Metroid Gunship in-hand thought/pics!

[Kaijuboy]

Just got the F4F Metroid Gunship the other day, and thought I’d share some thoughts & pics on this classy piece.

The gunship is a decent size and feels very solid. The paint app is also much better than I expected and is quite nice in person (I was originally all prepared to do some touch-ups/repaint) with just the right metallic sheen and weathering in between panels. The stand has a very sturdy ball-joint that allows the ship to be pivoted about 45degrees in any given direction, and still feels very stable in any given pose.

The lights are also quite nice and bright and power on with a push off a switch on the back of the base (req 3 AA batteries, which are included). The ship’s lights (cockpit & 4 engines) stay on, while the base has a constantly rotating circular pattern. A nice touch (and unadvertised) feature is that when you turn off the lights, the base immediately goes off, while the ship’s lights slowly power down and fade.

Overall, I’ll quite pleased with it and it will fit well in anyone’s game or sci-fi ship collection.

 

[plasmid303]

Cool. Thanks for your review. So, in your opinion it's worth the price?

 

[canuck_spartan]

IMO, and I've seen it in person at an LCS, is that it isn't worth the price. Although it's a great piece, the overall lack of features doesn't warrant such a price. The size is pretty impressive though in person!

 

[Kaijuboy]

Cool. Thanks for your review. So, in your opinion it's worth the price?

Well, worth is a tricky question...

It retails for $299, but online sites have it for a little less (around $270), and then there's always ebay.

To me, YES, its worth it, Im pleased with its looks/features, I have no "buyers remorse" over it, and it will probably not be in any danger of being "sold off" anytime soon. Metroid, for as old a series as it is, has practically NO MERCHANDISE (here or in Japan) for some reason. And to actually have an "official", large, detailed (using Prime's actual 3D model) statue of the Iconic ship with working lights (and a lit base!) is a big deal for me. The only feature they could have ever added was a hatch compartment for Samus, but if you actually look at the ship, its a little too thin (actual design, not a fault of the statue) to adequately house that, and that hatch is also above where the stand connects to the ship, so it would have caused too many issues.

But love it or leave it, it's the only Metroid ship we've ever seen until now, and will likely be the ONLY ship we'll ever see for a while, so I'm glad that at least its a great representation and not something cheap/flimsy.

So much like any collectible, its worth is what it represents to you. I know people who've spent thousands on Disney stuff, which to me has no real appeal or worth , but I've spent thousands on Aliens stuff, which to them has no appeal.

 

[gannon]

I've got one too and love mine. I'd say definitely worth it.

Edit: I love how the base lights move/circle around

 

[dr_teng]

I really want to check this out in person because I am damn close to pulling the trigger. I had it on preorder for a really long time and it finally came out when I got nailed with a bunch of expenses, so I had to cancel it.

 

[Shropt]

Metroid has very little merchandise in Japan because they don't like it and never have. The game has simply always been a better seller in the US. That is why the new Metroid is being made by a famous Japanese developer and not an American studio.

 

[gannon]

I really want to check this out in person because I am damn close to pulling the trigger. I had it on preorder for a really long time and it finally came out when I got nailed with a bunch of expenses, so I had to cancel it.

You should get it and review it. Love seeing your reviews!

 

[lerath666]

first thing i thought of when i saw the pics was Flight of the navigator.

That's a GOOD thing imo.

Looks really cool.

 

[dr_teng]

You should get it and review it. Love seeing your reviews!

Thanks! Well, I'll keep an eye out on Ebay and see if I can get it at a reasonable price, maybe I can swing it.

 

[plasmid303]

Metroid has very little merchandise in Japan because they don't like it and never have. The game has simply always been a better seller in the US. That is why the new Metroid is being made by a famous Japanese developer and not an American studio.

I think this changed when Nintendo came up with Zero Suit Samus. Japanese nerds love obviously Anime-styled chicks, which up until that point Samus never was.

Well, worth is a tricky question...

It retails for $299, but online sites have it for a little less (around $270), and then there's always ebay.

To me, YES, its worth it, Im pleased with its looks/features, I have no "buyers remorse" over it, and it will probably not be in any danger of being "sold off" anytime soon. Metroid, for as old a series as it is, has practically NO MERCHANDISE (here or in Japan) for some reason. And to actually have an "official", large, detailed (using Prime's actual 3D model) statue of the Iconic ship with working lights (and a lit base!) is a big deal for me. The only feature they could have ever added was a hatch compartment for Samus, but if you actually look at the ship, its a little too thin (actual design, not a fault of the statue) to adequately house that, and that hatch is also above where the stand connects to the ship, so it would have caused too many issues.

But love it or leave it, it's the only Metroid ship we've ever seen until now, and will likely be the ONLY ship we'll ever see for a while, so I'm glad that at least its a great representation and not something cheap/flimsy.

So much like any collectible, its worth is what it represents to you. I know people who've spent thousands on Disney stuff, which to me has no real appeal or worth , but I've spent thousands on Aliens stuff, which to them has no appeal.

I guess when one considers how unique this collectible is, then $300 doesn't seem so steep. I've paid more for less.

 

[gannon]

Here's a good video that shows off the lighting effect of the gunship - love how the lights fade out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP7AT9RFmCU

 

[Drakul]

Sorry for the necro bump

I just received this piece and it looks mighty nice but for some reason my swivel joint is glued tight and doesn't move at all.
Anyone encounter this issue?