The best Perfect Grade Gunpla showcase all the best aspects of Bandai’s model-building experience. They’re huge, they have a ton of parts, and all sorts of gimmicks to discover. Each of these requires a significant investment of time (and often money) compared to smaller kits, and is meant to challenge even experienced builders. Each time one of these kits is released, it’s an event within the Gunpla community, and there are regularly several years between new kits. So, when it’s time to choose a PG to work on, you’ll want to know which are the best.
Best PG Gunpla as of 2025
Some readers might find this list controversial, but I tried to balance value, quality, and enjoyment factor. I’m also a Universal Century fanboy, so I’m incredibly biased. However, most of the Perfect Grade line is decent.
Check out our favorite High Grade and Real Grade Gunpla!
PG Unleashed RX-78-2 Gundam
MSRP: $300
The Perfect Grade Unleased RX-78-2 is Bandai’s most detailed model to date. It consists of over 1,000 parts and is an absolutely gargantuan build. Its layered construction is a marvel, and it’s the ultimate experience for gunpla fans. Numerous hatches and pistons give the impression that this is modeled after a real, functioning robot. Fortunately, despite its complexity, the PGU Gundam is eminently posable. There are over 90 points of articulation, meaning you can get this big boy in whatever position you want him in with minimal effort.
However, the PGU RX-78-2 is a big investment in time and money. You can expect this kit to take around 25-30 hours to complete, even for an experienced builder. Inexplicably, Bandai doesn’t include waterslides in the kit (or any Perfect Grades), so if you want it to look its best you’ll need to spend a bit more to get those.
PG GAT-X105+AQM/E-YM1 Perfect Strike Gundam
MSRP: $300
There are multiple versions of the PG Strike Gundam, but if you want the most complete version, you’ll want to grab the GAT-X105+AQM/E-YM1 Perfect Strike Gundam. This kit includes the parts needed to form the following:
- Strike Gundam
- Aile Strike Gundam
- Sword Strike Gundam
- Launcher Strike Gundam
- Perfect Strike Gundam
As such, there’s an astounding number of accessories included. Unfortunately, the Skygrasper is still a separate purchase (if you can even find it).
The major drawback of this model is that it can be somewhat unwieldy in its Perfect Strike configuration. Fortunately, a stand is included that makes posing easier. If you’re a Seed fan, this is the kit to get.
PG RX-178 Gundam Mk-II
MSRP: $160
Despite being a 24-year-old design, the RX-178 has held up very well. It’s a solid kit that exemplifies the best aspects of the Perfect Grade line while being extremely affordable. For just a bit more than a high-end Master Grade kit, you get an intricate model with plenty of detail, including working pistons in the joins, plenty of hatches, and excellent articulation. Given its affordability and quality, this makes for a great first Perfect Grade.
While it’s older and uses polycaps, the core of the model is strong enough to compensate for the droopiness those parts typically bring. It’s also an incredibly fun build. Just watch out for the chrome pegs that attach the torso to the cockpit and the clips that hold the sliding leg gimmicks in place, as these were the weakest parts in my experience.
Oddly, while the AEUG version is fairly common, I’ve never seen a PG RX-178 in Titans colors in the wild. As such, you can expect to pay a premium to third-party sellers if you want that variant.
PG RX-78GP01 Gundam “Zephyrantes”/Fb
MSRP: Around $400
With the PG GP01, you essentially get two Perfect Grades in one. You start by building the Zephyranthes base configuration, and then you can add the Full Burnern parts as you see fit. You’ll find that this Gunpla makes an excellent centerpiece, as it comes with a custom hangar stand that mounts the GP01, its upgrade parts, weapons, and a core fighter.
Unfortunately, this is the one model on this list that isn’t readily available. While most of the standard Perfect Grade Gunpla have been reprinted several times over the years, it’s been quite a while since Bandai has re-released the GP01. However, it’s overdue for a new run, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see one in the next few years.
Perfect Grade Kits to Avoid
These Perfect Grades aren’t necessarily bad, but they have enough flaws that many builders will want to avoid them.
PG MS-06F Zaku II
MSRP: $140
If you love grunt mobile suits, there’s only one option to choose from in the Perfect Grade line: the Zaku II. This is also the only PG model for Zeon fans to choose from. Unfortunately, it’s the worst Perfect Grade kit I’ve put together so far.
I tried to cut the PG Zaku II some slack since it was only the second PG kit to be released. However, it’s not a particularly enjoyable build. Installing the LED in the head is fiddly. It requires you to build a circuit that is overly complicated and not very reliable. This model also wins the award for the most frustrating power pipes I’ve ever dealt with.
Power pipes are a hallmark of Zeon suits that are known for causing frustration, but here they’re absolutely diabolical. To construct them, you have to thread a bunch of bead-like segments onto springs. Of course, if you accidentally let go of one of the springs without the end cap on it, all the segments fall off, and you get to start again from scratch. The springs also tend to have some sag to them, so there’s a good chance you’ll attach the pipes to the model and find they look terrible. Then you have to take them off and trim them, which essentially requires you to start the process over from step one.
As an older kit, the PG Zaku II is heavily reliant on polycaps, and many pieces of armor are held on by a tiny peg slotting into one of these joints. While the inner frame is very sturdy, once the armor is on, it feels like the model is going to explode at any moment. Additionally, there are seamlines everywhere, and there’s surprisingly little surface detail (the shield in particular is just a solid piece of plastic with zero panel lines).
On the upside, you can choose from two versions of the PG Zaku II: the mass-produced green suit and Char’s red custom version. It’s also pretty cheap at this point, and can frequently be found on sale in the $120-130 range. However, it takes an experienced builder to make this model pop, so make sure you’re ready for the commitment before you buy.
