View source for BattleBots (partially lost build of unreleased GameCube/PlayStation 2 game based on robot combat TV series; 2003)

{{InfoboxFound
|title=<center>BattleBots</center>
|image=BattleBots UScoverart.png
|imagecaption=GameCube cover art.
|status=<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> (Gamecube Prototype)<br><span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> (PS2 build)
|datefound=06 May 2022 (Gamecube Prototype)
|foundby=Gatorbox (Gamecube Prototype)
}}
'''''BattleBots''''' was a video game based on the robot combat television show ''BattleBots''. It was developed by Warthog Games and was set to be published by THQ for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in 2003 prior to cancellation.

==Development==
On November 19th, 2001, it was announced that THQ had secured the licence to publish ''BattleBots'' games. Development for a GameCube and PlayStation 2 title had already started, with plans for future Xbox and PC games.<ref>[https://gamespot.com/articles/thq-secures-battlebots-license/1100-2825836/?utm_source=gamefaqs&utm_medium=partner&utm_content=news_module&utm_campaign=gamespace_news ''GameSpot'' reporting on THQ securing the ''BattleBots'' licence, detailing game development plans.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref> ''BattleBots'' was first showcased by THQ at E3 2002.<ref>[http://tmstation.scei.co.jp/ps2/public/Newsletter0006_2/index_e.html ''TM Station'' noting ''BattleBots'' was showcased at E3 2002.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref><ref>[https://digitpress.com/images/e32k2/larry/index.htm ''Digital Press'' providing a photo of ''BattleBots'' at E3 2002.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref> According to ''Nintendo World Report'', there was a playable GameCube demo containing around five robots to battle, within a single bridge arena. Based on this article, the game would feature 80 robots, 40 of which would be from the TV show. It also featured basic and advanced control configurations, and plans were made to have a four-player mode.<ref>[http://nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/2916/battlebots-gamecube ''Nintendo World Report'' reporting on the ''BattleBots'' demo at E3 2002.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref> 

''IGN'' listed other details, including 20 arenas being added to the game, and three different game modes; these were Simulation Mode which emulated the TV series' tournament structure and arenas; Arcade Mode, where one could freely choose robots they created or from the show and compete in arenas with power-ups added; and Multi-player Mode.<ref>[https://ign.com/articles/2002/09/05/battlebots ''IGN'' reporting on details regarding ''BattleBots''.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref> The game would also be showcased at Gen Con 2002, with ''GameSpot'' reviewers detailing the GameCube demo, and noting that the game would allow for the camera to be switched to a "robot's eye" view during a fight.<ref>[https://gamespot.com/articles/gen-con-2002battlebots-hands-on/1100-6023304/?utm_source=gamefaqs&utm_medium=partner&utm_content=news_module&utm_campaign=gamespace_news ''GameSpot'' detailing the ''BattleBots'' demo at Gen Con 2002.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref> 

The game was first announced on the official ''BattleBots'' website on September 12th, 2002, with an expected release date in November 2002.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021004184030/http://battlebots.com/news_home.asp#news112 Archive of the official site announcing the game.] Retrieved 21 Nov '15</ref> However, the game was then postponed until early February 2003,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030213024520/http://battlebots.com/store/store_search_results.asp?ID=9 Archive of the site announcing the first delay.] Retrieved 21 Nov '15</ref> before being delayed once again to May 2003.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030413050652/http://battlebots.com/store/store_search_results.asp?ID=9 Archive of the site announcing the second delay.] Retrieved 21 Nov '15</ref> After that, there were no more mentions of the game on the website. According to the February 2018 issue of Retro Gamer, THQ suddenly decided to end the project, despite the game reaching "an advanced stage of development".<ref>[https://pressreader.com/uk/retro-gamer/20180222/281651075574034 February 2018 issue of ''Retro Gamer'' noting that ''BattleBots'' was cancelled at an advanced stage of development by THQ.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref> This most likely stemmed from the announcement that Comedy Central had decided not to renew the show for another season in September 2002,<ref>[https://sbnation.com/longform/2013/6/18/4438250/battlebots-robot-wars-combat-oral-history ''SB Nation'' noting ''BattleBots'' was not renewed in September 2002 by Comedy Central, likely being a major catalyst for the game's cancellation.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref> and because of a slow improvement in fixing bugs and issues during development.<ref>[https://reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/ii6xfn/about_the_battlebots_ps2_port/g3rbfsu&context=3 A Reddit post, with comments from a user who was part of THQ's quality assurance team explaining about game testing.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref>

