Are you ready to rumble? For over half a century, the clang of plastic fists and the satisfying thwack of a robot head flying off its spring-loaded neck has echoed through playrooms worldwide. We’re diving deep into the world of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, the action-packed game that pits the Red Rocker against the Blue Bomber in a battle of skill, strategy, and sheer, unadulterated fun. We recently got our hands on the 2021 Mattel Games version, and it’s time for a full review that goes beyond just punches and knockouts.
If you caught our previous episode, you witnessed the unboxing and slightly chaotic assembly of this modern iteration. But now, we’re cranking it up a notch. Prepare for a journey into the fascinating history of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, exploring its evolution, some quirky variations, and even some surprising behind-the-scenes stories. Plus, we’ll deliver the latest breaking news that’s set to shake up the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots universe. And, of course, no review would be complete without a head-to-head, best-of-three Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots death match to crown our champion!
So, tighten your gloves and get ready to enter the ring! Ding ding! Let the plastic-on-plastic combat commence!
What Exactly ARE Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots?
Two Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots figures, the Red Rocker and Blue Bomber, peeking out from behind the boxing ring, inviting players to join the action.
For the uninitiated, or perhaps those just arriving on Earth from a distant galaxy, let’s break down the basics of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. This is a two-player boxing game of skill and rapid button-mashing. Players take control of either the Blue Bomber or the Red Rocker, iconic boxing robots poised for battle in a miniature ring. The objective is simple yet incredibly satisfying: deliver a knockout punch – a direct hit to the chin of your opponent’s robot. Land that perfect blow, and your rival robot’s head will spring back and up, dramatically dislodging from its body, signaling a glorious victory. It’s a game of quick reflexes, a touch of strategy, and a whole lot of head-popping fun that has captivated generations.
A Knockout History: The Origins of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots
The story of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots begins with Marvin Glass and Associates, a legendary toy and game design firm established in 1941. These are the masterminds behind a treasure trove of classic toys and games, a list that reads like a nostalgic trip down memory lane: the James Bond 007 toy line from the 60s, the illuminating Lite Brite, the wiggly Inchworm, the gridiron action of Super Sunday Football, the chaotic Ricochet Racers, the chain-reaction Mousetrap, the ever-tumbling Ants in the Pants, the daredevil Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle (which we’ve also reviewed!), the demolition derby fun of Smash Up Derby, the slightly bizarre Hugo Man of A Thousand Faces, the romantic suspense of Mystery Date, the memory-testing SIMON, and the fast-paced Don’t Blow Your Top – and that’s just scratching the surface! Their very first licensed product was the wonderfully wacky Yakitty-Yak Talking Teeth, brought to life by the H. Fishlove Company.
Marvin Glass and Associates remained a powerhouse of toy design until 1988, creating iconic playthings for giants like Fisher Price, Hasbro, Ideal, Kenner, Matchbox, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, and, crucially for our story, Marx Toys. It was Marx Toys that, in 1964, unleashed Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots onto an unsuspecting, but eagerly receptive, world.
A portrait of Marvin Glass, the innovative toy designer behind Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots and numerous other classic games.
Tragedy struck Marvin Glass and Associates in 1974 with the passing of Marvin Glass himself. Anson Issacson took the helm as CEO, but further darkness followed. In a chilling event, Issacson and two other company employees were fatally shot at their Chicago offices by Al Keller, a 33-year-old toy designer who had worked at the company for four years. Keller, deeply disturbed, then took his own life. No clear motive for this horrific act was ever established, casting a somber shadow over the legacy of this creative powerhouse.
Neil Dandy presenting a vintage photo of boxer Davey Moore, highlighting the real-world boxing inspiration and the sensitivity surrounding the toy's development.
But let’s refocus on the star of our show, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. According to historical accounts, the toy drew inspiration from the popular boxing arcade games of the time. Interestingly, Marvin Glass initially halted the project’s development in 1963 due to the tragic death of boxer Davey Moore in the ring, fearing the toy would be seen as insensitive. However, Burt Meyer, Glass’s partner, believed in the boxing toy concept. He ingeniously proposed transforming the boxers into robots, making their defeat less about human injury and more about mechanical mayhem. This crucial shift, dehumanizing the combatants and emphasizing the “knocking blocks off” action, gave birth to the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots we know and love today.
Marx Toys produced the game virtually unchanged for over a decade. In 1977, the Star Wars phenomenon swept the globe, and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots received a timely space-themed makeover to capitalize on the craze. In 2000, toy industry giant Mattel Games took over production, ensuring this classic toy continues to delight new generations.
Versions Galore: Exploring the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots Universe
Neil Dandy showcasing a miniature, discount store version of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, emphasizing the toy's wide range of iterations across different price points.
