CurioRank · Best Picks
Bandai Gunpla (Gundam), Tamiya cars and tanks, Revell aircraft, Bandai Star Wars vehicle kits. Snap-fit and glue-and-paint plastic models.
Quick Take
Bandai HG Gunpla at $15-25 is the universal model-kit entry. Tamiya 1:24 cars are the gateway to glue-and-paint. RG and MG Gunpla are the serious builds.
✓ Top Pick
Bandai RG Strike Freedom Gundam
RG-grade Gunpla flagship.
Based on 124 buyer mentions
Smart Pick
Bandai HG Barbatos Lupus Rex
Best score-to-price ratio in this category at $20.
Buy on Amazon✗ Skip This
Counterfeit Bandai-style Gunpla
Knockoffs have poor part fit, brittle plastic, missing pieces.
In 30 seconds
If you just want the answer, here are the three picks worth knowing.
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| Buyer sentiment | Quality Appearance Buyers praise quality and appearance. Based on 124 user mentions | - | Model quality Appearance Build quality Assembly Buyers praise model quality, appearance and build quality. Some flag assembly. Based on 114 user mentions | Quality Appearance Assembly Fun Durability Loose pieces Buyers praise quality, appearance, assembly and fun. Some flag durability and loose pieces. Based on 135 user mentions | Quality Ease of assembly Detailed Buyers praise quality, ease of assembly and detailed. Based on 35 user mentions | Model Detail Assembly Appearance Instructions Buyers praise model, detail, assembly and appearance. Some flag instructions. Based on 185 user mentions |
| Grade | RG (Real Grade) | MGEX (Master Grade Extreme) | MG (Master Grade) | HG (High Grade) | 1:24 Sports Car | 1:72 Star Wars |
| Build Time | 4-6 hours | 15-25 hours | 12+ hours | 2-3 hours | 8-12 hours | 3-4 hours |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | Advanced | Advanced | Beginner | Intermediate-Advanced | Intermediate |
| Brand | Bandai | Bandai | Bandai | Bandai | Tamiya | Bandai |
| Scale | 1/144 | 1/100 | 1/100 | 1/144 | 1/24 | 1/72 |
* Prices are approximate and may not reflect current rates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prices checked Sep 12, 2026
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are subject to change.
Read the full buying guide
Snap-fit Gunpla dominates the modern model-kit category - here's how Bandai HG, RG, and MG grades compare against Tamiya scale models for the 2026 builder.
r/Gunpla considers HG the right starting grade. r/modelmakers rates Tamiya as the global gold standard.
Parents Love
💡 Surprising Truth
Gunpla has been in continuous production since 1980 - more than four decades of one plastic model line, still shipping new kits across five difficulty grades. Bandai has published cumulative sales figures over the years; we have not verified a current one, so we quote none.
Plastic model kits split into snap-fit (Bandai Gunpla, no glue or paint) and glue-and-paint (Tamiya, Revell, requires hobby skill). Gunpla grades ascend SD, HG ($15-25, the universal entry), RG, MG, then PG as the flagship, rising in part count, difficulty and price - our own RG and MG picks sit at $63.71 and $85.27. Tamiya cars and tanks are the western counterpart.
Filter by price
Grade
RG (Real Grade)
Build Time
4-6 hours
Skill Level
Intermediate
Brand
Bandai
Scale
1/144
The top of Bandai's mainstream grade ladder — MGEX sits above MG.
Grade
MGEX (Master Grade Extreme)
Build Time
15-25 hours
Skill Level
Advanced
Brand
Bandai
Scale
1/100
Grade
MG (Master Grade)
Build Time
12+ hours
Skill Level
Advanced
Brand
Bandai
Scale
1/100
Grade
HG (High Grade)
Build Time
2-3 hours
Skill Level
Beginner
Brand
Bandai
Scale
1/144
Grade
1:24 Sports Car
Build Time
8-12 hours
Skill Level
Intermediate-Advanced
Brand
Tamiya
Scale
1/24
Bandai's Star Wars kit lineage.
Grade
1:72 Star Wars
Build Time
3-4 hours
Skill Level
Intermediate
Brand
Bandai
Scale
1/72
* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
3D Puzzles
$69.99
Adult LEGO - Display & Icons
$59
Adult LEGO - Star Wars & UCS
$849.95
The grade letters on a Gunpla box are not difficulty ratings, and the smallest kits are not the easiest. Here is what Bandai's own catalog says each grade is, a
Snap-fit Gunpla dominates the modern model-kit category - here's how Bandai HG, RG, and MG grades compare against Tamiya scale models for the 2026 builder.