Series: Mobile Suit in Action!! (MSiA)
Title: GF13-017NJ Shining Gundam (Hyper Mode)
Release Date: ?
Suggested Price: Promotional item
No. of Parts: 1 Shining Gundam figure + 10 parts
Plastic colors: orange gold, bright gold, dark gold, green, clear dark green, clear pink
Gimmicks: beam saber (2), hand (4), clear ‘Shining Finger’ hand (left and right), normal mode head, Super mode head, transforming armor, (shoulder, gauntlet and calves)

Introduction

Contributor: Jason Kwong
Date: August 23, 2005

This MSiA is no different from the original release of the normal mode Shining Gundam, except for the fact that the entire toy is painted gold. I got this guy for free after buying the Strike Weapon Systems while I was in Hong Kong on vacation. The packaging is the same American release version of the normal mode, but on the package there is a big sticker that says “NOT FOR RESALE” that’s pasted inside the packaging.

Head

Not much change here except that fact that the ‘normal mode’ head won't fit into the ball joint, so all you're stuck with is a ‘Hyper Mode’ head. The head itself is quite well-designed containing, three colors: bright gold, dark gold and orange gold. The head turns quite nicely in its plastic ball joint and can turn 360 degrees.

Torso

No different from the ‘normal mode’ release except all gold parts.

Arms

Same as the ‘normal mode’ release except for the gold. My left arm had some trouble staying on; if I moved it up to much the thing would just pop off but the right arm is perfectly fine in terms of not popping off. The gauntlet/beam laser had trouble sometimes staying up, and it would occasionally fall back into its original position. The shoulder parts are also a nuisance, they can be raised to turn into Hyper Mode but yet again they keep falling back down to their original position.

Legs

Same as ‘normal mode’ except mine had this problem in the calf area with the cover that could be raised and lowered vice versa. Whenever I would raise the covering it would immediately fall back down or just come off completely. The legs can be posed in a variety of positions, they also have a decent gold paint job but after a while the paint job looks kind of bland.

Weapons and Accessories

Beam saber- The dual beam sabers that Shining Gundam wields, they're well designed, being able to be remove the beams from the handles. The handles can be placed into the hip holster, though they do not fit very nicely (actually I don’t even think they were designed to fit).

Core Lander- Fits somewhat snugly into Shining Gundam’s back, can be removed to be played with. The initial design seems somewhat bulky, but you will get use to the design after a while.

Hands-The Shining Gundam comes with two sets of hands open and fists, open for holding the beam sabers and fist for looking cool when posed.

Shining Finger- This time around Shining Gundam contains two Shining Finger hands: one left and one right, instead of the traditional single Shining Finger design. Now you can pose him to use ‘Shining Finger Sword’.

Conclusion

A decent release by Bandai could have been improved a fair bit. A nice touch to the MSiA line of toys, but all in all if you’re out there looking for just a Shining Gundam, the original would be far better than the ‘Hyper Mode’ one. But if you’re out there looking for a ‘Hyper Mode’ Shining Gundam go no further cause this guy is for you, but I have to say that finding this guy nowadays Is somewhat difficult since it was a promotional item. You may have some luck on Ebay if you’re desperate.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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