What Is GUNDAM ASSEMBLE? BANDAI's New Miniatures Game (2026)

GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is BANDAI SPIRITS' new tabletop miniatures game, built around small assembled-and-painted Gundam figures instead of the display-only kits the Gunpla line is known for. It launches in October 2026 with a $35 starter set, and because it was only fully revealed on March 4, 2026, almost nothing in English explains what it actually is, what is in the box, or how it is different from the Gunpla most collectors already know. Here is what is confirmed so far.

What Is GUNDAM ASSEMBLE?

GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is a skirmish-style tabletop wargame published under BANDAI's tabletop games brand. Players assemble and paint roughly 5 cm Gundam miniatures, then use them to play squad-based battles on a game board, with each mobile suit carrying its own traits and abilities rather than existing purely for display. It keeps the model-building step that Gunpla fans already enjoy, but adds a competitive ruleset on top of it.

The combat itself leans on two things the game's announcement calls out specifically: unit cards that give each mobile suit distinct traits and abilities, and board terrain that affects movement and line of sight during a match. That is the part Gunpla itself has never had — a Gunpla kit tells you nothing about how it performs against another kit, because no official rules exist for that. GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is built to answer that question directly.

If you already collect Gunpla or prize figures and want to see what is shipping alongside the new game, Akibato's Gundam collection carries current kuji and prize-figure releases from Japan.

GUNDAM ASSEMBLE Release Date and Price

Five GUNDAM ASSEMBLE products launch simultaneously in October 2026, with BANDAI planning monthly releases after that and more than 30 items worldwide within the first year. The entry-level product is GUNDAM ASSEMBLE STARTER SET 01, priced at $35 MSRP.

What's in the Starter Set 01

The Starter Set ships with six miniatures, roughly 5 cm tall, drawn from three different Gundam series rather than a single show:

That spread matters for anyone deciding whether to buy in: a single $35 box gives you recognizable mobile suits from three separate eras of the franchise rather than one show's full roster, which is closer to an all-star starter than a single-series army.

GUNDAM ASSEMBLE vs Gunpla: What's Actually Different

• Gunpla is a model-kit line with no official combat rules. You build it, you display it, and any "battles" are fan-made.
• GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is a rules-driven skirmish game. Each miniature has stats and unique abilities, and matches are played competitively on a board with terrain.
• Gunpla grades (EG through PG) sort kits by detail and difficulty, not price alone — and the spread is wide: Entry Grade runs about $5–$10, High Grade about $10–$30, Real Grade about $25–$55, Master Grade about $45–$90, and Perfect Grade $150 and up, per hobby retailer PREX's grade breakdown. A $35 GUNDAM ASSEMBLE starter set lands mid-pack on price but buys a full six-miniature roster plus a ruleset, not one kit.
• GUNDAM ASSEMBLE was designed by Justin Gary of Stone Blade Entertainment, the designer behind the card games Ascension and Oshi Push — a board-game studio, not BANDAI's usual Gunpla design team.

Who Made GUNDAM ASSEMBLE, and When Was It Announced?

GUNDAM ASSEMBLE was first previewed at Gen Con 2025, with initial SKUs — the Starter Set and the larger Deluxe Set — shown publicly at GAMA Expo 2026. BANDAI NAMCO Toys & Collectibles America then made the full announcement on March 4, 2026, confirming the October 2026 launch window, the $35 Starter Set price, and the six-miniature lineup. Expansion packs are planned to let players mix and match units to build custom teams, on top of the base Starter and Deluxe sets.

Will GUNDAM ASSEMBLE Be Easy to Find Outside Japan?

This is one of the few Gundam product lines where an English-language availability answer exists before launch day. Most Gunpla exclusives are announced by BANDAI SPIRITS in Japan first, and collectors outside Japan often wait months — or rely on import shops — before a kit reaches them officially. GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is different: the March 2026 announcement came directly from BANDAI NAMCO Toys & Collectibles America, the company's North American division, which means the October 2026 launch is built around simultaneous worldwide release rather than a Japan-first rollout.

That does not guarantee every future expansion pack lands on the same day everywhere, since BANDAI has not detailed a region-by-region schedule past the first five items. But it does mean the Starter Set and Deluxe Set are not JP-exclusive the way a collector-only Gunpla kit sometimes is.

GUNDAM ASSEMBLE FAQ

Is GUNDAM ASSEMBLE the same thing as Gunpla?

No. Both use small plastic Gundam miniatures that you assemble yourself, but Gunpla is a display-focused model kit line with no official battle rules, while GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is a separate tabletop skirmish game with stats, abilities, and competitive play built in.

How much does it cost to start playing GUNDAM ASSEMBLE?

The entry point is the GUNDAM ASSEMBLE STARTER SET 01 at $35 MSRP, which includes six miniatures and supports 3-vs-3 games. BANDAI has not disclosed pricing yet for the larger Deluxe Set or the expansion packs.

What is the GUNDAM ASSEMBLE Deluxe Set?

The Deluxe Set is the larger of the two confirmed products, built around 5-vs-5 miniature battles rather than the Starter Set's 3-vs-3 format. BANDAI has not announced its price or full contents.

When does GUNDAM ASSEMBLE launch?

Five products launch simultaneously in October 2026, with monthly releases afterward and a plan to reach more than 30 items worldwide within the first year.

What to Collect While You Wait

GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is new enough that there is no secondary market or import guide to speak of yet — the honest answer, for now, is to wait for the October 2026 launch and watch for English availability. If you already collect Gundam kits or prize figures in the meantime, Akibato's Gundam collection ships current kuji and figure releases from Japan, and the Gundam watch order guide is a good next stop if you are newer to the franchise. Collectors weighing Gunpla grades against a prize-figure shelf may also want the most-wanted anime figures guide for what else is worth chasing right now.

Summary

• GUNDAM ASSEMBLE is BANDAI's new skirmish tabletop miniatures game, separate from the display-focused Gunpla kit line.
• It launches October 2026 with five simultaneous products, then monthly releases, aiming for 30+ items worldwide within a year.
• The $35 Starter Set 01 includes six ~5 cm miniatures spanning three Gundam series: the original 1979 show, Gundam Wing, and Iron-Blooded Orphans.
• A separate Deluxe Set supports 5-vs-5 battles; its price has not been disclosed.
• It was designed by Justin Gary of Stone Blade Entertainment (Ascension, Oshi Push), first previewed at Gen Con 2025, and officially announced March 4, 2026.

Sources

• PR Newswire — Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America: GUNDAM ASSEMBLE Series to Launch in October 2026
• ICv2 — GAMA Expo 2026 News: Bandai Unveils 'Gundam Assemble' Initial SKUs
• Skirmish Games — Gundam Assemble Miniatures Game Revealed by Bandai
• PREX Hobby — Gunpla Grade Guide: HG vs RG vs MG vs PG