Banpresto Mech Saga Figure Vol. 1

The Mech Saga Figure series is a relatively obscure series of small figures made specifically for gaming arcades. The series saw five sets of regular releases between 2014 and 2015 as well as a larger DX figure (the Byg-Zam which we have looked at earlier). I received a question regarding their articulation the other day and since I had no clue since I was yet to unbox any of them I figured it would be a good opportunity forward for a first look and review.


Back in 2014 Unicorn was still the rage and so this first set features four very recognizable profiles from the series. These are unfortunately the only UC figures in the line, the following four sets all revert back to the original 1979 television series. This first set was made available in May 2014 and comes in neat compact little boxes sporting both the Craneking and JAMMA logos in addition to the Banpresto one. The boxes also sport the short code [48944] but no full barcode and is the quickest way to distinguish them.


Each figure comes in a multi-compartment plastic bag similar to the ones used on Gundam Converge and other related figurines. Cardboard support is offered to some of the more delicate components and the Banshee has its head wrapped to protect its elaborate V-fin.


I think these images answer all questions regarding figure articulation. The components are as you can see sculpted into specific poses and the joints all use shaped pegs so you can't even swivel arms or torsos. Each figure is supported by a standardized translucent blue hexagonal base with the peg hole off centre. Let's assemble the crew.



RX-0 Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode)


First out is the Destroy Mode Unicorn. It sports an (intentionally) bent beam saber and shield and comes in a very dynamic pose ready to strike. The V-fins are little bit bent but otherwise the figure is very much in shape straight out of the box. Colouring on this type of figure is often much better than on modern releases and the Psycho Frame is also filled in properly on the backside. There is even green paint on the rear view camera but the V-fin is for some reason only painted on the front side. I am usually not that fond of figures that must sit on their bases but at least these are fairly unobtrusive and the foot print is small enough that you can get up close and personal. Aesthetically, the figure resembles proportions on larger SD figures with a head larger than what you would see on a similar Converge figure for example. You can se see some size comparisons further down the review.






MSN-06S Sinanju


The Sinanju is a complex mobile suit design and is a good quality test for your figure line. The Mech Saga Figure looks great but has some limitations. The shield has obviously been skipped because of its size and complex paint scheme but the backpack with boosters is looking great and has a lot of colour applications. Notice also the painted soles of its feet. The main drawback is the gold trimming which is missing the black detail. I guess you could try to fill out by hand if you have a lot of patience and a small pen or paintbrush.






RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee (Destroy Mode)


As a figure collector you are used to seeing sets being padded by offering multiple figures of the same sculpt but different colour. The two Unicorns for example share a lot of similarities but here Banpresto is providing a completely different sculpt, not just a lazy modification of the Vist Foundation Unicorn. What is even cooler is that it is deploying its Newtype Destroyer System. The entire poses are as you can see completely different between the two Unicorns, quite commendable.






RGZ-95C ReZEL Commander Type


The last figure in this set is a Commander Type ReZEL which means shiny green sensor suite and Mega Beam Launcher armament. The weapon has a small peg that attaches it to the backpack. This is the only figure in the set that I think has a slightly disappointing pose. Remember kids, keep your back straight and your gaze firmly in your opponents eyes.


The Mech Sage Figures don't really match any of the common deformed Shokugan figure series we usually feature around here. The size is somewhere in between Ensemble and Converge, and the large heads are also a bit out of style with the others. Seen here from left to right are ReZELs from Gundam Converge, Mobile Suit Ensemble, Mech Saga and Mobility Joint Gundam.


We are going to wrap this review up here. The Mech Saga Unicorn team is a real one-off making it hard to recommend to augment an existing collection but as figures in their own right they look really great, especially considering their size and (secondary market) price point. I would really have liked to see a second wave with some more faces and I can imagine that a DX figure of the Kshatriya in a dynamic pose would have been really spectacular. Alas, what you see here is what you get. Eventually, we will return to this brand to take a look at some of the U.C. 0079 releases as well.