Series: Gundam Fix Figuration (GFF)
Title: RX-78NT-1 Gundam "Alex"/RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4 "G04"
Release Date: 01/2004
Suggested Price: ¥ 4000
No. of Parts: 50+
Plastic colors: NT-1: blue, yellow, gray, white, red, dark orange; G04: white, blue, yellow, gray
Gimmicks: interchangeable conversion parts to each MS, display base, good weapons loadout

Introduction

Contributor: Winn Sevilla
Date: September 18, 2004

Being a Katoki Hajime fan, I always made it a point to purchase items related to his designs. When news of an RX-78 NT-1 was scheduled to be released, I swept away by Katoki's redesign. Add along the conversion feature (which Bandai is making a trend on GFFs these days) into the RX-78-4 Gundam "G04" (which I liked better than the tacky-colored RX-78-5 Gundam "G05" in the Side Story feature of the PS2 game Gundam: Encounters in Space), I made it a point to purchase it.

As White Base's newtype pilot Amuro Ray relentlessly overworked the RX-78-2 Gundam in various missions for its campaign against the Zeon occupation, the Earth Federations decided to provide him with a new Gundam specifically designed for his growing newtype abilities. The NT-1 "Alex" incorporates improved performance and new features that was supposedly hoped to appease the demands of a newtype pilot: a 360-degree panoramic cockpit display for 360-degree unobstructed view, linear seat controls for quick input control response, magnet coating joints for faster reaction time and a more powerful generator. In addition to the standard beam rifle, beam saber & 30mm vulcan gun combo the Alex has hidden 90mm Gatling gun on each forearm as a surprise treat. Realizing the threat imposed by its existence, Zeon forces dispatched its elite "Cyclops Team" to search and destroy it. Eventually the NT-1 escaped the Cyclops Team in the Federation's base in Arctic but was severely damaged in Side 6. With the war at its end, the sense of continuing the project was pointless and therefore scrapped.

The RX-78-4 Gundam "G04" was the fourth Gundam developed alongside the RX-78-4 Gundam "G04" assigned to the Pegasus-class ship Thoroughbred - assigned to guard against the threat movement imposed by Granada. Piloted by the veteran Luce Kassel, the G04 features improvements for space combat: added verniers and extra propellant tanks for increased mobility and longer battle time. Aside from the regular beam rifle/beam saber/vulcan gun weaponry, it also had beam guns on its forearms. The G04 is also equipped with an untested Mega Beam Launcher capable of taking out capital ships in far ranges. Tragically the unit was heavily damaged in its first attempt to use the weapon (due to generator overload by the launchers' heavy power requirements or power overload), but successfully managed to contribute greatly to stop a pursuit fleet threatening to stop a fragile peace process between the Earth Federation and the Zeon Republic.

Box art- A slight modification on the GFF box is that the head of the RX-78-2 is no longer printed on the upper board of the box. Despite that its the usual design - the NT-1 figure in front with the numerous conversion armor parts surrounding it. At the back of the box is the usual lineart picture and pictures of the figure in G04 & Mudrock form.

Head

RX-78-NT-1:
Katoki-sized in design and nicely detailed, the head is something to be impressed with. Articulation is great too.

RX-78-4:
The design is almost a carbon copy from the MG design but excels in details and articulation.

Torso

RX-78NT-1:
I love it because of the narrow "streamlined" design (compared to the HGUC/MG) and flourished details. The abdominal section is articulated to a bend to a certain degree forward - a feature in which I remember is featured in certain hobby magazines. The results are impressive since poseability is more "flexible" thanks to that feature. Here's something new: the front and side skirt armors are ball jointed! That would mean improved articulation for the legs!!!

Solid and lavishly detailed in nature, the backpack is something to be desired about as the verniers are ball jointed! (Bandai is breaking GFF tradition of fixed verniers?!) The backpack fits securely as well.

RX-78-4
The torso's design and details is impressive especially the "streamlined" cockpit hatch and chest vents. The front and side skirt armors are once again, can be articulated for increased leg articulation. The rear "binders" which also act as extra propellant holders are detailed nicely. The backpack is another impressive piece: as usual the details and markings are impressive but here's the kicker: the verniers are ball jointed and can be moved slightly. (something VERY new for the GFF line!) The backpack is connected by two pegs to the back snugly.

Arms

RX-78NT-1:
The shoulder armor is detailed and articulation is perfect as the whole arm array can be posed sideways. The connecting joint from torso to upper arms can be shifted forward for good posed. I've also observed that the upper arm uses the basic blocky design unlike MG versions' rubber cover version. Hands come in 3 pairs: one close fist, one triggered for weapons and one for holding the beam sabers.

