Mass Effect: Andromeda Nomad ND1 Die Cast Car from PDP

Video game collectibles have always been very popular, prompting most companies to release special edition packaging for their retail launches that includes some type of statue for consumers to put on display. Bioware, the company responsible for Mass Effect, have partnered with Performance Design Products (PDP) to create some amazing Andromeda collectibles, some of which are included with special editions of the game, and some that are stand alone. Recently, PDP sent over the Nomad ND1 die cast collectors car for us to review, and we love almost every aspect of it!

From PDP and Bioware

Explore the Andromeda Galaxy with the Mass Effect™: Andromeda Collector’s Edition Diecast NOMAD ND1, a highly detailed replica vehicle, perfect for fans of the beloved franchise. Featuring a sturdy diecast metal body and a fully detailed interior with doors that open and close to reveal an illuminated control panel, you’ll get an accurate 1:18 scale reproduction of the NOMAD ND1 presented in Mass Effect™: Andromeda. The pop-up drone adds to the authenticity and the included limited edition SteelBook® case takes this replica to the next level.

As an explorer of uncharted worlds, show off your love of Mass Effect™ in style and marvel at the replica’s stunningly precise design. Officially licensed by BioWare and Electronic Arts, this replica Collector’s Edition Diecast NOMAD ND1 will let you experience the Mass Effect universe in an exciting new way.

Pricey, But Quality

This Nomad ND1 replica will run you a cool 99.99 in the United States from the PDP website but will also be available to purchase from GameStop, Best Buy, Amazon, and the official Bioware Store. While 99.99 might seem steep for a collectible die cast car, we are not talking about your average run-of-the-mill Hot Wheels toy. This thing is huge – 1:18 scale to be exact – and is incredibly detailed. On cheaper video game collectibles, you will often find a number of defects without looking really hard, whether it’s a bit of plastic that isn’t molded correctly or paint that isn’t clean and runs together. Neither of these are a problem on the Nomad ND1, however.

The first sign of quality is the metal build of the vehicle itself. Very few features on the car are materials other than metal – the tires and the antenna come to mind – which is a sure sign that the designers behind this product were thinking quality first. The details are prefect, from the detailed front end to the logos and details all around the vehicle. As you can see from the picture above, everything is finely detailed. I love what PDP has done with this product.

The car is taken to the next level when you pop in three AAA batteries (not included). The batteries will illuminate a number of lights around the vehicle – (front, top, and back), as well as one hidden extra feature. When you lift the Lamborghini style doors on the driver and passenger side of the vehicle, the inside control panel will illuminate to display the vehicles many controls. Since we haven’t had the chance to review Mass Effect: Andromeda, I cannot verify how accurate it is to the in-game vehicle, but knowing what I know about PDP, I would assume it is.

A Few Suggestions

I assume this Nomad ND1 is going to be a limit release, and further productions are probably not going to happen, so the few small gripes I have will likely not ever be changed. While the Nomad ND1 is a quality product – the weight alone feels satisfying when you take it out of the box – there are some fragile parts to it. When you unpack your Nomad for the first time, make sure to look around the box for the small, plastic antenna that should be packaged with your instructions. I almost lost it, as it is really, really small. I would have preferred if the antenna was metal and came pre-attached to the vehicle, and I understand why it was separated for packing and shipping purposes, but I feel like it’s not long before that item gets lost or damaged (bent).

The other issue is the button on the back of the vehicle that pops up the rear satellite dish. It hasn’t caused any problems yet, but I feel like the mechanism could eventually give out from pushing it to many times. Again, this is probably a mute point since – as I have done myself – consumers are likely to find the ideal position for the vehicle, with either the satellite dish in or out, and leave it like that. On top of that, I have pushed the button many times, and while it doesn’t give the most satisfying sound, it hasn’t broken yet!

Conclusion

The Nomad ND1 is a collectible first and a toy second. Sure, if you were incredibly wealthy and allowed your young son or daughter to play Mass Effect, it could become a toy first and foremost. The build quality is sturdy enough to be used in a play time format, but I think the ultimate use of the Nomad – and as the name implies – is as a collectible. I’ve put mine proudly on display on the corner of my desk, with wedges under the wheels to make it look like it’s going over some rocky terrain. It looks great, and I love it. It is definitely worth 99.99 to the most casual and hard-core of Mass Effect fans!