Fun fact! For the gunpla that have the led light function that is connected to the base (mainly the unicorn line), the motherboard that controls the timer and what sequence the lights turn on is NOT part of the lights installed in the gundam but instead is located at the base. Essentially, if you cut off the wire connecting to the battery pack and connect it with a suitable volt adaptor (the only one i know is 6.0 volts for the unicorn line), you can have all the lights turned on for however long you want with just a flick of the switch! And its easy to change too!
My favorite perfect grade: Original RX-78-2, it's the only one I have and I enjoyed building it so much I took the time to panel line everything and add all of the decals.
@@starsportscardshobbiesandm7222 it sure is, the redesign the whole torso...which make unleash so tempting even to some one who hate Rx78-2 like i’m. Never thought that i will love grand daddy gundam...this is the first, and could be the last
Bought the PG perfect strike based on your review . Previous experience was with the Wing Gundam Custom from endless waltz (one of my personal favorite mechs) and I had no idea what to expect . Hefty frame and lots of bolt together parts. Took a shelf dive on me and broke the wings and left arm so it’s been put into retirement waiting on the repairs .
Every time I hear trans-am i just think of an old pontiac. I can't help it. 00 is the first gundam series i ever watched and that association is still engraved in my psyche.
I recommend the PG GP01, you can build either the GP01 or GP01FB, its just an armor and core fighter swap, so they make it easy to switch it up. The core fighters are cool as hell. It has spring loaded verniers all over the place in FB mode, and it comes with a display hangar type stand you can use to display the extra armor and weapons. The articulation is great, the inner frame is awesome, it’s got the moving pistons and stuff. Absolutely grab one if you can find it. The only issue is that it’s construction is a bit like the Ex-S Gundam, with some screws, but the end result is worth it.
Bandai: Here is an innovative lighting system and a new method to building that allows you more options for display and customisation. Mecha: Yeah, but the this one has more bits hanging off it though :p
Please do a pre-Strike PG sometime. Your perspective on retro kits is always super interesting. MK-II seems to be the fan favorite, and having built GP-01, I think you'd really enjoy it, especially with the painting potential they have, if you ever feel up for it. The build times if you go all out absolutely crush anything comparable we see from Bandai today, so there's a really good value there for those interested.
I really enjoyed building the PG red Zaku last year. But i highly recommend painting it. It looks fantastic! Exia is a favorite and I love the PG Unicorn with the Full Armor, it is massive!
also check out the PG GP01 that can be converted into the Full Burnern and comes with a large hangar rack that you could store all the accessories onto when not in use.
The PG Gundam GP-01 is my personal favorite Not only do you get all the parts for the Zephyranthes but also the conversion pats to full burnern giving you 2 PG in one plus the included stand is designed like a maintenance bay to display the unused parts weapons and even workers in normal suits. Obviously big price tag but in the end we'll worth every penny.
I really wanted to hate or disagree with your choices and opinions but you made such good points! Also didn’t realize the strike and perfect strike had those extra details on the armor. Nicely done.
The PG Strike goes together simply and is soundly designed, though arguably lacking some of the more fun bells and whistles. The Exia is flashy and cool, but the construction is finicky to the point of frustration. So each PG's build is an analogy to the other one's show. Hey-o.
Simple? Seed? They threw in every alternate human sub plot in gundam, added their own, had a giant space whale fossil, etc. Now I will not sit here and defend 00's plot because I still have no god damn idea what happened in the second half of season 1
@@jeff3221 It describes the _other_ one's show. ...And even then I'm being _exceptionally_ generous to a series I loathe, having finished it recently. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of Seed is I can now watch ReRise and get all the little moments where ReRise craps all over Seed. (So _that's_ why Kazami started out like a braying ass... he has a Seed suit!)
@@draketheduelist Hahahaha yeah Seed has some insane flaws. Honestly I don't even think it'd be anywhere near as bad if they hadn't be forced to make it 50 episodes. Anyway, rerise is top tier content
can you elaborate more on PG exia? why do u say the construction is frustrating? is it hand granade-y or smthing breaks easily? cuz i.want that kit, either that or pg strike
The perfect strike is my first PG and it's by far a fun kit to build and with the strike packs there's so many possibilities for poses and with the extra parts it's definitely going to be a custom project in the future definitely one of the best PG. The only issue I have so far to the joints are a bit weak and needs to be tightened also not sure if it's all bases but mine doesn't really hold that well at the straight point but that's easily fixable
PG Zero was totally a product of its time. Which is to say it was yet another overly ambitious kit that was complete junk by today's standards that paved the way for better kits to come.
The build was kinda scary because the wiring is tedious while the plastic is not the best( it’s so brittle that it causes stress marks when I attached the chest armor and the feet). The wings are fragile while the hips on mine wobbles a lot (the die cast ball point that’s inserts between the waist so that the legs can connect should have been one piece with two ball joints on each sides). However, it’s still a beautiful kit and is ironically my favorite. I still recommend it to any wing fans but objectively, it’s not the best Pg.
Well, you can buy a KO of it for like 20$. It's a stand, not available otherwise, so I don't think anyone can complain "BuT WHy WoULD yOU BuY KO ITs A Sin"
1. Perfect Strike 2. Exia Lightning 3. PGU RX-78-2 The Exia LED kit has so much more going on than the Unicorn plus if you go with the third party LED option with the USB port, you can set it on the light cycle forever. I use it as a nightlight for my daughter.
Unless you want to give yourself a power screw hassle and potentially have a spring getting lost from flying, definitely avoid perfect grades before the pg strike. Especially with the zeta ver ka, you don't need a pg zeta for transformation. For an all around good, affordable kit, get any of the strikes. Better to start with the rouge, so if later you want to upgrade, you can get the perfect strike and avoid same colors. For shelf presence get pg strike freedom (make sure you get replacement parts). Being able to spread the wings is a massive plus
I suggest you take MG grand daddy. i already have few MG and finally 2 week ago i bought MG grand daddy 3.0 and damn that kit so awesome. It solid, the surface got nice detail, color separation is good and the important thing is it so simple to build even with so many separation color and gimmick.
Gundam the Origin Jegan Wing Gundam Proto Zero Lunamaria's Zaku Warrior Duel Gundam Assault Shroud(really just any mg of the first five) Just a few good suggestions. Most MGs won't be too difficult for beginners except for most ver. Kas, bigger kits, and a few more complex kits like the Barbatos.
