The emerging sport of robotic combat seen on Comedy Central's Battlebots series features radio-controlled robots weighing up to 488 pounds dueling with an array of weaponry that includes hammers, saws, spikes, and pikes.  These mechanical gladiators have inspired toy lines from two different companies.  The Tiger Electronics division of toy giant Hasbro is producing radio controlled versions of some of the fan favorite Batttlebots including 'Overkill' and 'Vlad the Impaler.'  Look for a new brand of radio-controlled fun to be available in the fall of 2001 from Tiger, though the toy versions of the Battlebots will be considerably less lethal than the bots that inspired them  These radio controlled toys should range in price from $15 to $30.

 

The other company producing licensed Battlebot toys--Jakks Pacific--is no stranger to combat and mayhem since they produce the WWF action figures.  Jakks 'Road Champs' line for 2001 will include wind-up and pull-back toys inspired by the real Battlebot contenders and winners.  These toys as well should be available in the fall of 2001.

 

The growing success of the Comedy Central show, which has spawned pay-per-view events as well as these toy lines, has all the earmarks of a trend in the making.  By eliminating the human (or should we say 'organic') factor, Battlebots have made gladiatorial combat acceptable in modern society.  Some of the Battlebot bouts are as vicious as anything this side of a cockfight -- and Battlebots are legal.