Battroborg updates Rock'em Sock'em Robots for the Wii generation, we go hands-on
When Battroborg
hit shelves in Japan last June we were, admittedly, a tad jealous.
Where were our tiny, motion controlled boxing bots? Well, if you can be
just a bit more patient, the vicious little toys should be landing
stateside in time for Christmas.
... beyond the obvious Wii and Rock'em Sock'em Robots comparisons, what's it like piloting these puny pugilists through battle?
... beyond the obvious Wii and Rock'em Sock'em Robots comparisons, what's it like piloting these puny pugilists through battle?
When Tomy rep, Jamie Kieffer, took out the Battroborgs we were
immediately struck by how small they were. ... at about two or three inches
tall, they're damn-near pocketable, which was a tad unexpected, we'd say they were cute.
Their exceptionally light plastic bodies have two arms with joints at the elbow and shoulder, which allow them to throw straight rights and jabs.
We also discovered, accidentally, that if you pop the elbow joint out of place you can "teach" the little guys to throw a hook.
...accelerometers that translate your furious flurries into robot rights and lefts.
Operation is pretty simple.
Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/25/battroborg-updates-rockem-sockem-robots-for-the-wii-generation/
Their exceptionally light plastic bodies have two arms with joints at the elbow and shoulder, which allow them to throw straight rights and jabs.
We also discovered, accidentally, that if you pop the elbow joint out of place you can "teach" the little guys to throw a hook.
...accelerometers that translate your furious flurries into robot rights and lefts.
Operation is pretty simple.
Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/25/battroborg-updates-rockem-sockem-robots-for-the-wii-generation/
With Battroborgs, you punch using hand-held radio controllers.
By ROY FURCHGOTT
Forget the Punching Bag, Try the Robots
By ROY FURCHGOTT
Battroborgs, an electronic update of the old Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
toy, are a lot of fun, and hardly need the hype that the marketing team
for the toy has thrown at it.
The advertising, Web site,
and the free Battroborg Trainer app show animations that variously make
the Battroborgs look as if they shoot sparks, use martial arts moves
and have light-up eyes. They don’t.
They do two things: Throw a punch
with the left, and throw a punch with the right.
And that’s plenty enough to have fun.
You punch using hand-held radio controllers. Hold one in each hand, and
when you throw a punch, the Battroborg does too. Alternating lefts and
rights move the robot forward. Throwing repeated punches with one arm
turns the Battroborg. It can take a little bit of practice just to get
them in fighting proximity.
The toy also comes with a “fight arena,” something like a boxing ring,
which can be set up so the ropes restrict the toys to advancing toward
each other, a help to wee ones impatient to get to the punching.
When a Battroborg takes a punch, a light on its backpack signals the
level of damage until blinking red signals it’s game over and shuts down
the Battroborg.
There is also a single-play mode, “Auto Drone,” that lets you play against a Battroborg throwing automated punches.
Some of the marketing hype is in good fun. The head of the Battroborg,
where you aim your punches, is referred to invariably as the
“Neurocranial-Optic Visor.” The on/off switch is on the “Triton
Processor.” Cardboard cutouts you can practice punching with are
“Training Drones.”
The toy kept two adults entertained for a good 15 minutes, which would
have been longer except for looming deadlines — and the fact that the
batteries need a recharge at about 20 minutes. A full recharge also
takes about 20 minutes.
The Battroborg play set is $80 with the arena and two Battroborgs. Additional Battroborgs are $35.
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