==Availability==
While the game went unreleased, prototypes of the game were made and sold on the official website for $150<ref>[http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/is-there-a-working-copy-of-the-battlebots-game.54347/ AssemblerGames thread on the game.] Retrieved 21 Nov '15</ref> and again for $299.98, with seemingly only one copy for sale.<ref>[http://store.battlebots.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=154_156&product_id=240%7C Official store page for the game.] Retrieved 21 Nov '15</ref> In May 2015, Team Nightmare Combat Robots were actually able to play the GameCube version. A screenshot exists of the aftermath, where hotel security caught them playing it on the hotel lobby's television.<ref>[https://facebook.com/photo/?fbid=922181194494848&set=that-would-be-donald-hutson-of-mutant-robots-getting-busted-by-hotel-security-fo A photo of the hotel event.] Retrieved 15 Oct '21</ref> Despite all of these events, no build of the game, in demo or complete form, has ever been publicly released. YouTuber "Gatorbox" had also owned a GameCube build of the game, but it was never publicly released due to a copyright dispute.<ref>[http://gator.co/secretstash/ The Gatorbox Secret Stash, where the GameCube build of the game is mentioned in "Unavailable" section.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref>

Nevertheless, a video was uploaded to YouTube showcasing gameplay footage. Additionally, many screenshots of the game and its concept art were made public in 2017 by Gary Switzer<ref>[https://artstation.com/artwork/AbNDW List of screenshots and concept art provided by Gary Switzer.] Retrieved 11 Nov '21</ref> and Merlyn Lear.<ref>[http://merlynlear.com/web_gallery3d/gallery3d_01_battlebots01.html Robot and stage render provided by Merlyn Lear.] Retrieved 14 Dec '21</ref>

On Christmas Day 2021 the Twitch/YouTube channel Gatorbox uploaded a two-and-a-half-hour gameplay video of the prototype showing off numerous parts of the game and some of the bugs that cause it to crash.<ref>[https://youtu.be/QRUXsibkJBs "BattleBots (Gamecube Prototype)" by Gatorbox] Retrieved 25 Dec '21</ref> Draco, the host of the channel, stated that he is in possession of the prototype but is not at any liberty (or ability) to release it, but assured viewers that he had made multiple personal archives of it to prevent it from truly becoming "lost". Five months later, however, he uploaded the prototype to the Internet Archive on May 6th, 2022.<ref>https://archive.org/details/battlebots-gc-prototype</ref> The Playstation 2 version of the game still remains lost.

==Gallery==
===Video===
{{Video|perrow  =2
  |service1     =youtube
  |id1          =F5Hqnuo6u3s
  |description1 =Gameplay footage of ''BattleBots''.
  |service2     =youtube
  |id2          =PCLuzKKBG7A
  |description2 =Promo of ''BattleBots'' franchise, including gameplay footage at 2:50-2:58.
}}

