Banpresto Mech Saga Figure DX : MA-08 Big-Zam

Today we are doing something different again. We're checking out a claw machine prize figure of the ol' Byg-Zam/Big-Zam (whichever you fancy) mobile armor. The Mech Saga figure series was manufactured by Banpresto between 2014 and 2015 and saw a total of five four-figure waves and this extra large DX-figure from 2014. Judging from its barcode this would most likely have appeared in between waves 2 and 3. We don't have any other of these figures on the blog yet because I haven't actually gone around to unboxing them yet.


The box does a really good job of telling what is to be found inside. Besides the Banpresto logo also notice the commonly seen Craneking and JAMMA logos on the front and top of the box respectively. The sides also have the typical circular perforations for a claw machine to grab hold off but this box is still unharmed, and was probably purchased off the shelf in a specialized shop somewhere. You can see the Mech Saga figures on the secondary market from time to time, a set of four usually goes for around ¥2000 and this DX figure should be around there as well.


The figure is protected by additional sturdy brown cardboard inside the outer box but these ziplock bags are definitely not original. Prize figures of this type usually come in large compartmentalized and sealed plastic bags similar to the ones used by Gundam Converge and similar figures.


Here are all the parts laid out. Everything has that nice feel of big, soft and chunky plastic. This is not a flimsy Ensemble figure that will fall apart if you look at it. Just jam the various components into their respective sockets and you are good to go.


One thing I have never quite grasped about prize figures is that even though they are large and often well painted they aren't necessarily pricey at all, unless they happen to be very popular. I have to assume these are made in very large quantities compared to the usual Shokugan and Gashapon figures we look at here but I still don't get how that market works. What I can see however, is that this is a very detailed and well-sculpted figure with a lot of care taken to give it a faithful representation. The different green colours used may not be entirely show accurate but looks very nice. As for articulation there is none, but you can rotate the legs inside their round sockets.


Although this figure doesn't follow the deformed standard of Converge or Ensemble figures it can still be an interesting alternative for those wanting a large and intimidating Big-Zam to go with the mobile suits. Here it poses with the latest RX-78 from Converge line (the one with those terrible feet that just keeps toppling over...). While the art style isn't exactly comparable the sturdy soft plastic look definitely goes well with Converge figures.


Digging out my other Big-Zam figures for this shot was the most entertaining part of doing this review. I might go back in the future and revisit this review if I ever get around to actually feature the smaller Mech Saga Figures on the blog. Meanwhile, here the DX figure towers above the following from left to right: A very top-heavy Big-Zam from the SD Full Color DX line (also comes with a tiny Dozle Zabi figurine), the Zabi family's personal Byg-Zam from the Gashapon HG Mecha Selection line (Part 3 released in 2002), a stubby and articulated figure from the Gashapon Warrior NEXT Premier line (from the 4th box-set released in December 2014), a tiny SD Full Color figure from Stage 9 (released in June 1999) and the imho awful looking and janky Converge EX figure from March 2020.