Gundam Converge EX 22 : MRX-010 Psyco Gundam Mk-II

Released in tandem with Converge #11 is also the latest EX figure, the extra large Psycho Gundam Mk-II. This behemoth is one of many designs that we have seen creeping into Converge from the Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam, a line of figures that had been forgotten for much too long.

The Mark 2 is very similar to the previously released Psycho Gundam. Not only do they have a very similar look and feel about them, but both figures are able to transform into their respective mobile armor modes. To this end I of course insisted on purchasing two figures. Bandai has priced the Mark 2 at ¥2950 but I was able to pick up two of them for only ¥2000 each from Mandarake who had apparently got their hands on a large quantity of them. The price now seems to have stabilized around ¥3000.

The box is absolutely crammed full with parts bags, I doubt I would even be able to get them back inside without making the box bulge out of shape. How do they do this?

On first inspection this seems a very straightforward build but the figure contains quite a bit of intricate engineering features as we shall see.

Mobile Suit Mode

The mobile suit mode is the main mode for this figure and the parts that come in the box have been optimized for simple build. We don't need to do much more than slapping together two pieces of body and attaching legs, arms and a few additional components to complete the figure. The only challenge comes from some of the pegs which do not fit that well into their respective sockets.

When the Mark-II is completed there will be a few leftover parts as seen to the right in the assembly picture above.

The completed Psyco Gundam Mk-II stands about nine and a half centimeters tall, which is roughly the same height as some of the other recent Converge EX figures like the Devil Gundam and the Queen Mansa. It has a very striking colour scheme and several shiny metallic details in silver and gold.

The shiny red eyes are almost hidden underneath the big brow although some of the silver trim can be seen giving it a very menacing look. The articulation has been improved over the first Psyco Gundam figure. Where the original Psyco Gundam figure had square slots for its arms (and so could only have the arms in 90 degree angles) the Mk-II now comes with standard circular slots which opens up for more custom posing. The head can barely turn in between the tight shoulder pauldrons but the hands rotate freely at the wrists (although one of these joints was so tight on my figure that I dared not turn the hand for fear of twisting the plastic).

Standing side by side with the original MRX-009 Psyco Gundam the relation between the two Converge figures can clearly be seen.

Mobile Armor Mode

The Psyco Gundams can parts transform into what is known as fortress mode. While transforming mobile suits in the Mobile Suit Zeta era typically transform into streamlined high speed fighters the Psycos instead turtle up into very blocky flying bunkers with tiny little wings sticking out from the sides for no particular reason.

The conversion from mobile suit to mobile fortress mode is quite complex and the instruction leaflet can be a bit overwhelming at first. You basically have to disassemble the arms and legs, remove some components from the upper torso and replace the hip section, even the shield comes apart to form multi-part wings.

This is no small feat on FusionWorks' part, I think they have done a tremendous job on parts transforming this figure even though I wouldn't want to ever pull the mobile armor mode back into mobile suit mode again. Hence I got two figures...

In its mobile fortress mode the Psyco Gundam comes together very nicely with not too many visible pegs or slots although the hole for the shield on the right arm is a little bit annoying. The clear stand which is included with the figure propels it up from the ground giving that nice floating effect which makes it that much more formidable looking.

Again next to the Mobile Fortress mode of the original Psyco Gundam. The two designs resemble each other very strongly and at the same time look quite different still. I love the tall head of the Mk-II although the beefy shields looked better on the Mk-I.

If you were a fan of the original Psyco Gundam figure you will no doubt already have grabbed or put this figure on your purchasing list. I think this is one of the more interesting looking EX figures also for more casual collectors and I love that it has the same chunky and sturdy feel as a normal Converge figure. Too many of the Converge EX figures have gone down the road of hard plastic and model kit complexity, this figure captures the essence of Converge just perfectly.

Stay tuned for a separate review of the Mk-II option set which is sold separately as a Premium Bandai item (but of course...).