You know the feeling when you first stepped into that hangar in Shadow Moses? The freezing air, the humming electronics, and then—there it is. Metal Gear REX. It’s a bipedal nightmare. It’s a nuclear-equipped walking battle tank that redefined what boss fights could look like back in 1998. Fast forward to today, and the obsession hasn't faded; it has just migrated into plastic bricks. If you're looking for an official LEGO Metal Gear REX set on store shelves, you're going to be looking for a long time. It doesn't exist. Not yet, anyway.
Despite the massive popularity of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, the LEGO Group hasn't touched the license. Maybe it’s the "war" theme, or maybe the licensing with Konami is just a headache nobody wants to deal with. But here’s the thing: the community didn’t wait for permission. The world of My Own Creations (MOCs) has stepped in to fill the void, creating some of the most complex, mechanically impressive, and frankly terrifying models I've ever seen.
The Ghost in the Machine: Why We’re Still Obsessed
Why do we care? Honestly, REX is just cool. It’s not just a robot; it’s a character. Designed by Yoji Shinkawa, its silhouette is unmistakable. It’s got that hunched back, the massive railgun, and the "beak" that houses the cockpit. It looks like a prehistoric predator made of cold, hard steel. For a LEGO builder, that geometry is a nightmare. It’s all angles. There are very few right angles on REX, which means if you're trying to build one, you’re diving deep into SNOT (Studs Not On Top) techniques and specialized hinges.
Building a LEGO Metal Gear REX isn't just about stacking bricks. It’s about structural integrity. The design is top-heavy by nature. You have these massive legs supporting a torso that weighs a ton, plus a giant railgun hanging off one side. If your friction joints aren't perfect, the whole thing just does a sad, slow-motion faceplant onto your desk. I've seen it happen. It’s heartbreaking.
The Legends of the MOC World
When you talk about REX in bricks, a few names always come up. You’ve probably seen the massive version by Marco De Bon. It’s a beast. He captured the scale in a way that makes you feel like Solid Snake hiding behind a crate. Then there’s Ji-Hwan Keum, whose version is widely considered the gold standard for accuracy. His REX uses a mix of Technic and System parts to ensure it doesn't just look good, but actually stays upright.
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What’s wild is how these designers solve the "head" problem. The radome—that big circular dish on the left side—is the most sensitive part of the machine. In the game, you blow it up to force Liquid to open the cockpit. In LEGO, getting that perfect circular shape at that scale is a test of your patience. Some builders use actual satellite dish pieces, while others build it out of curved slopes for a more textured, "industrial" look.
I personally think the "Play Arts Kai" style builds are the most impressive. They try to replicate the articulation of high-end action figures. Imagine a LEGO model that can actually crouch into the firing position. It’s possible, but you’re going to need a lot of Technic click-hinges and a prayer.
The LEGO Ideas Heartbreak
We have to talk about the LEGO Ideas platform. Over the years, several Metal Gear projects have hit the 10,000-supporter milestone. Fans get their hopes up. They see the "Official Review" tag and think, "This is it. I can finally buy a REX at the mall." And then? Rejected. Every single time.
The most famous one was probably by n_p_periwinkle. It was a gorgeous, mid-sized REX that looked like it belonged on a shelf next to the Star Wars UCS sets. LEGO’s rejection usually boils down to two things: licensing and "brand fit." LEGO has a famously complicated relationship with realistic military hardware. Even though REX is sci-fi, it’s still a nuclear launch platform. That’s a tough sell for a company that prides itself on "wholesome play."
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How to Get Your Own LEGO Metal Gear REX Right Now
Since you can't go to a store, you've got three real paths. Each has its own pros and cons, and honestly, none of them are "cheap."
- Rebrickable is your best friend. This is the site where MOC designers sell their instructions. You buy a PDF (usually between $10 and $30) and then you use the parts list to buy individual bricks from BrickLink. It’s a process. You’ll be ordering from three different sellers in three different countries. You’ll pay way too much for shipping. But when the boxes arrive, and you start building a design that was made by a fan for fans? There’s nothing like it.
