REVIEW: Kotobukiya's Super Robot Wars 1/144th Scale Model Kits

Alteisen PTX-003C...

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Super Robot Wars: Original Generation is a Japanese video game (and now anime) series known for personalized, stylish robotic fighting machines called Personal Troopers. Until Bandai Visual’s upcoming release of the series to the US later this year, American audiences have had very little exposure to the series. However thanks to Kotobukiya, the series has been produced in model kit form and brought over to the US via select distributors for a MSRP of $24.95. In this review, we look at one of the main mecha of the series, the Alteisen.

According to the available material, the PTX-003C Alteisen (or “Old Iron” in German) is based on the Gespenst type Personal Trooper and personalized for its pilot Kyosuke Nanbu, one of SRW’s lead protagonists. Its rather bulky form is rather misleading for how nimble the machine really is. In model kit form, Kotobukiya has produced the machine to well balanced and design accurate proportions. There are some shortcomings which are typical gripes and concerns of its slated scale. However there are some redeeming qualities that come in the form of Kotobukiya’s attention to display value.

The Alteisen was originally released back in 2004 in the early days of the Super Robot Wars model kit line. The model was then re-released in 2006 to coincide with the release of the Super Robot Wars –Divine Wars- television series. Although little has been changed to the model, it still has a lot to offer even now. Out of the box, the Alteisen comes in its primary colors: red, black, white, and orange. Also included are a set of polycap parts for joints and friction reducing connections between parts. Koto has also ensured that the model follows the popular "Snap Fit" construction method, so building can be accomplished without glue. Another bonus of Koto’s efforts is pre-painted parts such as the face and torso, where green paint has been pre-applied to areas. Although building the model can be accomplished without paint, the Alteisen has several areas that can really be exemplified with paint applications.

As stated, construction of the Alteisen is all snap-fit but as with any model that has small parts, glue can have its benefits. Much of the Alteisen’s construction is done in shell pieces; two parts making a whole piece that have polycaps built into points for joining them to other pieces. Many of these shell points are then layered by additional parts to make a much larger portion if not the full assembly of an area. Polycaps are standard for joints, and are fit into the assembly of the limbs in order to provide articulation without part friction. The Alteisen has one of Kotobukiya’s most beneficial aspects of alternate parts. In which case, some parts are supplemented in either plastic or polycap form. For example, part “H-18” which is an L-shaped bar that is used to build a hatch on the shoulder launcher can be supplemented with “PC-L,” a polycap part of the same design. The use of either part is purely optional, but from trying either, the polycap alternative provides more mobility than the plastic version.

Another optional alternative present in the Alteisen’s construction are the front vents on the chest which is done as a precaution to the plastic’s fragile nature. The vents are done with either a two part assembly (outer framing and the inner vent) or a singular version with the details of both parts in one solid piece. For the sake of the full build, this review uses the first method of the two parts making the whole. It adds construction value and downplays on the paint requirements.

One of Kotobukiya’s most redeeming factors in the translation of the design into model kit form is the sharpness, where parts that look sharp on paper retain that detail value. This is present in the Alteisen’s horn and protruding fins on the side of its heads as well as the spike on the right arm. These parts are especially pointed, and sharp to the touch. This unfortunately makes the head more fragile with the sharp thin plastic in its crown.

There is an abundance of paint work to be done on the Alteisen which comes as a drawback to the nature of any 1/144 scale model. Additional detail to the model can be accomplished with Gundam Markers or detailing pens. The main areas of interest include the vents over the front of the feet, the spike on the right arm, the inside of the vents on the back of the shoulders, the striping on the back of the shoulders, the arch of the nose, and the bands across the top of the hip skirts and left arm gun barrels. Much of this paint work is done in the model’s primary colors but there are some additional points which are silver according to the color specs of the model’s booklet. There is some additional paint work, but these areas can be easily overlooked for those wanting to make a quick build.

Fully built, the Alteisen stands at about 6 inches and sports a scaled array of the design’s key features. Articulation is in the intermediate range due mostly to the bulky nature of the design. Most of the body is articulated via ball joints at the bicep (where it meets the shoulder) and legs (where the hips meet the waist). There is no waist articulation, which comes as a cost of the model’s bulk. The front and side skirts of the hips are hinged to allow the legs to rotate forward and out to the sides for some limited, albeit balance range. While the basic articulation is limited, the Alteisen has some redeeming points. At the point where the shoulder meets the torso, the parts are connected on a hinge peg and polycap sleeve which adds more rotation the arm, and provides some accenting to the movement, making it more fluid and dynamic.

Fans of weapon features will be happy to know that the Alteisen comes fully loaded even in 1/144 scale. The shoulder mounted launchers open at their hinge points at the lower door and sliding hinge at the upper door. As an extra feature, the revolver function of the right arm is performed admirably well. Not only does the chamber spin freely, but can dislocate at the base of the wrist in order to expose the full chamber. This allows for the model to be posed in a “reloading” action. Due to the internalized nature of the Alteisen’s arsenal, the model kit has no accessory weapons. The only accessories present in the kit are two sets of hands: closed fists and open palms.

Overall, Kotobukiya proves that Gundams are not the only cool looking robots in model kit form. The Alteisen is an exceptionally well crafted design in 1/144 scale despite its overwhelming paint requirements.

Review and Photos by Rob Braun

Review Sample Courtesy of Kotobukiya

Alteisen PTX-003C Photo Gallery