MG Gundam Ver. 3.0

Here it is, the original grand-daddy of the Gundam franchise. Amuro Ray's Gundam. This version 3.0 MG Gundam was released after the Real Grade line was launched and features many of the updates of that particular line in the Master Grade size. It focuses more on being a realistic looking military machine rather than accurate to the original anime design. This kit also features several differing shades of gray/white for the main body to add a little more color separation and more intricate stickers.

The kit includes space for an led unit, though it is difficult to find yellow leds to match the Gundam's color scheme. I did find one, and it looks great, shining out of the eyes and the main camera in the crest of the head.

The led is also easy to access, as the yellow collar section separates from the main body to reveal the space for the light. It is much easier to get to than in the Nu/Hi-Nu Gundams which require you to pull a hatch off the back of the torso.

There are still newer versions of the RX-78-2, which seem to be better received than this kit, but I feel that virtually everything to do with this kit is perfect. The proportion is perfect throughout the body and head, which isn't always the case.

I was never really a fan of the original Gundam design, I felt it was just too cartoon-y compared to designs from Zeon or the later series, which all seemed much more technical. But this kit, with it's multiple armor panels and color separation (see the thighs in the picture above compared to the anime version at the top) really make the unit look more like an actual mechanical item.

The kit also comes with pieces for a core fighter which can transform into the core block which makes the central section of the mobile suit. Luckily, it also included a non-transforming, extra core block so you can display the core fighter alongside the Gundam.