Posted in: Games, Review, Toys | Tagged: batbot, Batbot Xtreme, Batman, dc comics, Fisher-Price, HRL, imaginext

We're Going to Need a Bigger Bot: We Review the Batbot Xtreme

Published Sun, 03 Dec 2017 02:45:24 -0600

Last updated Sun, 03 Dec 2017 10:51:03 -0600

Back at New York Comic Con, we got to check out and play with this Batbot toy you see below. At the time I was stoked to see this kind of toy being produced, but I was curious how it would handle as a practical playtime toy outside the convention floor where fans were adoring it. Last month, Fisher-Price and Imaginext sent us a copy, and after a lot of "study", we got a review for it.

This giant mechanized version of Batman is one you've seen off and on in various little incarnations throughout DC comic book properties and animated features, but this is the first time it's been made out to be a fully functional toy. The design of it reminds me of '80s playset designs where the characters could interact with a castle and boulders would roll out or the drawbridge would come down. Employing the same tactics, much of the suit is operated by using this small Batman figure, as you can place him on several red pedestals and turn him to activate parts of the suit (or just switch it, as there's a small lever to twist with your thumb).

Looking at the suit piece by piece, the first item we have are these rather obvious projectile torpedoes sitting on either shoulder. The three red buttons on top fire the three they're linked to, but the two below them are simply for storage and to reload so you don't instantly run out. They go about four to seven feet, depending on how hard you hit the button. The plastic isn't that hard so it won't hurt anyone, but it could present a choking hazard to smaller kids. Basically, it's like having a small Nerf gun without the foam.

Next is the chest, which opens up to reveal a small elevator where you can take Batman to the top and have him sit inside the head. There really isn't much to this section as it just serves as a place to put Batman. It pops open from one of the red dials and then you just shut it with your hands.

On Batbot's left foot is another dial, which opens up to be a secret compartment for a motorcycle. Much in the vein of Evel Knievel toys, once the door opens up, the bike shoots out and is launched across the floor while acting like a real bike. This works both with and without Batman attached to it, and is really awesome to watch him come out as if he's taking the crimefighting back to the streets.

On the back of the suit are a couple electronic options. If you load in three AA batteries, you can turn on sound effects and some lighting on the front whenever any of the devices are activated, but you can also use the red button op near the right shoulder to use the voice distorter. Much like how Batman in films disguises his voice with a piece of electronic trickery, you can speak into those four small holes on the left as a microphone and talk like Batman out the front. Its kind of cool, but there are times where it isn't loud enough to show off the full effect.

The best part for me that will make or break this for adults to buy are the arms. There are a pair of arms that can be popped out using another red dial, which will unfold to show off a pair of Batman wings and jet out two robotic fists. These fists are controlled by a couple of handles behind the wings that jet out in a punching motion and shoot these yellow discs you see on the fist itself. These things barely come out and hit anything, but they could do some damage if you're up close and not paying attention.

Overall, this is a mighty impressive toy! This is the kind of thing I would have killed for back when I was first getting into Batman. It's basically like having a mobile Batcave. The only major drawbacks are that it stands in one spot (so you have to lift him up and carry him around; no pretend-walking with the legs), and there are few additional sets to pair this with. This comes from their DC SuperFriends line, which at the moment is made up of all Batman stuff, but none of it really interacts with the Batbot. So if you're buying this, you're most likely getting it as a standalone toy or to add to that collection. Either way, it's really fun to play with and kids will get a kick out of using all the functions.