Robot Wars

Teams of amateur robot fighting enthusiasts battle it out over a series of rounds in a huge purpose-built arena aiming to become the Robot Wars Champion.

Robot Wars (1998-2004) is a British robot combat competition series created by Marc Thorpe for BBC Two. Teams of amateur robot builders bring homemade machines into a huge purpose-built arena, where each machine must survive a series of rounds against rival robots and the arena's hazards in pursuit of the title of Robot Wars Champion. Presenter Craig Charles and Jayne Middlemiss host the action, with Philippa Forrester and Jonathan Pearce providing commentary, while judge Martin Smith and referee Noel Sharkey keep the bouts fair. Across seven seasons and roughly 120 episodes, the show runs as a case-of-the-week tournament, each episode a fresh round of brutal mechanical clashes. The engine is simple: a clever build, a sharp driver, and nerve under pressure. The tone is breezy and gleefully energetic, with a crowd-pleasing spectacle of sparks, crushing claws and flipping chassis. It is a family-friendly reality competition that rewards gadget enthusiasm, and fans of BattleBots, Top Gear and The Apprentice will find resonance in its tournament structure and hands-on competitive joy.

• BattleBotsamateur competitors, engineering build tension, arena elimination format, reality competition
• Top Gearreality competition with contestant builds and arena spectacle
• The Apprenticereality competition with tournament rounds and a crowned champion

Created by

Marc Thorpe

Release Date

1998-01-02

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

7.3 / 10 (24)

What is Robot Wars about?

Amateur robot builders pit homemade machines against one another in a huge purpose-built arena in pursuit of the Robot Wars Champion title.

What is Robot Wars like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Robot Wars as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.

Is Robot Wars violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Robot Wars as mild.

Which shows are like Robot Wars?

Shows with a similar feel include BattleBots, Top Gear, and The Apprentice.

How long is Robot Wars?

Robot Wars: 7 seasons, 120 episodes.

Is Robot Wars still running?

No, Robot Wars has ended.