Soul of Chogokin GX-69 Goldymarg by Bandai Available From HobbyLink Japan
By Cacophanus from Mecha Damashii
Following the unboxing, here is the full review for the glorious Soul of Chogokin Goldymarg. As this is a companion toy to the Soul of Chogokin Gaogaigar I have also included that in this review, despite it being sold separately.
Like the Soul of Chogokin Gaogaigar before it, this new Goldymarg definitely ticks all the collector boxes but also harks back to the original toys from the ’90s.
This is very much meant to be played with and has some really excellent joint work and feels very durable. Considering that Goldymarg’s purpose is to transform into a giant golden hammer, it makes sense this toy is also pretty sturdy.
There have also been a fair few Goldymarg toys over the years and this one definitely comes out on top. Anyway, on with the review.
Goldymarg transforms across three modes: vehicle, robot, and Marg Hand. In robot mode you can use the hammer at the rear to prop up the figure (I chose to have the hammer handle a bit shorter for posing purposes). In vehicle form all the wheels roll just fine and when you transform it into robot mode the joints and articulation are very good, offering a nice, wide set of movements and facilitating a good array of poses with it.
The real fun starts when you transform Goldymarg into Marg Hand and combine him with Gaogaigar. This is when the Goldion Hammer separates and the Marg Hand is used to hold it. Due to the size and weight of the Marg Hand, it comes with its own stand to support it when attached to Gaogaigar. You also get all manner of additional parts to recreate the attack from the show.
My only gripe, and it is a small one, is that due to the transformation in the legs the backs are left open. I had hoped they would have a folding shutter for this, like on the base of the feet, but that isn’t the case.
Bar that minor point though, this is a really nice toy of Goldymarg. It not only captures the design brilliantly in terms of the excellent sculpt and detailing, but also imbues a real sense of fun, which is something the original design in the show did to great effect. The fact you can combine it with the already massive Gaogaigar to make the even more ostentatious Goldion Hammer is also really fantastic.
So as a toy in its own right Goldymarg is definitely a solid entry in the Soul of Chogokin line but is a thoroughly essential purchase for anyone who already bought the Soul of Chogokin Gaogaigar. What’s more, the Gaogaigar is getting a re-release this October and I can recommend that wholeheartedly, too.
