Toybox REVIEW: Chogokin Metal Gear Rex

Release Date: February 2025

RRP: 36,300 yen

Despite Metal Gear Solid being arguably one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, when it comes to figures and merchandising there's a lot of untapped potential. The majority of characters haven't had toys since the games originally released, and when it comes to the Metal Gears themselves the only real options are large/expensive figures like the ThreeA releases (which are even more expensive on the aftermarket) or Kotobukiya's impressive (but requiring a lot of extra work to look screen-accurate) model kits. As such it came as a bit of a surprise when Bandai Tamashii Nations announced their Chogokin Metal Gear Rex seemingly out of nowhere, bringing a new offering of the iconic war machine from the 1998 game to the table. At 36,300 yen (roughly $220/£171) it's still not exactly a cheap option, but as a Chogokin release their Rex should promise a high quality release with plenty of diecast metal. Is this truly the weapon that will lead us into the 21st century?

Chogokin Metal Gear Rex comes in a pretty hefty box made of thick cardboard, with an artwork layout that feels very reminiscent of the original Playstation game. Most sides of the box have a white background, but the large faded images of Rex over the top give it a far more detailed look. Each side is also adorned with a properly coloured image of the figure, shown off in various poses as well as with boxed off sections highlighting different features and/or details. The front of the box also features the name "Metal Gear Rex" in glossy silver lettering, using the same font as the Metal Gear Solid logo. That same lettering is repeated across all the other sides of the box (along with the Bandai Chogokin line logo), only with red lettering that again matches that of the game's logo. On the back of the box you'll find the most detailed look at the figure itself, with Rex shown off in a number of different poses showing off its articulation and features. Inside the figure is stored on a deep plastic tray, with the railgun, radome dish and stand parts underneath on their own shallower tray. An instruction booklet is also included that explains the articulation and features in greater detail. Due to being stored separately in package the railgun and radome need to be attached manually, which is thankfully just a simple case of popping them into the plug sockets on their respective sides of the mecha.

Straight out of the box and you can see why the Chogokin lines are a particularly premium product among Bandai's large repertoire of collector toy lines. Chogokin Metal Gear Rex is based upon the mecha's first appearance in the original 1998 Metal Gear Solid - sporting a grey and green camo print colour scheme as it did in the game. The deco is predominantly paintwork, all of which has been applied exquisitely. The design is a combination of smooth panels and moulded mechanical detailing, all of which has been impressively replicated down to the last detail. True to the Chogokin name Rex features a considerable amount of diecast metal in its construction (the full breakdown of which can be viewed here), not only in exposed areas to give it a more premium look/feel but also in key areas to provide additional weight-bearing support. At roughly 151mm (6") tall it isn't the largest version of Rex out there, but even at this more manageable size it has real heft and shelf presence. At approximately 210mm long the railgun is suitably impressive, and definitely the part you need to take the most care with because of its thin construction. An absolutely incredible display of quality on Bandai's part, with this Rex looking even more detailed and defined than it ever could on a nearly three-decade old game.

Metal Gear Rex can be posed and/or displayed in varying stages of its launch sequence, with its standby mode feeling a lot more tank-like in shape. However even in this form there is still plenty of articulation to enjoy, starting with the head/cockpit section. Not only is it able to pull forwards from the main body, but it can also rock and slightly turn side to side just like a dinosaur head. Opening the jaw reveals a fully sculpted cockpit section, which while sadly lacks a Liquid Snake figurine piloting it (if I had one minor complaint about this figure it's that it would have been nice to have an optional one) is still properly and intricately detailed. The railgun and radome are both attached to hinged arms that can raise/lower from the main body, along with an additional swivel hinge joints where the parts themselves attach to said arms. This gives them both quite a good range of motion, while the radome also has hinged fin parts that can be positioned as you please. Finally the back section of Rex also features eight hinged doors, which upon opening reveal missile pod detailing.

To begin putting Rex into activation mode involves pulling the lower legs down, then using both the fin-like pieces at the back of the legs and the built-in feet flaps at the front to support the weight. Rex actually has a really good range of leg articulation, and it definitely helps that the hip joints comprise a significant percentage of the diecast here. They're thick ratcheting joints that provide firm support, and the upper legs can also be pulled outwards as well as rotated around. Below that the lower leg part can also be rotated around separately, which means the legs can be splayed outwards to quite an impressive degree. Raising Rex's body up also gives you a much better glimpse at the laser located underneath the cockpit, which can be pulled down and positioned to target any agents that might be standing underneath it trying to fire Stinger missiles.

Standing Rex up fully is a particularly satisfying step in its activation, with the lower legs extending outwards for extra length - revealing diecast pistons and other inner detailing in the process. At this point those back fins are no longer able to provide additional leg support, but those flaps on the back of the feet fold down further to make Rex a little more flat-footed. Another fun little feature is that those diecast toe spikes at the front can be extended as well. In fully activated mode Rex can theoretically stand up unaided (the design isn't completely impractical after all), but would require some very careful balancing and probably isn't good for the joints in the long run. This is why Bandai have kindly included a display stand, and since it's a nice basic which doesn't feel too distracting when in use it might be easier to rely on that to avoid any accidental breakage. 

One of the key features of the Chogokin figure is it's "Armour deployment gimmick", which is made up of pieces of removeable armour dotted around Rex's body. These include the top and sides of Rex's head, the thighs, thigh guards and lower legs as well as the top and sides of the back section. In addition to this, there are also a few hinged pieces which reveal Rex's innards in the same fashion. While there's always a innate fear of breakage when pulling pieces off an expensive figure, all of the armour actually pops off and off the body really easily. Removing these panels exposes Rex's inner structure, which whilst largely unpainted sports lots of moulded mechanical detailing as well as more of the diecast metal frame - really emphasising the solidity and intricacy of the figure. It also makes for a fun display alternative, as Rex could be posed with varying degrees of battle damage or mid-construction. 

Lifting up the latches on either side of Rex's head and removing the armour plating there (notably where Snake and Liquid had their final battle at the climax of the game) also reveals another gimmick on the toy. After removing the paper battery tab and flipping the switch to the side of it, the lights on either side of the cockpit and the blue visor-like piece in the centre illuminate - giving the figure an even more imposing look in low lighting. Opening the cockpit section also reveals a sixth light in the upper jaw, illuminating the cockpit below in particularly atmospheric fashion. Once the paper tab has been taken out removing the plating is only required when changing the batteries (for reference Rex runs on three LR44 batteries), as the switch itself can be accessed by simply lifting up the latch on the left-hand. A similar light-up feature was present on 3A's version so Bandai aren't exactly breaking new ground here, but that certainly doesn't make it any less striking. Even in normal lighting it makes the figure feel so much more alive, and the blue in the centre adds a nice bit of colour to the militaristic look.

The stand parts are comprised of a four-pronged base, three metal rods of varying size and then two plug pieces that fit onto the top of the rods and into Rex. With the rods being different sizes and the plugs each inserting into Rex at slightly different angles, there's plenty of scope to display Rex in different stances/stages of deployment mode. The stand is even strong enough to support Rex with one of the legs raised in the air, which gives you even more to work when it comes to dynamic poses. As previously mentioned while the figure does have the ability to stand unsupported in certain poses (less so when the legs are fully extended, but it's not impossible), being both a heavy and expensive release the stand definitely provides an extra level of assurance that it isn't going to suddenly topple over and break. The stand itself might not be particularly elegant, but it does the job wonderfully whilst being both sturdy and not taking up too much shelf space.

I've wanted a good figure of Metal Gear Rex since I was 11 years old, and whether it be lack of funds, lack of space or lack of skill all of the viable of options have eluded me until this day. But the Chogokin Metal Gear Rex has finally delivered on that childhood dream, and Bandai certainly haven't disappointed. While their version is perhaps a little smaller that some were hoping for, the Chogokin feels sufficiently imposing at a far more manageable size - its weighty construction and intricate parts ensuring that it feels worth its price tag. It's wonderfully poseable with or without the aid of the stand, and the implemented gimmicks are fun little additions without impacting on the overall quality of the release. For those who can't afford the larger 3A versions or don't have the skills to paint up Kotobukiya's model kit to similar quality, this is the perfect alternative. While I'm not sure Bandai have any plans for a Chogokin Metal Gear Ray to accompany it, you can be sure it's something I've now started hoping for.