OLD G Gundam 1/144 Hyper Mode Shining Gundam

Release 1995.3

Price ¥700

Box side view

Runners

Parts diagram

OLD 1/144 Hyper Mode Shining Gundam - Manual (1/3)

Manual

Straight build + Stickers

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

OLD 1/144 Hyper Mode Shining Gundam (1/2)

OLD 1/144 Hyper Mode Shining Gundam (2/2)

Core Lander

OLD 1/144 Hyper Mode Shining Gundam - Action poses (1/3)

Action poses

Together with the normal ver. 1/144 Shining Gundam.

This kit is the Hyper Mode Shining Gundam released as part of the old G Gundam 1/144 series. The 1/144 Hyper Mode series had a total of 6 kits released, and they're essentially the existing kits with a gold coating applied over them.

Since the base kit is the same, most of the characteristics carry over as well. The joint strength, which was a bit lacking in the original, actually feels improved here — probably because the coating layer reduces the looseness a bit. Aside from that, the overall package is identical, so really all you need to appreciate here is the coating quality itself.

The coating quality itself isn't particularly impressive — the gold finish feels a bit thin. Being an old kit probably doesn't help, but it only costs 200 yen more than the original kit, so the quality is pretty much in line with that price difference. That said, from a value standpoint, you could argue it's actually a pretty cost-effective plated parts kit.

Either way, this kit is significant in that it gives us a 1/144 Shining Gundam in Hyper Mode — the signature look of the G Gundam series — and if you're looking for an affordable plated parts build, it's a pretty solid choice for an old kit. :-)
[ Updated at 2018.1.26 ]

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.