GamesActionThe next Gundam game plays into the joy of Gunpla model kitbashing with decades of parts to mix and matchWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesActionThe next Gundam game plays into the joy of Gunpla model kitbashing with decades of parts to mix and matchWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
“Why not?”
That was the answer Bandai Namco’s Tatsuhiro Suzuki fired back when I asked a question bordering on the perverse: DoesGundam Breaker 4let you mix regular and SD Gundam parts while cobbling together a mecha of your very own? To demonstrate, one of the developers selected the normally-sized head of our in-progress Gundam build and swapped it for one of the chibi, or “super-deformed,” Gundam head pieces, like someone surgically attaching Clifford the Big Red Dog’s noggin to a dachshund. Then to prove the point, he tapped a button to make the headeven biggerbefore scaling it down to something more size-appropriate for the rest of our build. Still, we’d basically just put a pair of googly eyes on a war machine.
“Every single part you can change the scale of, so technically you can make the SD look HD,” joked Suzuki.
Officially, the tagline for Gundam Breaker 4 seems to be “create your own ultimate Gundam.” But the unofficial mantra of the development team behind this new mecha action game, who I recently interviewed in Tokyo, seems to be, like Suzuki said, “Why not?” The root idea of the series, which last saw an entry with 2018’s New Gundam Breaker, is different from most other Gundam games. Where those games typically focus on the experience of being a Gundam pilot, whether that manifests as a strategy game, first-person shooter or 3D arena fighter, Gundam Breaker is all about the model kits.
Image1of11Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Image1of11Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Image1of11
Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)
Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)
Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)
Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)
Inayoshi shows off one of Bandai’s simpler RX-78 models(Image credit: Future)
Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)
Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)
Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)
Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)
Talk about posable!(Image credit: Future)
One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)
One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)
One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)
One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)
One of Bandai Namco’s unique four-color runners(Image credit: Future)
A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)
A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)
A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)
A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)
A scale model of the injection molding machine from the factory floor(Image credit: Future)
The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)
The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)
The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)
The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)
The normal plastic material used to produce a Gunpla, and excess material to be recycled on the right(Image credit: Future)
You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)
You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)
You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)
You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)
You wouldn’t see this kind of fancy metal knee joint in older Gunpla kits(Image credit: Future)
The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)
The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)
The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)
The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)
The Hyaku Shiki out in front where it belongs(Image credit: Future)
An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)
An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)
An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)
An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)
An example of just how complex the multi-color injection molding can get(Image credit: Future)
And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)
And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)
And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)
And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)
And the end result of assembly(Image credit: Future)
Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)
Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)
Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)
Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)
Runners and boxes from some vintage Gunpla(Image credit: Future)
Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Bandai’s been doing this for awhile.(Image credit: Future)
Inayoshi told me that the factory runs pretty much 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, each day pumping out some 70,000 “runners”—the individual injection-molded plastic trays that hold dozens of parts waiting to be punched out. That averages out to about 10,000 model kits a day, a number that will be going up in the future as Bandai Namco brings another factory online. Inayoshi’s creative team is responsible for designing new Gunpla kits as well as other models, from Pokémon to Star Wars. They create some 350 new designs a year, a pace I don’t envy having to work at (though I do envy their team jackets, styled after the uniforms from the original Gundam anime).
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I haven’t visited the factories for any of Bandai Namco’s modelmaking competitors, but I don’t think Inayoshi is blowing smoke when he says that the competition can only manufacture runners with 1-2 colors of plastic being molded together at once. Modern Gunpla’s secret sauce, which has allowed the kits to grow consistently more intricate and better-looking over the last decade, is that Bandai’s assembly line machines can injection-mold four colors at once. That may not sound like a big deal—why not just put the different-colored parts on different runners?—but it opens the door to more color variety in kits, gives the designer flexibility in how they arrange parts, and makes the logistics of producing those 70,000 runners a day a bit more feasible.
The original Gunpla mold, still in use today.(Image credit: Future)
New to Gundam Breaker 4 is a diorama mode where you can pose custom and stock Gundams into a battle scene, complete with anime-appropriate poses and backgrounds and props to embellish the scene. This is in addition to a basic photo mode and is the kind of feature that a small percentage of players will almost certainly create amazing things with.
Image1of4A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Image1of4A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Image1of4
A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
A Gundam Breaker 4 SD Guntank horror(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
“If you wanted to do this in real life, making these dioramas, it’s going to be super expensive,” said Suzuki. “But in a game, why not? We can do it in five minutes. That’s [another way] we’re reaching out to Gunpla fans as well.”
It’s really a looter shooter: every battle you’ll wipe the floor with mobs of weak enemies, and at the end of the mission you’ll scroll through a list of rewards, piles of arm and leg and head and chest parts with rarity levels that tweak your machine’s stats. I found combat to be breezily button-mashy, with a set of customizable equipment for special attacks and items like heals on cooldowns doing most of the work to shape my strategy in combat.
Image1of6(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Image1of6(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Image1of6
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
There’s a campaign mode in Gundam Breaker 4, but I have a feeling its plot won’t prove to be a big draw for me or others who like the (good) Gundam series that do their best to use cool robots to explore the value of war and humanity’s eternal struggle towards understanding over bloodshed. The only theme here is “Gundam models are cool,” and everywhere I looked in Gundam Breaker 4 there was a small touch that reinforced it:
If I’m going to wade through thousands of pieces of loot to build my ultimate Gundam, I definitely want my friends to be there to see it.
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