Everything would've been so perfect if not only for one fatal flaw in the elbow joints: the joints themselves are not covered in design (the Gatling gun in the forearms are removed), and with the NT-1's elbow joints being complicated by design nature AND with the fact that GFF joints have a high degree of stiffness, the elbow joints can be easily dislocated or popped off when you pose it with direct force especially when the 90mm Gatling gun mechanism is attached. Bandai should've at least done something about that area since its a critical point of articulation.

RX-78-4:
Emulating the MG's feature, the upper shoulder armor (Bst) can be removed and can be also locked! The forearm covers are not to be despised at, as they look great in detail.

Legs

RX-78-NT-1:
The upper thighs are solid in design. The lower legs however, due to the armor conversion feature is composed of 6 armor parts for each side - just like an MG kit would have. The armor themselves fit the slots securely but some have tendencies to loosen after much playing / posing. The foot is perfect in design but it follows the sleek solid design of the RX-78-4 G04, which I like better.

RX-78-4:
Once more, the thighs are well solid and as for the lower legs, there are at 5 armor parts for each leg. Like I said, they fit securely but have tendencies to loosen when played/posed a lot. The foot area doesn't have to be converted anyhow, as it was a design to be used generally for both conversions.

SPECIAL NOTE:
The flaws on this GFF would've been tolerable for me (to me, the most unforgiving was the despicable Z Plus GFF), if not for another big issue - the socket for the pelvic ball joint for the left leg was molded too wide, making the connection very loose (it's like this: the leg easily falls down even with the slightest touch). For me, it's not a design flaw but a production flaw which really annoys me because that production flaw is embedded on an important area. I just wish that Bandai should've done at least some quality control check on some of their GFFs so that this incident won't happen next time. (And of all the ironies, it had to be ME!!!)

So what do I do now with a osteoporosisized left leg?! I'll have to send it over to some friends to do some modifications for it and hopefully, just hopefully get it fixed.

Weapons and Accessories

RX-78NT-1:
Beam rifle- Thick and solid in design that everyone's gotta love it! Handling is well secured so it wont cause any problems whatsoever.

90mm Gatling gun- By inserting the intricately detailed Gatling gun mechanism between the arm and cover just like the MSiA version, the NT-1's trademark surprise weapon is something owners of this GFF would be clapping about.

Beam saber- Two versions: unused for backpack storage and bladed. Overall bladed sabers have a clear pink color that is quite good.

Shield- Almost identical the MG version, the detailed shield is thick and can be connected to a slot on the arms' Gatling gun covers. (Although I doubt it would stay secured that much.)

Note: This NT-1 does not feature the CHOBHAM armor.

RX-78-4:
Beam rifle- Quite realistic in terms of details except for one flaw: the folding stock handle isn't articulated but has to be removed and reattached. There's also some a minor awkward handling issues here.

Mega Beam Launcher- Although I find the design weird, the details and colorings are impressive.

Beam saber- Bright orange in color, the beam sabers come in two versions: unused for backpack storage and bladed.

Shield- Despite the details and labels embedded on the shield, it doesn't have the sliding feature the MG has. Instead, you have to separate the upper from the lower and reattach them to the desired mode you wish to pose it with: extended and unextended.

Conclusion

OBSERVATION:
It was such wise words that Ritchie Ramos said upon to me when I first asked him the annoying question: "Why does Bandai have to do conversions when they can sell it in solid single versions and get more money?!" He replied in a financially lewd kind of way: "Because people would buy two to get one in each mode, plus the production cost won't double because they used only one frame. It made sense to me that Bandai wanted to squeeze every ounce of cheapness in costing for their advantage. Although these there was already an earlier GFF (#0012 RX-178 Titans Mk. II - Refined Barzam) that had this feature, Bandai did it again. Sure, they share the same basic frame and so far, they've done well but there's also some sacrifice in quality, ease of handling and the pure solidity of the figure.

(Note: Conversion GFFs are not to be confused with armor conversion GFFs. i.e.: Heavy Gundam)

Generally the figure itself is a champion in details and styling (especially the NT-1!) but it is something not to be played around much because of the flaws in the elbow joints, as it would result to loosen and dislocate. Although the NT-1 doesn't have that big bulky Chobham armor to hide on, the lavish details impossibly embedded on a 1/144 figure is something that makes it up for.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

<<back to Gundam