Goldymarg

For review today, we have Goldymarg from King of Braves GaoGaiGar. I was a little delayed with getting this review but in a way that was good because it gave me a little time to get acquainted with this orange fellow. I really liked what Bandai did with the GX-68 GaoGaiGar. Even the video teaser they made gave me chills. Enought that I threw almost $300 their way on a figure I never imagined I would own. Because of this, I preordered Goldymarg. After seeing some initial pre-release photos I felt the need to cancel my preorder because something about it just didn’t seem right. After it came out and initial reviews were done it pretty much made it apparent to me I had made the right decision in cancelling. Or did I? Some say it’s just a fance accessory and should have been treated as such. Some say they have trouble accepting it as a GX release. Let’s take a look.

Goldymarg comes in a bigger than expected box that is just as well designed and laid out as all the releases before it. The orange theme really makes it stand out among all the darker previous designs. The back features all the beautiful photos you come to expect from a GX release.

Goldytank requires some simple assembly. All that needs to be done is to attach the hammer portion to the top of the tank mode.

Once installed we can see what he is supposed to look like.

The barrel can move up and down with ratchets but not side to side.

Size comparison with Masterpiece Wheeljack.

Underneath Goldytank is pretty much all of robot mode.

I like the special small detailing like this top part which has some nice clear blue lenses.

Not so detailed are the wheels. This is where I became confused. Its a Soul of Chogokin release but sorely lacking the detail of others in the line. At this point I start thinking that maybe Bandai was trying to really capture a toy-like feel to this.

After some really simple transformation movements we get Goldymarg. Now things are getting interesting.

Even though overall this has a very toy-like feel, some SOC-ness has been kept in the small details, for example the chest.

I especially like the metallic reds used.

It looks like Bandai went out of their way to close off the bottoms of the feet by adding a double-folding panel. The left side shows the panel unfolded and the right without.

So wait, they engineered a way to close off the bottom of the feet that you dont see, but left the backs of the left completely hollow? And yes that barrel has to be there to keep him standing for the most part.

The standard perfect transformation fists can be replaced with these bigger more accurate fists.

Also included are open hands which are excellently sculpted.

Scaling with a 1/60 Yamato Valkyrie.

Scaling with some other Masterpiece size Transformers. My reason for scaling with TFs is because a lot of people own them.

Goldymarg has a third mode- Marg Hand/Goldion Hammer. You will need your GX-68 GaoGaiGar. Remove his forearm and position his arm this way.

Next, position this stand. You will need it.

Next, fold up your Goldymarg (feels like that is all you need to do) and attack some small brackets to allow to attach to GaoGaiGar.

Here is the standard knuckle-articulated hand that folds out of Goldymarg. It has a tab built in to the palm to allow it to hold onto the hammer.

Once all is done prepare to be astounded by its size. It is a display hog!

The Marg Hand also has a larger more accurate hand with articulated finger at the knuckles.

I can comfortably hold the hammer with out the use of tabs but I wouldn’t go shaking it about.

The set also allows you to recreate Hammer Hell nail. It comes with a smaller nail to emulate it being slightly pulled out.

Then there is a longer nail which has a removable tip.

The nail tip removes so that you can attach a small claw to hold the Zonder Core.

Goldymargs shins also articulate to remove nail from enemy.

In the beginning I had preordered this set to go with my GaoGaiGar. Then after initial photos and videos, I cancelled it because something about it just didn’t have that SOC feel. Even now that I did end up with one, I have confirmed to myself that it doesn’t have that SOC feel. I think it has to do with those missing panels in the back of the leg. It looks too toy-like. The plastics, while very high quality, are very shiny. Maybe that was the point- make it toy-like. I’m thinking it is and allowing myself to believe that makes this more tolerable but in the end its a super expensive set that is only enjoyable as long as you don’t have to handle it too much. If it wasn’t for that very obvious clear stand, this would just look absolutely awesome. It is possible to sort of get away without using the stand but you risk the set toppling.