The one gripe you have about the PG Exia can be fixed with a third party LED unit from Dragon Momoko. It's significantly cheaper, and if I remember correctly, it is USB powered, not battery.
funny thing to note is that Dabans take on the PG exia LED gimmick comes with a micro-usb jack on the battery compartment. i dont know what Bandai was thinking to not add that feature when the PG exia was produced around the time when usb are on absolutely almost everything. oh they also have a scaled up Avalanche armor conversion set as well
I’m occasionally prodding my local gunpla pusher to get the PG AEUG Gundam Mk II It’s one of the older ones, but man does it hold up, with so much detail and such a mean face on it. That and the Zeta looks pretty good as well. The rest of the PG’s doesn’t really speak to me. The Unleashed RX-78-2 looks fun to build and pose, but there’s something... too much, about it.
I have one PG, the RX-178 GUNDAM Mk-II2 AEUG version which I got as a Christmas present, and I wish it came with a stand as it's rather top-heavy and fell over once on me breaking its bazooka. Need fix it up and finish it up one day but I need get a new desk for model building. I want the Unleashed RX-78-2 but its hefty price is a major limit for me.
I've gotten the perfect strike and it is awesome. I also got the astray red frame kai and you should get it. the sword is as long as the one with the perfect strike but way more hefty.
Honestly it would just be awesome to see IBO get some representation in grades other than HG. Perfect grade, master grade, real grade, it's all good just give us something
You can buy "AA Battery Eliminator" to hot wire the battery pack to a wall plug, then you can control the on/off from the wall plug and no need to fiddle with the battery compartment.
I have: Strike Gundam ×2, Skygrasper, P Bandai Perfect Strike weapons set, Astray Red Frame, Banshee Norn, P Bandai Banshee Weapon set, Gundam MkII, RX78-2 Unleashed. Most of them are partially built, except for one of the Strikes and the MkII, which are both great kits. The MkII has plenty of opening hatches, hydraulics, springs and a not-overly-complex LED system. Being an old kit, there is quite a few screws which could be a turn off for some. My advice is use a powered screwdriver, because if you don't get the screws all the way in, you'll end up with loose joints. The P-Bandai Banshee set is a good buy, because it comes with those cool weapons from the Banshee's first appearance (which I prefer to the rifle and shield), sexy gold waterslide decals, and a miniature Marida Cruz figure. I'm building the Unleashed at the moment, and it is awesome. Actually a little simpler than the other PGs I've worked on. Two main gripes: No waterslide decals included, and it would have been awesome if they included duplicate eye/camera lenses so that you could swap between stickered and translucent parts. I don't want to cover the LED parts with stickers, but the eyes are very dark when not lit up.
I have strike rouge, strike freedom. Ordered perfect strike. Good tips. Probably won't get the older perfect grades before the strike since don't want to deal with the screws.
I have a PG Perfect Strike as my first but haven't built it yet. 🤣 Then recently got a PBandai PG Astray Blue Frame also unbuilt. Looking forward to building these awesome kits! I recommend you get an Astray PG, Mecha!
@@abrohm2983 yes, and no, in terms of real grades a psycho gundam is cool, and overdue, but it’s also not *necessary* it’s from a series that has gotten a lot of love, and has an oversimplified transformation. I’d say something Sentinel is kind of required at this point because the technology has come so far that not fixing the wrongs that were the RG Z and pretty much the entire seed line is kind of a crime. It’s a bounty of miraculous designs even in a detached sense from the shows Gundam Sentinel and Hathaway were my prime examples because their not normal, and most real grades we’ve gotten are. Now that the line is stable and working it’s way into becoming more PG like we need Bandai to re-explore the more ambitious designs like Z, Ex-S, Xi, Penelope, G Mk-V, etc these designs need their justice. Psycho gundam is great and all, but in essence it is a bigger RX-179, and that’s it, so yes I needs to be a thing, but I think it can take a back burner
3:05 about that...the standard 00 Raiser PG doesnt have a stand at all. I spent a week on mine and was kinda disappointed that it didnt get one considering the backpack WILL tip it over. *edit* OK so the 00 Raiser's first print had stands, but subsequent ones apparently didn't. you'd have to buy a seperate thing for it.
6:30 It would probably be really easy to wire in a DC jack to replace the batteries. Then, naturally, select a wall adapter with the right output voltage, or you could power it off USB with a boost converter, etc etc. I agree it should come standard though; batteries in the stand wouldnt be my first choice either.
The M. J. H. LED kit comes with the ability to be powered via Micro USB and it can stay on indefinitely. Plus, if you can find it, it's cheaper than the standard LED kit and the LED's are just as nice in my experience. Also Mecha Gaikotsu is mistaken about this kit, it DOES come with articulated hands. It's just it also comes with static weapon/posed hands too.
I bought my first PG last year and I was actually torn between the PG Unleashed and the Perfect Strike. Glad I went with the Perfect Strike. I still plan to get the Unleashed and the PG Strike Freedom.
Top 3 are spot on. All those sets deserve the 1st place in all honesty. To this collection I added the Astray and avoided the 00 thanks also to your previous reviews. Now lets wait the 2022 PG.
The only perfect grade I have is the RX-178 Mk II (Titans version) I built it like 15 years ago, and its still in great shape. It was a super fun, and long(but not in a bad way) build and I loved every second of it.
Hi Mecha, My personal top 2 would be the Astray Red on 2 and the Strike Rouge on 1. Partially for the same reasons as your own ranking. The Astray doesnt have a stand, even though the hip section is the same, and would fit on the already existing stand that comes with the Strike Rouge or separate Skygrasper. The Strike Rouge was my 1st, and i absolutely love the Perfect grade Strike inner frame. That kit is insanely awesome. Its pretty much just a recolored Strike with an Aile strike pack and an action base. I love it for all the same reasons you love your Strikes. Finding out the Astray was based on it, i had high hopes, but it honestly was quite disappointing instead. A lot of motion features in that frame are unused for the Astray, and simply covered up with plates. Sometimes not even fully covered. When the Astray bends a knee, you can see unused C clips inside that would cause more armor separation on the knee in the Strike. All through the build, it kinda feels like an afterthought, and the new parts for the Astray, are weirdly unsatisfying. The big shoulderplates show undetailed construction pins when the arm even slightly raises. Almost high grade level. On a Perfect grade, that is inexcusable to me. In any normalish poses, the model still looks great though, and it was super cheap for a Perfect grade. If i ever find the Skygrasper set separately, i'll be getting that for the Astray, mostly just for the stand. The Aile strike pack almost fits in its back. It even has the same torso inner frame in cluding the unused polycap to attach the wings. Just needs to get rid of its own tiny pack and a little filing of the back groove they seemingly intentionally made half a milimeter not wide enough to fit the Aile strike pack right out of the box... All in all, that Astray has some weird decisions in the kit. I'm still waiting for a Strike Freedom to arrive at some point, then i can make a top 3😅 Anyway, i love all your reviews. Got into gunpla fairly recently and you certainly helped me on my path! Thats enough from me. Thanks again for the detailed breakdowns in all the reviews!
