Kit Review

Straight build

Version Up Parts 1~4 collection.

Version Up Part 1 : RX-78 Head

Version Up Parts 1 is the MG First frame and hand frame. No outer armor included~

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Compared to the existing MG First, the detail is much more intricate, but it lacks that sharp, cris

Compared to the existing MG First, the detail is much more intricate, but it lacks that sharp, crisp feel.

The hand section. The mechanics on the back of the hand look a little creepy~

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Head frame comparison with the MG 1.0. Setting aside the detail, the overall style is just differen

Head frame comparison with the MG 1.0. Setting aside the detail, the overall style is just different.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - This Version Up Parts head follows the PG's frame detail. The design concept is identical, and when

This Version Up Parts head follows the PG's frame detail.
The design concept is identical, and when it comes to mold complexity, the Version Up Parts are actually more intricate than the PG.

Fitted onto the MG First 1.0.

Tried fitting it onto the MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079.

Version Up Part 2 : RX-78 Beam Rifle

Version Up Parts 2 is the First's dedicated beam rifle.

The highlight of this part is how it folds in the middle like the PG, revealing the inner frame.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Comparison with the beam rifles from the MG 1.0 and MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079. If you look closely

Comparison with the beam rifles from the MG 1.0 and MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079.
If you look closely, the Version Up Parts beam rifle looks a bit different from both of them.
Though it's closest in resemblance to the MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079 one.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Even comparing all the MG First beam rifles side by side, the Version Up Parts beam rifle has a dif

Even comparing all the MG First beam rifles side by side, the Version Up Parts beam rifle has a different shape — and the reason is...

It's because the Version Up Parts beam rifle is a direct scaled-down version of the PG one.

Even the inner frame revealed when you fold it in the middle matches the PG's mold style exactly.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - But here's the thing... while it fits fine with the 1.0 and MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079, the dedicat

But here's the thing... while it fits fine with the 1.0 and MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079, the dedicated hand parts don't connect properly with the First 1.5.
It doesn't seat correctly and ends up floating slightly... Probably because these Version Up Parts were made with the 1.0 in mind.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Mixed and fitted together with Version Up Parts 1. (1/3)

Mixed and fitted together with Version Up Parts 1.

The PG-style exposed inner frame does look pretty cool in its own way.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Version Up Parts 1 and 2 matched up with the MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079. On a side note... every ti

Version Up Parts 1 and 2 matched up with the MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079.
On a side note... every time I handle the MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079, I'm reminded of what a great kit it is ^^;
There's a slight mismatch in feel, but it connects to the MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079 without much trouble. It's just the 1.5 that doesn't fit well...

Version Up Part 3 : Zaku-II Head

Version Up Parts 3 is the Zaku head frame and hand frame.

The detail is reasonably clean, and it looks a step up from the Version Up Parts First head.

The mono-eye can rotate as well.

The hand frame. Also a bit creepy-looking-

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Frame comparison with the MG Zaku II 1.0. At a glance they seem similar, but they're actually quite

Frame comparison with the MG Zaku II 1.0. At a glance they seem similar, but they're actually quite different.

The Zaku head Version Up Parts are also based on the PG's mechanical detail.

Version Up Parts 1 applied to both the mass production type and Char's custom.

Somehow it looks more refined and cleaner than the First Version Up Parts 1.

Version Up Part 4 : Zaku-II Machine Gun

Version Up Parts 4 is the Zaku machine gun.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - The exterior detail isn't a huge improvement, but what sets it apart from the existing MG version i

The exterior detail isn't a huge improvement, but what sets it apart from the existing MG version is that the magazine has bullets inside.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Comparison with the MG Zaku II 1.0 machine gun. The style is different, but you can't really say th

Comparison with the MG Zaku II 1.0 machine gun.
The style is different, but you can't really say the exterior detail has improved all that much.

This Zaku machine gun Version Up Parts is also a direct scaled-down replica of the PG version.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - The highlight of this Version Up Parts 4 Zaku machine gun is that it faithfully replicates the PG Z

The highlight is that it faithfully replicates the PG Zaku II machine gun's bullet-filled magazine interior — just like the original.
That's the main selling point of this Version Up Parts 4 Zaku machine gun. Nothing else particularly special beyond that.

Fitted on the mass production type along with Version Up Parts 3.

Action shots of the mass production type and Char's custom with the Version Up Parts.

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 - Version Up Parts 1~4 applied to the MG First 1.0 and MG Zaku II 1.0. Well, seems like a decent enou

Version Up Parts 1~4 applied to the MG First 1.0 and MG Zaku II 1.0.
Well, seems like a decent enough item to mess around with ^^;

These are the MG Version Up Parts released in 2001. There are four sets in total — Version Up Parts 1 through 4 — each packaged individually in a plastic bag along with a shared overall instruction sheet. Basically, these weren't sold as retail kits; they were produced by Bandai as event and prize items. Here's a quick breakdown of what's included:

- Version Up Parts 1: MG First head frame + hand frame
- Version Up Parts 2: MG First beam rifle (with inner frame detail)
- Version Up Parts 3: MG Zaku II head frame + hand frame
- Version Up Parts 4: MG Zaku II machine gun (with bullet detail)

As you can see, the basic concept is to precisely recreate the inner frames of existing MG kits, and all four sets are essentially scaled-down copies of the PG's frame detail and characteristics.

Overall, the detail on the Version Up Parts is pretty impressive — much better than the MG, and the molds are actually more intricate than the PG originals they're based on. That said, it looks like simplified tooling was used, so the molds lack that sharp, crisp edge and tend to feel a bit soft and rounded. On top of that, everything is molded in jet black, which makes it hard to make out the detail.

These Version Up Parts were released in 2001, after the First v1.5 came out, but the beam rifle compatibility with the 1.5 is a bit iffy. The hand connection doesn't quite line up, so it doesn't attach well to the v1.5's distinctive separate-finger hand parts. It seems like they were designed with the 1.0 as the primary target. That said, they do connect reasonably well with the later MG Gundam Ver. O.Y.W. 0079.

On the other hand, the Version Up Parts for the MG Zaku are compatible with all MG Zaku kits. Come to think of it, there was no intermediate version between the original and the 2.0, so of course they'd all be compatible -.-; To be precise, the only thing that doesn't play nice is the odd hand parts unique to the First 1.5.

Since these were always meant as fun bonus items rather than serious releases, they're decent enough to mess around with if you have them — but the detail and molded finish feel a bit soft and rounded in a way that's hard to pin down, so they're not exactly high-value items. When you actually attach them to a straight build, the quality doesn't quite live up to expectations... That said, for anyone looking to recreate a PG-surpassing frame at 1/100 scale and paint it up, this could be a really fun little item.

Anyway, they're fun in their own way, but I wouldn't call them super useful — more like a nice-to-have if you can get your hands on one :-)

MG Version Up Parts 1~4 | 2001

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.