MG RX-78-1

Prototype Gundam

Kit Review

Straight build

MG Prototype Gundam (1/6) MG Prototype Gundam (2/6) MG Prototype Gundam (3/6) MG Prototype Gundam (4/6) MG Prototype Gundam (5/6) MG Prototype Gundam (6/6)

MG Prototype Gundam - Detail shots (1/4) MG Prototype Gundam - Detail shots (2/4) MG Prototype Gundam - Detail shots (3/4) MG Prototype Gundam - Detail shots (4/4)

Detail shots

MG Prototype Gundam - A boxy, old-school style backpack.

A boxy, old-school style backpack.

MG Prototype Gundam - There's a new thicker section added at the end of the forearms.

There's a new thicker section added at the end of the forearms.

MG Prototype Gundam - The right side skirt has also been changed to a thicker design.

The right side skirt has also been changed to a thicker design.

MG Prototype Gundam - The Prototype's distinctive ankle armor

The Prototype's distinctive ankle armor

MG Prototype Gundam - Ooh.. true to the Prototype, it comes with a nice simple, no-frills rifle.

Ooh.. true to the Prototype, it comes with a nice simple, no-frills rifle.

MG Prototype Gundam - Core Fighter (1/2) MG Prototype Gundam - Core Fighter (2/2)

Core Fighter

MG Prototype Gundam - Core Block

Core Block

MG Prototype Gundam - For a Club G exclusive, there aren't that many leftover parts.

For a Club G exclusive, there aren't that many leftover parts.

MG Prototype Gundam - That iconic po~se.. (1/3) MG Prototype Gundam - That iconic po~se.. (2/3) MG Prototype Gundam - That iconic po~se.. (3/3)

That iconic po~se..

MG Prototype Gundam - Tried out the poses from the manual. (1/3) MG Prototype Gundam - Tried out the poses from the manual. (2/3) MG Prototype Gundam - Tried out the poses from the manual. (3/3)

Tried out the poses from the manual.

MG Prototype Gundam - Beam saber action (1/3) MG Prototype Gundam - Beam saber action (2/3) MG Prototype Gundam - Beam saber action (3/3)

Beam saber action

MG Prototype Gundam - Together with the standard MG First 2.0 G3.

Together with the standard MG First 2.0 G3.

This kit is the MG Prototype Gundam, released as a Bandai Online Shop – Club G exclusive. It's an MSV-type unit characterized by a combination of light gray and black, and the base body is built on the MG First Gundam 2.0.

At first glance it might look like a simple color variant, but there are actually quite a few parts that have been changed with real care. For starters, the backpack comes in an angular, old-kit style, the forearm ends are thickened per the design specs, the distinctive perforated ankle guards have been properly molded, the right side skirt structure has been revised, and most notably, the beam rifle has a pretty old-school design to it.

Since the base First 2.0 itself already has a distinctly old-school look, it feels like an even better fit for the Prototype. The original kit was already high quality, so this one is just as satisfying to build and fun to handle. That said, due to the Prototype's design specs, the bazooka, beam Jabelin, and Gundam Hammer that were included with the First 2.0 are not included here.

Because it nails the Prototype Gundam's defining characteristics so well, this ended up being a more satisfying exclusive than I expected. Personally, I'm getting a little tired of building the First 2.0 — much like the Zaku 2.0 — but this feels like the best First 2.0 exclusive to me. If you're a First Gundam fan, especially an old-school fan, this is a thoughtful exclusive I'd highly recommend. :-)

MG Prototype Gundam

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.