make sure you get the metal replacement parts for the pg strike freedom. I do recommend the strike rouge over the other ones since you can always upgrade later to the pg perfect strike and avoid duplicates. Strike freedom overall probably has the best shelf presence. Avoid pre strike pgs unless you want powered bolts and springs getting lost
Finally got my pgu rx-78-2 and man was that a fun build. A long one (probably around 20 hours across 3 days) but a very fun build. Not sure what my next PG will be, but it's gonna have a lot to live up to
I only have four perfect grades so far and this is just my personal least favorite to favorite. 4. Pg wing Zero custom. It looks good if you like more of a classy look, but I hate the build. If you don’t like screws then you’re going to hate it. The amount of screws it has will drive you mad. Plus you’re going to have to do the LED assembly. And obviously the worst part is that it don’t come with a stand. And the last thing is that the plastic feels a bit brittle. 3. The original pg RX-78-2. Again it had a very classic look to it and not a lot of detail on the armor. But there are two things about it that I just love about it. It it really does feel like a 1/60 robot and to be in a frame is drop dead gorgeous. No I don’t feel like something you would want to play around a lot it’s mostly just something to look at. 2. The pg 00 raiser. For me I actually do like it a little bit more than you do in my opinion. Not only the clutch joints suck but they are useless. Especially the one for the wrist. You’re never going to use that joint. Now I don’t dislike it as much as you did but still. My biggest problem with it is that I don’t quite feel like a perfect grade. I just feel like a 1/60 MG. It doesn’t have the most detailed inner frame I’ve seen and the legs to fall off quite a bit when you move them. However my favorite part about it is the possibility. It’s actually the only perfect grade where I like to pose it a lot. It’s just too bad they didn’t come with a stand. I’m not joking he original one (not the Trans Am version) not comes with a stand. 1. Pg banshee norn. It’s solid, (except for the ankle) It looks great in both modes, and the accessories are really good. But there are three things that I don’t like. One are the hands. The ball joint should’ve been a rotation. Because the weapons troops down easily. The full armor add-on came with trigger fingers which was awesome but I don’t have it so you know. And I also hate the connection for the big shield. The connection for is just too small and it does feel like it could snap at any moment. No just a two things I want to warn you. 1. old perfect grades until the strike gundam came with a bunch of screws and LED Assembly and if you’re not a fan of those then you’re going to hate it. 2. The old perfect grades may look out dated compared to modern kits and they’re not that poseable. The best attraction the older ones is that if you are an expert at painting the smallest little details to make it look real then you’re gonna be in heaven. They also feel like collector items. Not something to mess around with a lot. But if you’d like to pose your kits a lot then Buy the newer ones. The next perfect grade that I want to get is either the Gundam Mk-II the strike freedom or the pg Gundam Exia. If I had to recommend A perfect grade for you to build it would possibly be the Gundam RX-78 GP01/FB. It pretty much has everything that it needs. Bottom line is that I don’t think none of the perfect grades are bad it just comes down to how much you want. Except for the PG Evangelion. Avoid that one.
I agree.. had a great time building mine. Kitbashed and fully painted it. It's big too, stands taller than my other PGs. I like that it feels mechanical and functional, unlike the 00 or Unicorn which are more like fantasy mecha. The MkII is more like a GM than a hero MS.
The PG Gundam Mk II is fantastic to build holds up really well ! I have the titans Version but I think my favorite is the unleashed still I do want to build a ph Zaku 2 but don't want to get the old one. hopefully we get a Zaku 2 2.0 pg at some point
The old PG Zaku does suffer from some unfortunate seam lines, but the inner frame more than makes up for it. It has pistons on pretty much every joint.
I’ve built two PGs the Titans gundam and Char’s red Zaku both were/are awesome builds! Some complaints with the LEDs, but that’s nit picking. Thanks for this video, I’m planning on buying a PG for my bday in a few weeks
mine has still gotta be the rx-78-2 unleashed its not just the articulation not just the incredible details its the fact that its build is layer by layer where u can almost feel as if ur constructing a gundam itself as it comes together in skeleton frame then armor
My favorite MG and PG kits tend to be ones that feel like they're actually robots, with slidind bits, pistons, hydraulic cables, etc. Stuff like the OG RX-78-2, GP01(and FB variant), or MKII PG kits, with those wonderful inner frames. I stopped building plamo years ago specifically because it looked like Bandai was moving away from that aesthetic towards something more pared-down, basic, and articulation focused. About the only kit I been tempted on in the last decade has been the MG Barbatos, because of what looks like a nice return to form.
I've built The Strike Freedom Gundam and it has the biggest shelf presence. I did use 8 action base 4s and 4 Hangar Scene Bases from 30mm to made the Dragoons appear deployed with the wings open. But it comes with a stand for the Gundam
Hey mecha Gaikotsu, For the lights turning off there is a way to make it so it does not turn off on a timer . if you hold the light switching button as you turn it on it puts it in a mode where there is no timer. it works on the pg unicorn but im not sure about the pg exia
You definitely need to check the PG Red Frame Astray, very fun kit to put together. Only complaint (other than no stand) is only having one katana.. although the one it does have measures a cool 13" end to end.
I regret not picking one up I saw on sale in Japan. It had the second Katana in a smaller box taped to the main one. The second one seemed to be an exclusive.
just a personal question. dont you find PG Astray a somehow short or dwarf in appearance? i also have it but for me it really looks like a buffed dwarf gundam compare to the RG and MG version.
6:40 Get a Chinese aftermarket bootleg LED kit for the PG Exia. They cost half of what the original LED kit costs. They take researchable Li-Io cells. They have a USB port that will charge the cells or simply power the model. The LEDs stay on continuously. It even comes with a remote control with tons of additional modes. Essential upgrade to any PG Exia IMHO.
For some very strange reason I had a dream last night where i was at a store that dosent exist irl and saw some fishing lure batteries and mentioned to my dad that they worked with the pgu rx-78-2 beam saber
I may not ever own a perfect grade but that Perfect Strike is really tempting. I have a custom color idea in mind for the MG Strike and I bet it would look nice even bigger.
I have only bought 4 PGs technically 2 since i have RX-0 unicorn, banshee and phenix nt. And used a thrid party led base for them that had a remote to control lights and micro usb charging
In terms of money, Yes I can get a pg but the reason I don't like pg is the size hahaha I prefer mg, not too big, not too small, it looks cool of course
I find the pg strike as the best perfect grade. A fun build, great balance, great poseability and great for anyone's wallet. And even if your aiming for the perfect strike, considering the amount of items, options, detail improvement and the stand, it's pretty much at a considerable price. I'm even surprised that it is only a bit more expensive than the unicorn, and that's without counting the led and the frustration of installing the led. The red frame on the otherhand is surprisingly underwhelming. The poseability from the waist down is a bit hindered by some of the armor. Which is ironic.
Hmm you are missing Strike Freedom, Wing Zero Custom and Double Katana Astray Red frame, these are pretty cool too, but my favorite is definitely the unleashed RX-78. Unless they do a unleash Infinite Justice that would be my dream.
I only have 2 PG kits. One is the (actual) plain jane Red Frame Astray. The Astray is a cool kit, but one that made me realize how much EFFORT goes into painting a PG. It has SO MANY PARTS. It was kind of a nightmare. I ended up just painting the stuff that made the most sense to me after a while and it shows. It's great though. I like how chonky it is. Very much close to lineart in proportions vs say, the Hi-Res. Ain't anything spectacular though, so don't expect to be absolutely blown out of the water, but for it's price, what used to be one of the cheapest PGs next to the granddaddy, I can't complain too much. The other is the Daban Phenex. I can't say I recommend it too much, despite it still looking rather cool. I don't know how much the Unicorn you showed off compares, but like, the joints are droopy, the paint app was bad in some areas, and it didn't come with the tails for the shields (though I think that's applicable to the Bandai Phenex too). It also cost a third of the Bandai variant. Bought it to see if I could paint it up and make it look comparable, but have been lazy. Also to note: The Unicorn lighting kit from Daban has can be USB powered. It has three modes, but still turns off after a while, even on USB mode.
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Wait, didn’t your review of PG Exia have the articulated hands?
@Shin-Gundam a PG Tallgeese would’ve been awesome
@Shin-Gundam though I would’ve also liked to see a PG from the Gundam Build series
only if it comes with a stand
Great recommendations, thank you for your effort!
Fun fact! For the gunpla that have the led light function that is connected to the base (mainly the unicorn line), the motherboard that controls the timer and what sequence the lights turn on is NOT part of the lights installed in the gundam but instead is located at the base. Essentially, if you cut off the wire connecting to the battery pack and connect it with a suitable volt adaptor (the only one i know is 6.0 volts for the unicorn line), you can have all the lights turned on for however long you want with just a flick of the switch! And its easy to change too!
Nice! Now if only I could afford one!
To be honest I can’t afford any
Me too
Yup
If I could I'd buy all of you gundam kits.
@@KiomonDuck please
My favorite perfect grade: Original RX-78-2, it's the only one I have and I enjoyed building it so much I took the time to panel line everything and add all of the decals.
mine's falling apart
The unleashed version is better
@@starsportscardshobbiesandm7222 it sure is, the redesign the whole torso...which make unleash so tempting even to some one who hate Rx78-2 like i’m. Never thought that i will love grand daddy gundam...this is the first, and could be the last
The foil sticker decals on the 1998 PG RX-78-2 are god awful same goes with the eye sticker. Wish they would of have water slide decals.
@@NamelessPassenger I was not much a fan of the RX-78-2 but the MG the origins kit got me
Bought the PG perfect strike based on your review . Previous experience was with the Wing Gundam Custom from endless waltz (one of my personal favorite mechs) and I had no idea what to expect . Hefty frame and lots of bolt together parts. Took a shelf dive on me and broke the wings and left arm so it’s been put into retirement waiting on the repairs .
Every time I hear trans-am i just think of an old pontiac. I can't help it. 00 is the first gundam series i ever watched and that association is still engraved in my psyche.
I recommend the PG GP01, you can build either the GP01 or GP01FB, its just an armor and core fighter swap, so they make it easy to switch it up. The core fighters are cool as hell. It has spring loaded verniers all over the place in FB mode, and it comes with a display hangar type stand you can use to display the extra armor and weapons. The articulation is great, the inner frame is awesome, it’s got the moving pistons and stuff. Absolutely grab one if you can find it. The only issue is that it’s construction is a bit like the Ex-S Gundam, with some screws, but the end result is worth it.
🤩🤩😍👍🏽⛩🎆😋
Bandai: Here is an innovative lighting system and a new method to building that allows you more options for display and customisation.
Mecha: Yeah, but the this one has more bits hanging off it though :p
Still praying Bandai makes a PG Quanta and Freedom to complete the Setsuna and Kira main suit sets
I want a PG and MG Kyshatriya. It'd be huge but it would be awesome!!
Brian Laveck there is not even a pg sinanju what do you expect...
I would kill for a PG version of qant (full sabre), barbie, Hi(Nu) , sazabi, sinanju, and maybe an expansion for the exia repairs (2-4)
Im hoping for the PG Freedom too.
Already have the Strike Freedom and the Strike is ordered from HLJ.
The Freedom would complet the set :D
nah nah nah what we need is another RX-78-2 and Unicorn
Please do a pre-Strike PG sometime. Your perspective on retro kits is always super interesting. MK-II seems to be the fan favorite, and having built GP-01, I think you'd really enjoy it, especially with the painting potential they have, if you ever feel up for it. The build times if you go all out absolutely crush anything comparable we see from Bandai today, so there's a really good value there for those interested.
I really enjoyed building the PG red Zaku last year. But i highly recommend painting it. It looks fantastic! Exia is a favorite and I love the PG Unicorn with the Full Armor, it is massive!
also check out the PG GP01 that can be converted into the Full Burnern and comes with a large hangar rack that you could store all the accessories onto when not in use.
The PG Gundam GP-01 is my personal favorite Not only do you get all the parts for the Zephyranthes but also the conversion pats to full burnern giving you 2 PG in one plus the included stand is designed like a maintenance bay to display the unused parts weapons and even workers in normal suits. Obviously big price tag but in the end we'll worth every penny.
I really wanted to hate or disagree with your choices and opinions but you made such good points! Also didn’t realize the strike and perfect strike had those extra details on the armor. Nicely done.
