This toy appears to be the updated version of the old battle
bots. If you have seen the Toy Story
movie, you will recall them. This seems
like a good idea however the execution is very weak. The descriptions say there is an instruction
sheet, there were NO instruction sheets nor were the visuals on the box much
help. It was easy to figure out where
the eight batteries were to be installed.
The robots need to be charged by connecting them to the remote which
holds the batteries. They claim a 20
minute quick charge for 20 minutes of play.
They did charge in 20 minutes.
Play is a different matter. I am
guessing there is a color code that tells you something based on the changing
color led that is on each robot. Since
there were no instructions I have no idea what the led color changes mean. The one robot stopped working and had to be
turned off and then back on to get it to work again. I don’t know if that is what happens when it
takes too many hits to the head or if it is defective.
After going to the web site things became clearer. The color codes and battle modes were
explained as well as the reset mode.
While the web site is fine and explains all the things that were
inexplicable prior to visiting the web site, I don’t feel requiring Internet
access to use a toy is a good idea. The
toy should have an instruction sheet and visiting a web site to watch videos on
how to use it seems overly complex. I
think the age range of 6 to 15 years is a stretch. It is going to be too complex for the bottom
of the age range and too boring for the top.
My overall impression is that the toy needs to be simplified, there
needs to be better quality control to insure there is an instruction sheet in
each box and there should be a docking station or wall charger. I know my grandkids would be frustrated with
a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off toy. Of
course that assumes that it would capture their interest and I think that might
be an overly optimistic assumption.
If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.
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