REVIEW OPTION PARTS SET GUNPLA 14: Gunbarrel Striker, Bandai

This is review of Bandai OPTION PARTS SET GUNPLA 14: Gunbarrel Striker from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.

Bandai OPTION PARTS SET GUNPLA 14: Gunbarrel Striker Review

The Option Parts Set Gunpla series offers a variety of units useful for customization, all packaged and re-released in kit form. This time, the Gunbarrel Striker has been added to the lineup. It is priced at ¥1,320.

The kit includes the following:

Four barrels for the railguns in their deployed state.
Two types of joints for rear connection.
A grip for the Gatling gun.
Two 3mm joint pins.

Some joint parts from the Gundam Breaker Ver. are included as surplus. However, as not all parts are provided, it’s impossible to build the Gundam Breaker Ver. with this kit.

About the Gunbarrel Striker Design

The Gunbarrel Striker, inspired by "Gundam SEED MSV," resembles a Striker Pack version of the Mebius Zero. The underside of the nose features a Gatling gun. The main body is equipped with four wire-guided Gunbarrels.

While this kit is sold separately, it can be combined with the Entry Grade (EG) Strike Gundam or HGCE Strike Gundam to recreate the Gunbarrel Strike Gundam.

Kit Overview

This kit is not entirely new but reuses parts from the EG Gunbarrel Strike Gundam (Gundam Breaker Ver.) included with "Gundam Breaker 4 Collector’s Edition."

The nose section is recreated with new parts, distinguishing it from the HG 105 Dagger + Gunbarrel kit.

Color and Finish

The main colors are reproduced with molded plastic, and no stickers are included. Clear parts are used for the sensors on the nose, enhancing the premium feel.

Details and Features

Precision and Details

The nose section, made with clear parts, delivers a more detailed finish. The Gatling gun’s seam lines are designed as panel-line details.

Movable Features

The nose can fold without requiring part replacement. The barrels of the Gunbarrels feature color separation around the nozzles for improved detail. Railgun hatches can open and close through part-swapping.

Comparison with HG 105 Dagger & Gunbarrel

The orange tones are more subdued in this version. While both lack display-use 3mm holes, the Option Parts Set version has 3mm thruster holes for display options. The size is almost identical between the two kits.

Compatibility and Customization

Versatility with Other Kits

Fully compatible with HGCE Strike and other 3mm joint-equipped kits like the 30MM series. The included Gatling gun can be converted into a handheld weapon by attaching the provided grip.

Expandable Customization

The wings and Gunbarrel connection points can be disassembled, allowing creative configurations on 3mm-jointed models. Compatible with both Striker Packs and two-hole joint systems.

Enhancing with Multiple Kits

Purchasing two kits allows for:

Recreating the Gundam Breaker Ver. base parts by combining the included joints.
Expanded attachment options like horizontally spreading the Gunbarrels.

Summary

The Option Parts Set Gunpla 14 (Gunbarrel Striker) is a refined kit based on the Gundam Breaker Ver., with several adjustments:

New nose parts and simplified weapon options.
Enhanced aesthetics, such as clear parts and recessed seam lines.

With its abundant 3mm joints, this kit is highly customizable, not just for Striker Packs but for a wide variety of Gunpla builds. It’s exciting to see the Striker Pack lineup grow, with options like the Sword Striker, Launcher Striker, and Aile Striker adding to the mix. This kit provides great value for customization enthusiasts and fans of the Gunbarrel Striker.