The PG Strike goes together simply and is soundly designed, though arguably lacking some of the more fun bells and whistles. The Exia is flashy and cool, but the construction is finicky to the point of frustration. So each PG's build is an analogy to the other one's show. Hey-o.
Simple? Seed? They threw in every alternate human sub plot in gundam, added their own, had a giant space whale fossil, etc.
Now I will not sit here and defend 00's plot because I still have no god damn idea what happened in the second half of season 1
@@jeff3221 It describes the _other_ one's show. ...And even then I'm being _exceptionally_ generous to a series I loathe, having finished it recently.
Frankly, the only good thing to come out of Seed is I can now watch ReRise and get all the little moments where ReRise craps all over Seed. (So _that's_ why Kazami started out like a braying ass... he has a Seed suit!)
Kinda agree. I broke my pg exia. Still feel really sad about it.
@@draketheduelist Hahahaha yeah Seed has some insane flaws. Honestly I don't even think it'd be anywhere near as bad if they hadn't be forced to make it 50 episodes.
Anyway, rerise is top tier content
can you elaborate more on PG exia? why do u say the construction is frustrating? is it hand granade-y or smthing breaks easily? cuz i.want that kit, either that or pg strike
The perfect strike is my first PG and it's by far a fun kit to build and with the strike packs there's so many possibilities for poses and with the extra parts it's definitely going to be a custom project in the future definitely one of the best PG. The only issue I have so far to the joints are a bit weak and needs to be tightened also not sure if it's all bases but mine doesn't really hold that well at the straight point but that's easily fixable
Guarantee the last spot is gonna change when you add wing zero to your collection. That thing was a nightmare for me. Lol
PG Zero was totally a product of its time. Which is to say it was yet another overly ambitious kit that was complete junk by today's standards that paved the way for better kits to come.
what did it do to you ?🤔🤔🤔
I finally threw that kit away, lol.
The build was kinda scary because the wiring is tedious while the plastic is not the best( it’s so brittle that it causes stress marks when I attached the chest armor and the feet). The wings are fragile while the hips on mine wobbles a lot (the die cast ball point that’s inserts between the waist so that the legs can connect should have been one piece with two ball joints on each sides). However, it’s still a beautiful kit and is ironically my favorite. I still recommend it to any wing fans but objectively, it’s not the best Pg.
@@keiazuma9593 ya know what just sacrifice it to the Acetone deity
The PG 00 Raiser came with a unique stand as a first-run bonus back when it was released in 2009.
Pretty scummy move on Bandai's part, I know.
It even hurts knowing that the stand had a cool photoetch metal plate sheet that had the name of the suit on it too.
Well, you can buy a KO of it for like 20$. It's a stand, not available otherwise, so I don't think anyone can complain "BuT WHy WoULD yOU BuY KO ITs A Sin"
Cause Bandai is a bastard.
1. Perfect Strike
2. Exia Lightning
3. PGU RX-78-2
The Exia LED kit has so much more going on than the Unicorn plus if you go with the third party LED option with the USB port, you can set it on the light cycle forever. I use it as a nightlight for my daughter.
Unless you want to give yourself a power screw hassle and potentially have a spring getting lost from flying, definitely avoid perfect grades before the pg strike. Especially with the zeta ver ka, you don't need a pg zeta for transformation.
For an all around good, affordable kit, get any of the strikes. Better to start with the rouge, so if later you want to upgrade, you can get the perfect strike and avoid same colors. For shelf presence get pg strike freedom (make sure you get replacement parts). Being able to spread the wings is a massive plus
If only I could afford one. For now I’ll have to focus on getting my first MG, don’t know which one to get though. PS (Nice vid man)
MG Barbatos, MG RX-78 3.0 / Origin Ver., and Freedom Gundam (or any other Gundam Seed kits) are my go-to's for first timers Master Grade kits!
I suggest you take MG grand daddy. i already have few MG and finally 2 week ago i bought MG grand daddy 3.0 and damn that kit so awesome. It solid, the surface got nice detail, color separation is good and the important thing is it so simple to build even with so many separation color and gimmick.
2.0/3.0 rx78
Gundam the Origin
Jegan
Wing Gundam Proto Zero
Lunamaria's Zaku Warrior
Duel Gundam Assault Shroud(really just any mg of the first five)
Just a few good suggestions. Most MGs won't be too difficult for beginners except for most ver. Kas, bigger kits, and a few more complex kits like the Barbatos.
Thank you everyone for the great suggestions!
Been waiting for this series!!!!
The one gripe you have about the PG Exia can be fixed with a third party LED unit from Dragon Momoko. It's significantly cheaper, and if I remember correctly, it is USB powered, not battery.
or you can hack the battery compartment so it can be powered by usb...
hello, would it be okay for you to send me a link where I can buy this?
@@lorenzocruz767 Google M. J. H. LED kit. They aren't called Dragon Momoko anymore if I recall correctly.
funny thing to note is that Dabans take on the PG exia LED gimmick comes with a micro-usb jack on the battery compartment. i dont know what Bandai was thinking to not add that feature when the PG exia was produced around the time when usb are on absolutely almost everything.
oh they also have a scaled up Avalanche armor conversion set as well
I’m occasionally prodding my local gunpla pusher to get the PG AEUG Gundam Mk II
It’s one of the older ones, but man does it hold up, with so much detail and such a mean face on it.
That and the Zeta looks pretty good as well. The rest of the PG’s doesn’t really speak to me. The Unleashed RX-78-2 looks fun to build and pose, but there’s something... too much, about it.
PG Zaku char type is fun, gave mine murder spikes.
Agreed about the PGU. Honestly I prefer the Mega Size RX-78-2, it’s head mould is stunning and the outer detail is subtle but also substantial.
I enjoyed the pg rx78 original, and it looks more accurate than the unleashed. Plus for a kit from the 90s it still looks amazing.
I’d like to build that one soon
Just bought the RX-78-2 PG Unleashed, looking forward to getting the build done
I have one PG, the RX-178 GUNDAM Mk-II2 AEUG version which I got as a Christmas present, and I wish it came with a stand as it's rather top-heavy and fell over once on me breaking its bazooka. Need fix it up and finish it up one day but I need get a new desk for model building.
I want the Unleashed RX-78-2 but its hefty price is a major limit for me.
I've gotten the perfect strike and it is awesome. I also got the astray red frame kai and you should get it. the sword is as long as the one with the perfect strike but way more hefty.
watches this with only one Hg:
Also me: hmm intresting
Wouldn’t it be a dream come true if we got a PG Barbatos Lupus Rex?! That and the Heavyarms Custom are what I want to see as a Perfect Grade.
