Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots was an American boxing game for two players. Two plastic robots, the Red Rocker and the Blue Bomber, in red and blue plastic, do battle in a yellow plastic boxing ring. They were able to slide about the ring, and their arms were controlled by plungers at the side of the arena. The aim of the game is to knock your opponent's block off, or at least make his head pop up. I have never played the game myself.
It was first sold by Louis Marx & Co. in 1964. According to Wikipedia the game was called Raving Bonkers in Britain - what a totally daft name. I did find a photo on Pinterest which shows a game carrying this name. A smaller version of the game is still made today by Mattel.
Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots - Wikipedia
Mattel released a robot/car hybrid called Zombot as part of the 1987 Hot Wheels line. Oddly, the robot was lying down on the car chassis, but could also stand upright. It carried a blaster rifle across its chest, which seems to have been a separate part. In 2018 (copyright date 2017) a new version was released that was very similar to the old model, but with a more solid, less open chassis, and the rifle now forming part of the separate chest moulding.
The 2021 Hot Wheels line includes a sub-series of five models devoted to Mattel Games. Model number three in this series depicts RESER, and uses a modified version of Zombot. It has a different chest piece, without the rifle, and much shorter forearms. The centre of the chest carries the RESER and Hot Wheels logos. The copyright date on the base has been revised, and now reads © 2017,'20, along with the Zombot name, and Made in Malaysia.
The RESER Zombot has been released in two versions. Both have a yellow metal chassis, matching the colour of the original boxing ring. The plastic robot is either red or blue, with extensive cream detail printing, and black eye slits in the helmet. The red version came out first, followed by his opponent in blue.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
This is a strange concept for HW, the robots don't look that good lead down do they!
ReplyDeleteNo, it looks as though they are having a nap, which just seems a bit sedate for fighting robots.
ReplyDeleteI had Rock Em Sock Em Robots when I was a kid. A classic toy Paul.
ReplyDelete