- The "Off-Brand" Kits. You’ll see them on Amazon or AliExpress. They often use stolen designs from MOC creators. I’m not here to be the morality police, but I will say this: the brick quality is hit or miss. If a REX is held together by weak friction, and you use low-quality bricks, it will fall over. If you go this route, at least try to find the original designer and buy their instructions separately so they get their cut.
- The "Scratch Build." This is for the brave. You open your bin of random grey bricks and you just start. My advice? Start with the feet. If the feet aren't wide enough and the ankles aren't locked, the rest doesn't matter.
The Technical Challenges (and Why They Matter)
Let’s get nerdy for a second. The railgun is the biggest hurdle. On the actual model, the railgun is huge. It’s a long, heavy lever attached to the shoulder. In physics terms, that’s a lot of torque. If you build it out of solid bricks, it’s going to sag. Expert builders often use a core of Technic axles or even "illegal" techniques—where you stress the plastic slightly to get a tighter fit—to keep it straight.
Then there’s the camo. REX isn't just grey. It’s got that dappled, urban camouflage. Achieving that in LEGO means "greebling." You use tiny, seemingly random parts—mechanical arms, clips, small grilles—to create texture. It breaks up the flat surfaces and makes the model look "real." It’s the difference between a toy and a masterpiece.
Scale: Why 1:40 is the Magic Number
Most people try to build REX to "Minifigure Scale." If you want a Solid Snake figure to stand next to it and look proportional, the REX needs to be about 12 to 15 inches tall. At this scale, it’s big enough to be detailed but small enough to actually sit on a bookshelf. If you go smaller, you lose the "beak" detail. If you go bigger, you need a custom-built support stand or the legs will simply snap.
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I’ve seen some "micro-scale" versions that are only 4 inches tall. They’re cute, and they use clever parts—like using a pair of binoculars for the gatling gun. They're great for a desk, but they don't capture the sheer menace of the machine.
What Most People Get Wrong About REX Designs
People always forget the "hidden" features. In Metal Gear Solid, REX has a rear-mounted boarding ramp. It has anti-personnel missiles hidden in the knees. It has a laser under the cockpit. Most builders focus so much on the railgun that they forget these little details.
Also, the color. Everyone goes for Light Bluish Gray. It’s the standard LEGO color. But REX in the game has a slight blue-green tint. If you really want your LEGO Metal Gear REX to stand out, try mixing in some Sand Blue or Dark Green elements. It gives it that weathered, "stored in a damp silo for years" vibe that really nails the Shadow Moses aesthetic.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Builder
If you're ready to add a nuclear-capable walking tank to your collection, here is exactly how you should start. Don't just dive in and waste money on shipping fees.
- Audit your "Grey" stash. You are going to need more slopes than you think. Specifically, 1x2 and 2x2 slopes in Light and Dark Bluish Gray. If you don't have at least 50 of each, just go to BrickLink now.
- Pick a scale. Decide if you want a display piece or a play piece. If it's for display, go for Marco De Bon’s designs. If you want something you can actually move around, look for smaller "Midi-scale" designs on Rebrickable.
- Focus on the joints. Buy "Mixel joints" (the small ball-and-socket pieces). They have high friction and are essential for the smaller details like the radome arm or the cockpit sensors. For the main legs, stick to Technic gear-tooth connectors that "lock" into place.
- The "Snake" Factor. No REX is complete without a Solid Snake. Since there's no official figure, look into custom printed ones from places like Citizen Brick or Minifigs.me. A REX without a Snake is just a robot; with the figure, it’s a scene.
Building a REX is a rite of passage for gaming LEGO fans. It’s a frustrating, expensive, and time-consuming process that will probably end with you chasing a tiny translucent red brick across the floor at 2 AM. But when you finally snap that railgun into place and the whole thing stands on its own? It’s pure magic. You’re not just building a model; you’re building a piece of gaming history. Just don't let it start a nuclear war on your coffee table. Keep the safety on.