Reddit reviews Bandai Hobby MG Sazabi Version Ka Model Kit (1/100 Scale)

MG RX-78 Origin ticks most of those boxes. It's a modern kit of the oldest gundam. (despite the Amazon photos, the kit is in full color. Next to no paint needed)

Not terribly expensive, not overly complicated, iconic, articulate, etc. Good kit to get back into the hobby with.

If you want to just blow him away, Sazabi Ver Ka always works.

I build Gunpla, non-Bandi plamo, GW plastic, and FW resin. Simply put, Bandai's offerings, both in Gunpla and plamo, have Forgeworld details (without the occasional Forgeworld warping or bad pulls), Dark Vengeance (snapfit) assembly, largely precolored parts, poseability, and sane pricing.

I mean, really. this kit and this one both cost the same amount of money (in the US, $85). But one kit is 2 runners of gray plastic, and produces a static model (unless you magnetize, in which case it'll be mostly static). The other kit is 31 runners of parts in color, with poseability. Oh, and Bandai can offer it at this price, and still pay royalties to Sunrise.

1/144 are even less money, and you can choose between HG (focused on external detail) and RG (internal and external detail) kits.

I ended up going with this guy! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EOEBG2Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That would probably be the Sazabi Ver. Ka bestie.
Though I hear the ZZ Ver. Ka which recently came out gives it a good run for its money.

Here is a cool site to look at detailed reviews at majority of most kits out there bestie (click on the MG, RG, so on at the top). It’s in Korean, but they shows tons of pictures to give you an idea of the kit, and you can always translate the page to see what is said if needed.

Let me know if you have any other questions (Gundam or Gunpla) bestie I’ll answer them for you.

The Sazabi on my shelf is the MG Sazabi Ver. Ka

It's currently at $90 on Amazon.

As for the Gatling Guns, those are a third party add on. Made by Playwright

MG Sazabi is a beast of a kit, and it's just barely under $100 on Amazon at the moment.

Any version of the Unicorn Gundam is a good pick, though I'm not sure on Prime availability.

HG Kshatriya with Prime is ~$60.

Maybe a variation on the Sinanju? Stein, Ver. Ka, or Animation Color

What's your budget? If it's high, get him the HG Neo Zeong or the Sazabi Ver. ka. If he likes to add modifications, detailing and a challenge check out the Ex-S Gundam.

I think these might be more of a challenge. Hope the links work. http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Hobby-Sazabi-Version-Model/dp/B00EOEBG2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449005374&sr=8-1&keywords=sazabi+ver+ka http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Unicorn-Gundam-Ver-Ka-Master/dp/B005QKF860/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1449005374&sr=8-9&keywords=sazabi+ver+ka http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Hobby-Sengoku-Astray-Gundam/dp/B00HD4ILWK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449005701&sr=8-2&keywords=Sengoku+Astray+Gundamhttp://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Hobby-Gundam-Model-Astray/dp/B0042VJ018/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1449005374&sr=8-12&keywords=sazabi+ver+ka

As a few others have mentioned, the MG Sazabi Ver. Ka is the companion kit to the Nu Ver. Ka. Right now it is $85 on amazon, which is $15 above your price range. However, $85 is a great price for the kit considering the lowest price it has been on amazon was $74. As a side note, I have to say the Sazabi Ver Ka is one of the best kits I have ever built.

Another option is the Hi-Nu Ver. Ka. It is an alternate version of the Nu Gundam (the one that you linked). From what I understand, the Hi-Nu is an amazing kit, and is currently $73 on amazon.

Keeping in the same set of kits, you can get several SD kits. They are smaller cuter versions of the full kits and are much cheaper and easier to build. Plus getting three of them will cost about $40. Here are the links:

Nu Gundam SD

Sazabi SD

Hi-Nu Gundam SD

I hope this helped. If you can find out more about which series they like, we can offer more suggestions.

Bandai Hobby MG Sazabi Version Ka Model Kit (1/100 Scale) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOEBG2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_AM1NAb889NPRG

Update: its now almost $90

Sorry, I meant to say MG (Master Grade):

Bandai Hobby MG Sazabi Version Ka Model Kit (1/100 Scale) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOEBG2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-GOPDbSXK9MWN

I can relate to that. I've never really had a SAL package go missing or get damaged, but its worth the peace of mind to go for the more expensive options on more valuable purchases.

I actually purchased my Sazabi Ver Ka locally (even though it was 60$ more expensive) because I was mortified that the box would get dinged up due to its sheer size, so I wanted it to travel as small a distance as possible.

Np, just helping a fellow member fund that plastic crack addiction.

In reality, yes, the more plastic the higher the cost. Take for example, the Dendrobium, a $300+ HG kit. The problem is that online (specially on Amazon) prices can fluctuate a lot. I was able to snag the MG Sazabi Ver Ka for $83 about a year ago after about 6 months of tracking it's price, compare that to todays price of $124.35...yeah it can get bad.

Edit: Forgot to add, higher price does not always equal more plastic. Always check prices online against hlj.com or 1999.co.jp/eng to get an idea of MSRP before committing to a purchase.

The PG looks to be the Strike Freedom

Second from left is the Sazabi Ver. Ka

Far right is one of the Unicorns, maybe Full Armor? Not sure about far left or second from right.

http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Hobby-Sazabi-Version-Model/dp/B00EOEBG2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417304074&sr=8-1&keywords=sazabi+ver+ka

Here you go :D well it's not really a store but better than nothin :D