3 Gundam : G3
Category	Rating	Analysis
Seam Lines	★	Almost no seam line consideration. Only the shoulders and knees get any attention. Panel gaps are also on the large side.
Molding Color / Color Separation	★★☆	Shield cross handled with a seal. Back of knees and ankle areas are just molded in gray.
Proportions	★★★	Average level.
Articulation	★	Arms and legs don't bend past 90°. Ankle range of motion is narrow. Slight waist articulation.
Joint Strength	★★★	Not particularly tight. Waist connection is flimsy. Elbow joints slightly improved.
Internal Frame	★★	Head, forearms, shins. Hatch open is also possible.
Detail	★★	Excessive panel lines. But the detail does show some effort.
Weapons / Accessories	★★★★	Beam rifle, bazooka, beam saber. Separate core fighter included. Fairly well-equipped.
Parts Count / Price	★★★	Total 214 parts (+ 31 detail-up parts). Parts per ¥1,000: 85.6
Uniqueness	★★★	A simple color variant. At least it's the only G3 version kit out there.
Dalong's Point : 49 pts.

MG Gundam : G3 | 1996.3 | ¥2,500

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.