In this review, I bring out the big guns in the most literal since of the phrase with the Super Robot X (SRX) Variable Giftset by Volks! This set was a “grail” for me, so I was very happy when it didn’t disappoint.
Video Segments:
Unboxing: beginning
Overview: 3:06
R-1/R-wing: 7:10
R-2/R-2 Powered: 15:43
R-2/R-3 Powered: 22:12
Video Segments:
Transformation: Beginning
Overview: 5:06
Final Thoughts: 15:17
The lead mecha of the SRX group, R-1, aims to please with a nice paint job, and the ability to turn into R-Wing! The poseability is tops, and I love that he comes with a show-accurate set of weapons, too.
Although the 3 robots in this set have different aesthetics, there are general properties that they share, as toys. So, instead of repeating the same points for each mold, I’d like to take a moment to list them here:
– The plastic quality on these is more akin to the more rubbery type used in MSIA and previous Gundam toys, rather than the harder plastic seen in today’s mecha like Bandai’s popular Robot Spirits Damashii line.
– These toys are pretty poseable, and I’d say they hold up to today’s figures in that area. however, one area that differs is how the hands switch out: In stead of ball joints, they simply peg in, which leads to know writs movement outside of rotating the hand. Also, the weapons for these robots have the hands built on. It’s different, but I absolutely love it because you have no worry about fingers bending out of place when fitting weapons into the hands. Also, for instances like R-1 who’s weapons are holstered, all of those weapons are removable from their holsters to give the impression that they were removed when the appropriate “weapon hand” is used.
– They are hand painted, so even though the paint applications are well-done and accurate, they don’t have the perfection of factory paint jobs.
– The “transformations” of R-1 and R-3 rely heavily on “parts-forming”, meaning that rather than taking the toys and twisting through a transformation sequence to get from one mode to another, you are mostly disassembling the figures and reassembling with additional parts included for the sole-purpose of those alternate modes. It’s a two-sided coin, because the transformation process isn’t as gratifying, but this method also allows for absolute perfection in each mode since there are no engineering quirks to hinder the aesthetic.
Probably my favorite design of the three, and the way that they retained the “short and stocky” stature in this toy is very impressive. He comes with the pieces to becomes R-2 powered as well, even though the armor makes him lose quite a bit of poseability in his arms.
R-2 is my favorite, but R-3 is a close second. Being manned by the one female pilot of the group, this mecha is designed with a “feminine-but-badassed” vibe that looks like a beautiful love child of Gundam builds and Arcee from the “Transformers” series.
The most awesome part of this is the extremely accurate R-3 “Powered” mode which is formed by placing the robot inside of a “flying fortress” made from a transformation of the Gestalt’s legs.
I highly encourage anyone reading to check out the second Video in the appropriate secition to check out the transformation of these three robots into the SRX gestalt. The parts-forming method to combine these is something that I was taken back by, since it is COMPLETELY parts-forming, but when you see the 12.5″ beast you’ve created, you feel so rewarded that the method to get there doesn’t even matter.
Head-to-toe, this thing is so aesthetically accurate that you can’t help but to be impressed. He is also full poseable, which makes you appreciate the parts-forming combination method a lot moreso when you compare it to other gestalts that lose a lot of articulation and balance from having to balance the aesthetic of the individuals and gestalt.
He comes with the Zol Orichalcon Sword, which measures 13.75″ in itself.
This one isn’t cheap. With it literally never showing up on Ebay, this is one that you have to get through Japanese Auction sites. Unfortunately, if you’re not in Japan, you’ll have to use a middleman service to help you obtain this item. This item comes to about $540 and another $100 USD to ship EMS. For me, it’s well worth the price, in the sense that I’m a Super Robot Wars fan, and SRX in-particular. The SRX team aren’t the “main characters” of the anime/games, so to see such an incredibly well-done figure set of them that remains true-to-scale with other Super robot Wars toys like the Super Robot Chogokin Alteisen and Weisritter (Also reviewed here on this site), is a once-in-a-lifetime thing: Especially considering the last anime series was about five years ago.
Now, would I recommend getting this to someone who doesn’t particularly have a connection to the Super Robot Wars series or the SRX team from it? HELL no! This set is well engineered, but $650 is a large pill for a “Neat toy” with some pretty outdated features to it, such as the plastic quality and paint applications. So, it gets a strong rating from me, because it’s a great set of toys, but it’s just not something I’d recommend to everyone.
Overall Score: 9.0/10
Enjoy a few more pictures of this figure below! Remember to click the pictures to view larger resolutions:
