MGUniversal Century

RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.1.5 Plated Version

The half-new, half-classic Ver.1.5 dressed up in a store-exclusive metallic finish that turns a solid MG into a genuine shelf trophy.

MechaGrade Score

3.7/5

RX-78-2 Gundam · 1/100 · 2003

GradeMG

Scale1/100

Released2003

Runnersn/a

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The verdict

I think the Ver.1.5 is the most underrated RX-78-2 in the MG lineup, and the Plated Version makes the case even stronger.

It kept the original 1995 MG's arms but rebuilt the legs from scratch with a firmer, PG-influenced inner frame, and that alone fixes the wobbly-knee problem that plagued the first-generation kit. The plating adds a metallic sheen that photographs beautifully under any light, though it comes from a limited G-BASE Matsudo release so tracking one down now is its own project.

Best for: Gunpla collectors chasing a distinctive plated RX-78-2 who are fine hunting a discontinued G-BASE exclusive

The full review

What it is

This is the halfway-house RX-78-2, half 1995-vintage parts, half brand new engineering, built around new leg internals that borrow the firmness philosophy from the Perfect Grade. I went in expecting a stopgap kit and came out impressed by how solid the lower body feels compared to the original MG Gundam. The new head sculpt reads sharper too, and the plated finish on this particular release gives the whole thing a metallic depth that a standard molded-color build just cannot match sitting on a shelf under a lamp.

The catch

The arms are carried over almost unchanged from 1995, and it shows: elbow movement is there, but shoulder and wrist range never caught up to what the legs can do, so poses stay noticeably more grounded than upper-body dynamic. The beam javelin needs paint to look right out of the box, and I have seen builders mention the hand grip on the beam rifle feeling loose. This is also a G-BASE Matsudo store exclusive from the plated run, so it is not something you can just add to a normal cart. Expect aftermarket prices and inconsistent stock.

Who it's for

Buy this if you already like the Ver.1.5 sculpt and want the version with real display presence, or if you collect variant/plated Gundam releases and this one is on your list. Skip it if you want top-tier articulation for dynamic action poses, the arms will hold you back there, or if you are not willing to hunt secondary market listings for a discontinued store exclusive. For a first RX-78-2 build with modern engineering throughout, a newer MG version is the easier recommendation.

The build story

What the build is actually like, and the engineering worth knowing about.

The build itself sits in a comfortable middle ground, simple enough that it never feels intimidating, but with enough new parts in the legs and head to keep it interesting if you have already built an MG or two. Gate placement on the plated runners needs a bit more care than usual since any nub mark shows against the metallic coat, so I would go slow with side cutters and skip the sanding pass on visible plated faces.

The standout piece of engineering is that new leg assembly, essentially a pre-tightened mechanism that solves the loose-knee complaint that follows a lot of older MG kits around. Weapon loadout covers the shield, hyper bazooka, beam rifle, twin beam sabers, plus the newer Gundam hammer with a linked chain and the beam javelin, a strong accessory count for a kit built on a 2000s-era chassis.

Lore & trivia

01The Ver.1.5 name comes from the kit being roughly half parts carried over from the original 1995 MG Gundam and half newly engineered, mainly in the legs, head, and manipulators.
02Its new leg inner frame was designed with proportions and firmness closer to the Perfect Grade RX-78-2 released around the same era.
03The Plated Version was sold exclusively through the Bandai Museum's G-BASE store in Matsudo, Chiba, making it a store-exclusive variant rather than a general retail release.
04The RX-78-2 Gundam itself first appeared in the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam series and remains Bandai's most recurring MG subject, with multiple numbered versions built around the same suit.