Series: Mobile Suit in Action!! (MSiA)
Title: MSiA XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock (2nd ver)
Release Date: 2004 (US)
Suggested Price: $7.99
No. of Parts: 1 Gundam Sandrock figure + 8 parts
Plastic colors: white, black, gray, light gray, silver, red, yellow, green
Gimmicks: transformation from regular Sandrock to Sandrock Kai (space mode), cross crusher special weapon

Introduction

Contributor: Derrick "tomduo" Lang
Date: August 24, 2005

While Quatre may not be my most favorite Gundam character ever, his suit is a classic and departure from most traditional Gundam designs. The desert warrior Gundam is a wonderful icon, and has received a 2.0 treatment from Bandai. Unfortunately, I never owned a 1.0 Sandrock MSiA, but now I own a 2.0, so you won't hear me crying.

Head

ACK! My MSiA has V-Fin warpage. If your MSiA has this problem, remember a nice steam bath can help reset any packaging damage your MSiA might suffer. Otherwise, the head is wonderfully painted, and features a nice 170 degrees of horizontal movement, and 20-30 degrees of vertical movement. Proportions seem to be dead on, and give the suit part of its unique look.

Torso

The Sandrock 2.0 is good for a first generation MSiA, but for a 2.0 release it falls a bit flat. No waist articulation and chunky waist armor impedes movement. The back rocket pack also has the tendency to fall off. Otherwise mine is well-painted and looks very accurate to the lineart.

Arms

The Sandrock's shoulder joints are not swingable 2.0 joints. The elbows are, and are wonderful. The shoulder pauldrons are stuck in the Sandrock Kai style, with extra vernier boosters. Otherwise they are not restricting to the arm movement. The hands are in the horrible 1.0 peg-in-hole design, which can lead to strippage, even breakage by the pegs. Be careful.

Legs

While the legs are wonderful on the Sandrock, the feet are lacking. The feet on the Sandrock are horribly limited by the ankle coverings. The 2.0 joints are perfect for the knees, and make them somewhat passable.

Weapons and Accessories

Hand sets- This release comes with two and a half sets of hands. One set of hands are fists, which is the standard second set on most MSiAs recently. The second set are open 'sword' hands, which are perfect for the heat shotels of the Sandrock. The fifth hand is a right hand for firing the beam machine gun, and all five feature the peg-in-hole design.

Heat shotels- These fearsome curved swords are the trademark of the Sandrock, and fit nicely in the sword handset. They are also capable of being stored in the back rocket pack, which is used to make the signature cross crusher with the shield.

Beam machine gun- Just a hunk of plastic. A nicely molded gun, but unable to be clipped onto the Sandrock.

Shield- With a 2.0 release, the shield should be well attached to the forearm of the Sandrock, right? Wrong. A horrible block style peg flimsily attaches onto the forearm of the Sandrock, and to the rocket pack to make the cross crusher. Otherwise this is well painted and nicely proportioned.

Rocket backpack- To make the cross crusher, the backpack is detachable from the main body. The way that the backpack is attached is similar to the shield, making a flimsy connection. The rocket nozzles are maneuverable.

Rocket booster packs- To make the Sandrock Kai, the MSiA comes with extra pieces to attach to the rocket backpack. These must be removed to make the cross crusher weapon.

Conclusion

Bandai lacked in this release, giving us 2.0 features on some areas, but the peg in hole hand design and horrible attachment pegs make a good 2.0 flawed. Other than the minor warping of my V-fins, the release is great. I enjoy this one, and recommend it! Now if only I can find the Maganacs...

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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