Honestly it would just be awesome to see IBO get some representation in grades other than HG. Perfect grade, master grade, real grade, it's all good just give us something
You can buy "AA Battery Eliminator" to hot wire the battery pack to a wall plug, then you can control the on/off from the wall plug and no need to fiddle with the battery compartment.
"I AM A GUNDAM" - some nut in a blue Gundam got me absolutely cracked up
I have:
Strike Gundam ×2,
Skygrasper,
P Bandai Perfect Strike weapons set,
Astray Red Frame,
Banshee Norn,
P Bandai Banshee Weapon set,
Gundam MkII,
RX78-2 Unleashed.
Most of them are partially built, except for one of the Strikes and the MkII, which are both great kits.
The MkII has plenty of opening hatches, hydraulics, springs and a not-overly-complex LED system. Being an old kit, there is quite a few screws which could be a turn off for some. My advice is use a powered screwdriver, because if you don't get the screws all the way in, you'll end up with loose joints.
The P-Bandai Banshee set is a good buy, because it comes with those cool weapons from the Banshee's first appearance (which I prefer to the rifle and shield), sexy gold waterslide decals, and a miniature Marida Cruz figure.
I'm building the Unleashed at the moment, and it is awesome. Actually a little simpler than the other PGs I've worked on. Two main gripes: No waterslide decals included, and it would have been awesome if they included duplicate eye/camera lenses so that you could swap between stickered and translucent parts. I don't want to cover the LED parts with stickers, but the eyes are very dark when not lit up.
I have strike rouge, strike freedom. Ordered perfect strike. Good tips. Probably won't get the older perfect grades before the strike since don't want to deal with the screws.
I have a PG Perfect Strike as my first but haven't built it yet. 🤣 Then recently got a PBandai PG Astray Blue Frame also unbuilt. Looking forward to building these awesome kits! I recommend you get an Astray PG, Mecha!
I’m just saying the next real grade that needs to come out is the Ex-S gundam, or the Penelope/Xi duo, and god damnit I hope it’s the Ex-S
phychogundam mk 2. only kit it ever had was 1/400 scale and it's over due for any real kit. would be absurd but that's great!
@@abrohm2983 yes, and no, in terms of real grades a psycho gundam is cool, and overdue, but it’s also not *necessary* it’s from a series that has gotten a lot of love, and has an oversimplified transformation. I’d say something Sentinel is kind of required at this point because the technology has come so far that not fixing the wrongs that were the RG Z and pretty much the entire seed line is kind of a crime. It’s a bounty of miraculous designs even in a detached sense from the shows
Gundam Sentinel and Hathaway were my prime examples because their not normal, and most real grades we’ve gotten are. Now that the line is stable and working it’s way into becoming more PG like we need Bandai to re-explore the more ambitious designs like Z, Ex-S, Xi, Penelope, G Mk-V, etc these designs need their justice. Psycho gundam is great and all, but in essence it is a bigger RX-179, and that’s it, so yes I needs to be a thing, but I think it can take a back burner
Give Epyon, Bandai. Do it.
It's about time Bandai need to remaster Master Grade GP01 kit, either Ver 2.0 or Ver.KA would be fine.
That grand slam is the grandest of slams my dude. You can't slam no better without ya hear!
Lol
3:05 about that...the standard 00 Raiser PG doesnt have a stand at all. I spent a week on mine and was kinda disappointed that it didnt get one considering the backpack WILL tip it over.
*edit* OK so the 00 Raiser's first print had stands, but subsequent ones apparently didn't. you'd have to buy a seperate thing for it.
Thank you for making this vid. There is not a lot of PG videos in youtube.
6:30
It would probably be really easy to wire in a DC jack to replace the batteries. Then, naturally, select a wall adapter with the right output voltage, or you could power it off USB with a boost converter, etc etc.
I agree it should come standard though; batteries in the stand wouldnt be my first choice either.
pretty sure it will work with usb power with 5v current...
The M. J. H. LED kit comes with the ability to be powered via Micro USB and it can stay on indefinitely. Plus, if you can find it, it's cheaper than the standard LED kit and the LED's are just as nice in my experience.
Also Mecha Gaikotsu is mistaken about this kit, it DOES come with articulated hands. It's just it also comes with static weapon/posed hands too.
I bought my first PG last year and I was actually torn between the PG Unleashed and the Perfect Strike. Glad I went with the Perfect Strike. I still plan to get the Unleashed and the PG Strike Freedom.
We need more PG bad guys like Sazabi, Gelgoog, The-O and Qubeley. How about Nu Gundam too.
The second they make the Sazabi/Nu into Perfect Grades, we all know it'll progress to "when Nightingale/Hi-nu" real damn quicklike.
@@SliceyMcBreadmaker in 1/60 scale that would be redonkulous
Other then the Zaku have there been any other PG non-Gundams?
@@nilus2k The Eva. That's it.
Pg rozen zulu pls
I'd like to see a video where you choose your favorite of all the grades of each Gundam. Or at least the main MS for a few series
I wish they would make a perfect grade barbatos
A few year's ago I picked up the PG unicorn at a thrift store inside their collectors case for 75 bucks.
Took me a month to build in my spare time.
Lucky bastard
Fyi: modern cheap electric bug swatter does have usb port.
Yes, desperately need power usb port on LED system
Since you talked about getting another PG, I’d like to see a review of the Strike Freedom, personally…
It's literally the largest PG kit due to that wingspan. Downside is the dragoons don't stay in all that well.
That’s it. I’m going to say it.
I want to see what a barbatos (or any version of Barbie) Ver. Ka
Top 3 are spot on. All those sets deserve the 1st place in all honesty.
To this collection I added the Astray and avoided the 00 thanks also to your previous reviews. Now lets wait the 2022 PG.
Top 3 for me regarding the ones I own:
1 - Phenex (Narrative)
2 - Strike Freedom
3 - RX-78-2 Unleashed
I would KILL for the Phenex, but I missed the re-release and the current price is just too much for me, it hurts to spend 400, let alone 700-800
The only perfect grade I have is the RX-178 Mk II (Titans version) I built it like 15 years ago, and its still in great shape. It was a super fun, and long(but not in a bad way) build and I loved every second of it.
Mecha you should get more of the older PGs for review
Hi Mecha,
My personal top 2 would be the Astray Red on 2 and the Strike Rouge on 1.
Partially for the same reasons as your own ranking. The Astray doesnt have a stand, even though the hip section is the same, and would fit on the already existing stand that comes with the Strike Rouge or separate Skygrasper.