Given its impressive lifespan of nearly 60 years, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots has seen a multitude of variations. Beyond the standard boxing ring setup, there have been versions where the robots stand on individual platforms, expanding the play possibilities. A standout for many collectors is the Batman vs. Superman edition, pitting DC Comics icons against each other in robotic combat. Discount store mini-versions also exist, though often with simpler mechanics, sometimes featuring heads that merely flop back rather than dramatically pop off. In the UK during the 1970s, the game was marketed under the catchy moniker “Raving Bonkers.” Another notable variant is the Transformers version, featuring iconic Autobot and Decepticon leaders Optimus Prime and Megatron locked in battle.
Neil Dandy presenting the Transformers-themed Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, highlighting the crossover appeal of combining iconic brands.
Attempts have been made to translate the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots experience into video games, but these digital iterations have largely failed to capture the tactile thrill and head-to-head excitement of the physical toy. For now, the classic plastic ring remains the definitive battleground.
Death Match Mania: The Dandy Fun House Championship Bout!
A graphic announcing the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots "Jerky Jam" death match, adding a playful and competitive element to the review.
What’s a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots review without a real, live, head-popping showdown? To put this iconic toy to the ultimate test, we organized a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots death match! We enlisted a couple of willing participants from a local business networking group, incentivizing them with a coveted prize: a pack of delicious beef jerky and a 30-second promotional spot for their businesses. The stage was set for a best-of-three rounds battle for the title of Dandy Fun House Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots Champion of 2021!
Introducing our contenders:
Blaine Little of Momentum Seminars is pictured with the Blue Bomber robot, ready to engage in the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots death match.
Blaine Little of Momentum Seminars http://www.momentumseminars.com wielding the Blue Bomber!
vs.
Jeremy Ford of Curb Appeal Softwash https://curbappealsoftwashllc.com commanding the Red Rocker!
A close-up shot of the Blue Bomber robot with its head knocked off, mid-match, illustrating the knockout action of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.
The match began with furious button mashing as Blaine and Jeremy went head-to-head. However, for several minutes, neither robot could land a knockout blow. Frustration mounted until a helpful observer pointed out a crucial flaw in their technique: both players were applying downward pressure on their controllers. This subtle action was lifting the robots slightly off their bases, just enough to prevent clean chin shots and knockouts. Posture corrected, the battle resumed! Within seconds, the Red Rocker connected with a decisive chin blow, sending the Blue Bomber’s head flying. Red Rocker took round one!
Another shot of the Blue Bomber robot after being knocked out a second time, emphasizing the Red Rocker's dominance in the death match.
Heads re-attached, round two was an intense flurry of plastic punches. The air crackled with the clickety-clack of the robot fists. But once again, the Red Rocker gained the upper hand, unleashing a rapid series of uppercuts that landed squarely on the Blue Bomber’s chin. Pop! Blue Bomber’s head launched skyward. Red Rocker secured the second round, and with it, victory in the death match! Jeremy Ford, champion of the Dandy Fun House Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots tournament, claimed the beef jerky prize and bragging rights!
Jeremy Ford, winner of the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots death match, poses in victory with the Red Rocker robot, celebrating his championship.
*****
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*****
Breaking News: Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots Headed to the Big Screen!
Remember the breaking news we teased? It’s finally here and it’s HUGE!
Neil Dandy presenting a graphic featuring Vin Diesel alongside Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots imagery, announcing the upcoming movie adaptation.
Universal Pictures and Mattel Films are joining forces to bring Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots to the silver screen! Action movie megastar Vin Diesel is attached to star and produce through his One Race Films production company. The screenplay is penned by Ryan Engel, known for his work on the movie “Rampage.” Details are scarce, but the plot reportedly centers on a father and son (presumably Diesel as the father) forging an unexpected bond with an advanced war machine. As of now, there’s no release date, casting announcements, or production start date, as Vin Diesel is likely busy with commitments to projects like Guardians of the Galaxy 3 and the seemingly endless Fast and Furious franchise.
While a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots movie might sound… unexpected, we’re keeping an open mind. However, a certain robotic transforming movie franchise does come to mind (insert David Spade-esque smirk here). Regardless of potential comparisons, we will be front and center when this movie hits theaters!
Neil Dandy presenting a humorous graphic of David Spade smirking, making a playful jab at the concept of a Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots movie and its potential similarities to Transformers.
Final Round: The Enduring Appeal of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots
Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots remains a knockout in the modern age, proving its timeless appeal. While we lament not having an original Marx Toys version for a side-by-side comparison, rumors suggest the current Mattel version is slightly smaller than its vintage counterpart. Regardless, the 2021 edition is well-constructed, comfortably sized, and delivers the same addictive, head-popping fun that made the original a classic. In our book, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots is still a resounding hit, guaranteed to knock your block off! We give it a solid two iron fists up!
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That’s all for this episode of the Dandy Fun House, where everything is always… FUN AND DANDY!
Neil Dandy is the creator of The Dandy Fun House and the alter-ego of Neil Smith, the Big Cheese at Neil Smith Entertainment and Productions, musician, DJ, Emcee and author. Aren’t you impressed?
