Synopsis: What's a Toy line without a nemesis? The Mobile Fighter G-Gundam line definitely has produced its own share with a few small time bad guys, Master Gundam, and Dark Gundam.

So far Bandai has produced two versions of the Dark Gundam. The first mode or Ultimate Gundam featuring the crab-like look that usually lurked in the shadows during the earlier episodes of G-fighter and then this Gundam in its final mode which used Rain as the core-life-unit in the final episodes.

The release of this figure came as a shock to many since although its existence was known the quick release of this figure was not. My friend Leadbelly informed me of the release and I decided to pick it up.

Being a Deluxe release in a blister pack was quite a surprise given its overall size. You'd imagine this thing being placed in packaging similar to Xamel. Its even given an instruction sheet similar to those found Figure & Vehicle releases to aid in the transformation between the three modes.

The Figure: The Dark Gundam Final mode can transform into three different modes; "Dark Gundam Mobile Fighter mode," "Dark Gundam open claw mode," and "Dark Gundam Head Mode." Given all these modes I'll start with the first in the most detail and describe the latter two in terms of ease of transformation.

MOBILE FIGHTER MODE: The head of this figure has a decent range in motion given the design of the unit. The head cannot turn 360 degrees due to obstruction in the torso. The paint job is a little bare and the V-antenna is prone to bending, the two Dark Gundam's at the walmart both had a little bit of warping so be careful.

The arms move like an average MSiA. The shoulder armor and V-antenna of the torso hinders movement slightly though decent posing is possible. The shoulder armor features will be discussed later in the open claw mode section. The elbows bend with slightly more then 90 degrees of movement and can rotate without much problem. The hands connected on a ball joint however the wrist armor hinders most of the benefits offered by the ball joint. 4 hands were included: 2 closed fists and 2 clutching hands (not intended for holding weapons).

The legs are bulky however movement is slightly hindered by the lower torso, more by the rear skirt armor. The knee bends less then 90 degrees due to the bulky nature of the leg. The ankle and foot are joined by a ball joint and can provide a nice range of motion limited only by the ankle. The Dark Gundam also has articulation on each toe (or leg finger as described in the instructions). Each of the six toes per foot are fully foldable that can make for a good display.

The Torso is well painted and nicely detailed. The upper torso is joined to the lower torso by a couple of yellow segments that also provides for torso rotation. The Torso can rotate well limited only by interference of the removable V-antenna. The rear skirt is movable though its purpose will be addressed later.

OPEN CLAW MODE: This mode requires all of the spare parts that the Dark Gundam comes with focusing on the shoulder armors and the torso. Remember the yellow segments joining the upper and lower torso? Well a new segment is to be added between the two existing segments and I must admit that this is a real pain to put on which serves more as a deterrent to changing the dark gundam into these different modes (yes the Gundam Head mode requires it as well).

The Shoulder armor has a removable panel in the back. This panel is used to switch out the yellow nozzles with the individual claws. One claw is placed on a movable joint in the panel. The panel is then attached to the back of the shoulder armor via a slim yellow segment.

GUNDAM HEAD MODE: What's the Dark Gundam Final Mode without the Gundam head mode. Again the extra yellow segment must be added to the central torso. Under the rear armor skirt two pieces of face sections are found and removed to be placed in the front after the legs are moved back and the rear skirt armor is moved to form the top of the Gundam Head. The toes are folded in to complete the transformation.

The Accessories: Aside from the spare parts needed for the various modes, Dark Gundam has no other accessories.

Play Value: The mode change is a good idea however it can prove to be a slight hassle however for the G-Fighter collector an ultimate nemesis is always a great addition to have. The figure is also very well made.

Display Value: It's a large figure with a less-then-conventional design so attention is bound to be drawn toward it. Given this design it could bring in either favorable or less-then-favorable attention.

Dollar Value: This guy is huge!! With the different modes offered the deluxe price tag of $7.54 is quite a bargain. Bandai could have tried to price it like the Xamel but I'm not complaining.

Conclusion: Despite a few flaws a well made figure. One of the best G-fighter Gundams.

Above frontal view showing Dark Gundam's two types of hands:

Above Rear view of Dark Gundam in Mobile Fighter Mode:

Above view of extra segment to add in the torso for changing modes:

Above Rear view of upper torso to change into Dark Gundam Open Claw Mode 

Above Dark Gundam in Open Claw Mode 

Above Face Sections stored under Rear Skirt Armor 

Above Front view of Dark Gundam Head Mode 

Above Side view of Dark Gundam Head Mode

Above Rear view of Dark Gundam Head Mode