The Strike Rouge was my 1st, and i absolutely love the Perfect grade Strike inner frame. That kit is insanely awesome. Its pretty much just a recolored Strike with an Aile strike pack and an action base. I love it for all the same reasons you love your Strikes. Finding out the Astray was based on it, i had high hopes, but it honestly was quite disappointing instead. A lot of motion features in that frame are unused for the Astray, and simply covered up with plates. Sometimes not even fully covered. When the Astray bends a knee, you can see unused C clips inside that would cause more armor separation on the knee in the Strike. All through the build, it kinda feels like an afterthought, and the new parts for the Astray, are weirdly unsatisfying. The big shoulderplates show undetailed construction pins when the arm even slightly raises. Almost high grade level. On a Perfect grade, that is inexcusable to me. In any normalish poses, the model still looks great though, and it was super cheap for a Perfect grade. If i ever find the Skygrasper set separately, i'll be getting that for the Astray, mostly just for the stand. The Aile strike pack almost fits in its back. It even has the same torso inner frame in cluding the unused polycap to attach the wings. Just needs to get rid of its own tiny pack and a little filing of the back groove they seemingly intentionally made half a milimeter not wide enough to fit the Aile strike pack right out of the box... All in all, that Astray has some weird decisions in the kit.
I'm still waiting for a Strike Freedom to arrive at some point, then i can make a top 3😅
Anyway, i love all your reviews. Got into gunpla fairly recently and you certainly helped me on my path!
Thats enough from me. Thanks again for the detailed breakdowns in all the reviews!
make sure you get the metal replacement parts for the pg strike freedom. I do recommend the strike rouge over the other ones since you can always upgrade later to the pg perfect strike and avoid duplicates.
Strike freedom overall probably has the best shelf presence. Avoid pre strike pgs unless you want powered bolts and springs getting lost
Finally got my pgu rx-78-2 and man was that a fun build. A long one (probably around 20 hours across 3 days) but a very fun build. Not sure what my next PG will be, but it's gonna have a lot to live up to
I only have four perfect grades so far and this is just my personal least favorite to favorite.
4. Pg wing Zero custom. It looks good if you like more of a classy look, but I hate the build. If you don’t like screws then you’re going to hate it. The amount of screws it has will drive you mad. Plus you’re going to have to do the LED assembly. And obviously the worst part is that it don’t come with a stand. And the last thing is that the plastic feels a bit brittle.
3. The original pg RX-78-2. Again it had a very classic look to it and not a lot of detail on the armor. But there are two things about it that I just love about it. It it really does feel like a 1/60 robot and to be in a frame is drop dead gorgeous. No I don’t feel like something you would want to play around a lot it’s mostly just something to look at.
2. The pg 00 raiser. For me I actually do like it a little bit more than you do in my opinion. Not only the clutch joints suck but they are useless. Especially the one for the wrist. You’re never going to use that joint. Now I don’t dislike it as much as you did but still. My biggest problem with it is that I don’t quite feel like a perfect grade. I just feel like a 1/60 MG. It doesn’t have the most detailed inner frame I’ve seen and the legs to fall off quite a bit when you move them. However my favorite part about it is the possibility. It’s actually the only perfect grade where I like to pose it a lot. It’s just too bad they didn’t come with a stand. I’m not joking he original one (not the Trans Am version) not comes with a stand.
1. Pg banshee norn. It’s solid, (except for the ankle) It looks great in both modes, and the accessories are really good. But there are three things that I don’t like. One are the hands. The ball joint should’ve been a rotation. Because the weapons troops down easily. The full armor add-on came with trigger fingers which was awesome but I don’t have it so you know. And I also hate the connection for the big shield. The connection for is just too small and it does feel like it could snap at any moment.
No just a two things I want to warn you.
1. old perfect grades until the strike gundam came with a bunch of screws and LED Assembly and if you’re not a fan of those then you’re going to hate it.
2. The old perfect grades may look out dated compared to modern kits and they’re not that poseable.
The best attraction the older ones is that if you are an expert at painting the smallest little details to make it look real then you’re gonna be in heaven. They also feel like collector items. Not something to mess around with a lot. But if you’d like to pose your kits a lot then Buy the newer ones. The next perfect grade that I want to get is either the Gundam Mk-II the strike freedom or the pg Gundam Exia. If I had to recommend A perfect grade for you to build it would possibly be the Gundam RX-78 GP01/FB. It pretty much has everything that it needs. Bottom line is that I don’t think none of the perfect grades are bad it just comes down to how much you want. Except for the PG Evangelion. Avoid that one.
À
MK II was phenomenal, so much fun and well engineered. The cockpit/head LEDs are relatively easy and a great inclusion
I agree.. had a great time building mine. Kitbashed and fully painted it. It's big too, stands taller than my other PGs. I like that it feels mechanical and functional, unlike the 00 or Unicorn which are more like fantasy mecha. The MkII is more like a GM than a hero MS.
00 makes sense when you think of it as a futuristic mecha. But the Unicorn is just bullshit in its own timeline.
Since I built the MKII recently...mine cannot stand up without leaning on some metal
I only have 1. The Astray. Btw Mecha, you NEED one. A solid kit without a doubt.
My girl friend got me the OG exia for my bday this past December! My favorite kit ever! My first PG also :) it stands out against the 20+ I have
The PG Gundam Mk II is fantastic to build holds up really well ! I have the titans Version but I think my favorite is the unleashed still I do want to build a ph Zaku 2 but don't want to get the old one. hopefully we get a Zaku 2 2.0 pg at some point
The old PG Zaku does suffer from some unfortunate seam lines, but the inner frame more than makes up for it. It has pistons on pretty much every joint.
I just got my PG Red Frame in the mail today and I cannot wait!
I had my PG strike almost 20yrs back, still one of the best build until PX78-2 unleashed, imagine both 20yrs apart! both look awesome!
I'm glad I'm not the only person so critical about Stands coming with PGs...
I could not get the Exia but I have all of your top 3 unbuilt, this makes me feel complete to have them
I’ve built two PGs the Titans gundam and Char’s red Zaku both were/are awesome builds! Some complaints with the LEDs, but that’s nit picking. Thanks for this video, I’m planning on buying a PG for my bday in a few weeks
mine has still gotta be the rx-78-2 unleashed its not just the articulation not just the incredible details its the fact that its build is layer by layer
where u can almost feel as if ur constructing a gundam itself as it comes together in skeleton frame then armor
All you need is the PG GP-01 to bump every single one of the other PG down a point!
11:01 That shot looks amazing damn.
My favorite MG and PG kits tend to be ones that feel like they're actually robots, with slidind bits, pistons, hydraulic cables, etc.
Stuff like the OG RX-78-2, GP01(and FB variant), or MKII PG kits, with those wonderful inner frames.
I stopped building plamo years ago specifically because it looked like Bandai was moving away from that aesthetic towards something more pared-down, basic, and articulation focused. About the only kit I been tempted on in the last decade has been the MG Barbatos, because of what looks like a nice return to form.
I have the seven sword and filed down the teeth on the condensers so you don't need to push them in but still hold the pose I put it in.
It would be interesting to see the best and worst gunpla for each series or season of a series in the form of HG.
The PG OO Raiser only came with a stand in the first run unfortunately. I built one last year and had to buy a dodgy 3rd party stand for it.
Great recommendations, thank you for your effort!
Number 3 *unicorn ost starts to play *
Mechagaikotsu in the past: M A S T E R G R A D E
I've built The Strike Freedom Gundam and it has the biggest shelf presence. I did use 8 action base 4s and 4 Hangar Scene Bases from 30mm to made the Dragoons appear deployed with the wings open. But it comes with a stand for the Gundam
Hey mecha Gaikotsu, For the lights turning off there is a way to make it so it does not turn off on a timer . if you hold the light switching button as you turn it on it puts it in a mode where there is no timer. it works on the pg unicorn but im not sure about the pg exia
This is really important,, i mean most of us could only afford one pg
I’ve been trying to get a 78 unleashed. Waiting patiently.
Same
You definitely need to check the PG Red Frame Astray, very fun kit to put together. Only complaint (other than no stand) is only having one katana.. although the one it does have measures a cool 13" end to end.
I regret not picking one up I saw on sale in Japan. It had the second Katana in a smaller box taped to the main one. The second one seemed to be an exclusive.
Can a beginner build it ? With patience
@@MizukiDraws123 very easily actually. One limb at a time.
got the rx78 unleashed at my local comic shop, i do not regret buying it. so far this has been my favorite build by far. now for the unicorn >:D
Hi gaikotsu just wanted to say your doing good and keep up the work!
I've finished the PG Astray Red Frame & it's definitely based in the Strike.. have a bunch on Strike parts leftover if you need spares!
just a personal question. dont you find PG Astray a somehow short or dwarf in appearance? i also have it but for me it really looks like a buffed dwarf gundam compare to the RG and MG version.
A pg a enjoyed building was the pg skygrasper with the aile striker pack and it was only £30.
Red Frame and Strike Freedom, Sf is massive and stands out
You can buy battery to power cord adapters. I use that for my PG unicorn so I never have to worry about changing a battery.
6:40 Get a Chinese aftermarket bootleg LED kit for the PG Exia. They cost half of what the original LED kit costs. They take researchable Li-Io cells. They have a USB port that will charge the cells or simply power the model. The LEDs stay on continuously. It even comes with a remote control with tons of additional modes. Essential upgrade to any PG Exia IMHO.
Yep, the M. J. H. LED kit is what you want to search for
For some very strange reason I had a dream last night where i was at a store that dosent exist irl and saw some fishing lure batteries and mentioned to my dad that they worked with the pgu rx-78-2 beam saber
I have only one PG, the Clear Armor version of the Strike with the Skygrasper set.
Saw a few at my local hobby shop. Really bad time for the middle class to disappear, lol.
I don't have any PG kits but when a PG Barbatos Lupus or Rex comes out, for sure getting it lol
Honestly with all the high praise i see Strike Gundam get in terms of model kits, i’m tempted to collect them all
I've only played unleashed PG , but it's nice to be able to refer to it. I really want to try unicorn.
I may not ever own a perfect grade but that Perfect Strike is really tempting. I have a custom color idea in mind for the MG Strike and I bet it would look nice even bigger.
thanks for reminding me I have to make a tutorial of how to mod led kits to plug into the wall
I have only bought 4 PGs technically 2 since i have RX-0 unicorn, banshee and phenix nt. And used a thrid party led base for them that had a remote to control lights and micro usb charging
I literally just finished building my Perfect grade red astray. Its the first PG Gundam I’ve built and I really had fun with it.
Then you've technically built the PG Strike to a degree. The base frame is lifted entirely from the PG Strike, just changes minor things.
In terms of money, Yes I can get a pg but the reason I don't like pg is the size hahaha I prefer mg, not too big, not too small, it looks cool of course
I find the pg strike as the best perfect grade. A fun build, great balance, great poseability and great for anyone's wallet. And even if your aiming for the perfect strike, considering the amount of items, options, detail improvement and the stand, it's pretty much at a considerable price. I'm even surprised that it is only a bit more expensive than the unicorn, and that's without counting the led and the frustration of installing the led. The red frame on the otherhand is surprisingly underwhelming. The poseability from the waist down is a bit hindered by some of the armor. Which is ironic.
I'd say the strike Rouge is a step above, the subtle rose and pink color and the insane decals are amazing.
Hmm you are missing Strike Freedom, Wing Zero Custom and Double Katana Astray Red frame, these are pretty cool too, but my favorite is definitely the unleashed RX-78. Unless they do a unleash Infinite Justice that would be my dream.
My first PG kit was the Exia with the led kit, I loved it.
I've got a top #1, cause I've only built one.
The PG RX-78-2 Unleashed, which I built this year.
I only have 2 PG kits. One is the (actual) plain jane Red Frame Astray.
The Astray is a cool kit, but one that made me realize how much EFFORT goes into painting a PG. It has SO MANY PARTS. It was kind of a nightmare. I ended up just painting the stuff that made the most sense to me after a while and it shows. It's great though. I like how chonky it is. Very much close to lineart in proportions vs say, the Hi-Res. Ain't anything spectacular though, so don't expect to be absolutely blown out of the water, but for it's price, what used to be one of the cheapest PGs next to the granddaddy, I can't complain too much.
The other is the Daban Phenex. I can't say I recommend it too much, despite it still looking rather cool. I don't know how much the Unicorn you showed off compares, but like, the joints are droopy, the paint app was bad in some areas, and it didn't come with the tails for the shields (though I think that's applicable to the Bandai Phenex too). It also cost a third of the Bandai variant. Bought it to see if I could paint it up and make it look comparable, but have been lazy.
Also to note: The Unicorn lighting kit from Daban has can be USB powered. It has three modes, but still turns off after a while, even on USB mode.