===Images===
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px>
Battlebotsgame2.jpg|Sunshine Lolibot (Sunshine L) vs Mouser Super Mecha Catbot (Mouser Cat).
Battlebotsgame3.jpg|Fang vs Junkyard Dog in a Terminal Arena.
Battlebotsgame57.jpg|Sunshine Lolibot vs Backlash in a fictional arena.
Battlebotsgame56.jpg|Sunshine Lolibot in an Aircraft Carrier Arena.
Battlebotsgame4.jpg|Sunshine Lolibot vs Backlash in an Aircraft Carrier Arena. 
Battlebotsgame5.jpg|Robot select screen.
Battlebotsgame6.jpg|Robot select screen.
Battlebotsgame7.jpg|Applying logos in the robot workshop.
Battlebotsgame8.jpg|Arena select screen, selecting Battlebox.
Battlebotsgame9.jpg|Toe-Crusher vs Atomic Monkey.
Battlebotsgame10.jpg|BioHazard vs Atomic Monkey.
Battlebotsgame11.jpg|Deadblow vs Fang in a Dock Arena.
Battlebotsgame33.jpg|Diesector vs Toro.
Battlebotsgame34.jpg|Deadblow vs Hazard.
Battlebotsgame36.jpg|Backlash vs Herr Gepoünden (Herr Gepou).
Battlebotsgame35.jpg|Junkyard Dog (Junkyard D) vs Backlash.
Battlebotsgame37.jpg|Mouser Super Mecha Catbot (Mouser Sup) vs Garm.
Battlebotsgame38.jpg|Mouser Super Mecha Catbot (Mouser Sup) vs Garm.
Battlebotsgame39.jpg|Mouser Super Mecha Catbot (Mouser Sup) vs Garm.
Battlebotsgame40.jpg|Backlash vs Junkyard Dog 2.0.
Battlebotsgame41.jpg|Backlash vs Junkyard Dog 2.0.
Battlebotsgame42.jpg|El Diablo Grande vs Fang.
Battlebotsgame43.jpg|Killer Kitten vs Junkyard Dog 2.0.
Battlebotsgame44.jpg|Backlash vs Junkyard Dog 2.0.
Battlebotsgame52.jpg|SABotage vs IceCube.
Battlebotsgame53.jpg|Fang vs Herr Gepoünden (Herr Gepou).
Battlebotsgame54.jpg|"Robot's eye" view of Garm.
Battlebotsgame55.jpg|El Diablo in Battlebox.
Battlebotsgame58.jpg|Blade Runner vs Backlash in a Terminal Arena.
Battlebotsgame59.jpg|Gamma Raptor vs Backlash in an Aircraft Carrier Arena.
Battlebotsgame60.jpg|Mouser Super Mecha Catbot vs Backlash.
Battlebotsgame61.jpg|Herr Gepoünden vs Backlash.
Battlebotsgame62.jpg|Herr Gepoünden vs Backlash.
Battlebotsgame63.jpg|Little Sister vs El Diablo Grande.
Battlebotsgame64.jpg|OverKill vs FrostBite.
Battlebotsgame65.jpg|T-Minus vs Blade Runner.
Battlebotsgame66.jpg|Backlash vs SnowFlake.
Battlebotsgame67.jpg|El Diablo vs SABogate.
Battlebotsgame68.jpg|El Diablo vs SABogate.
Battlebotsgame12.jpg|Diesector.
Battlebotsgame13.jpg|El Diablo Grande.
Battlebotsgame14.jpg|Techno Destructo.
Battlebotsgame15.jpg|BioHazard.
Battlebotsgame16.jpg|IceBerg.
Battlebotsgame17.jpg|KillerHurtz.
Battlebotsgame18.jpg|Little Sister.
Battlebotsgame19.jpg|DooAll.
Battlebotsgame20.jpg|Mauler.
Battlebotsgame21.jpg|FrostBite.
Battlebotsgame22.jpg|Mecha Tentoumushi.
Battlebotsgame23.jpg|Minion.
Battlebotsgame24.jpg|Nightmare.
Battlebotsgame25.jpg|Overkill.
Battlebotsgame26.jpg|Rammstein.
Battlebotsgame27.jpg|MechaVore.
Battlebotsgame28.jpg|Toro.
Battlebotsgame29.jpg|Vlad The Impaler.
Battlebotsgame30.jpg|Ronin.
Battlebotsgame45.jpg|Herr Gepoünden, Gamma Raptor, IceCube, and SABogate.
Battlebotsgame46.jpg|Shrike, SnowFlake, Sunshine Lolibot, and T-Minus.
Battlebotsgame47.jpg|Backlash, Blade Runner, Ziggo, and Toe-Crusher.
Battlebotsgame48.jpg|Fang, Mouser Super Mecha Catbot, Deadblow, and Garm.
Battlebotsgame49.jpg|El Diablo, Junkyard Dog, Hazard, and Complete Control.
Battlebotsgame50.jpg|Aircraft Carrier Arena and Terminal Arena.
Battlebotsgame51.jpg|Beach Arena and Dock Arena.
Battlebotsgame31.jpg|''BattleBots'' at E3 2002.
Battlebotsgame32.jpg|Poster for the game.
</gallery>

==See Also==
*[[1995 Robot Wars UK Open (partially found rejected robot combat TV show pilot; 1995)]]
*[[American Robot Wars 2000 (lost MTV pilot of British robot combat game show; 2000)]]
*[[BattleBots (found Comedy Central robot combat game show; 2000-2002)]]
*[[BattleBots Collegiate Championship (partially lost unaired spinoff of robot combat TV show; 2009)]]
*[[Mechanoids (partially found BBC robot combat game show; 2003)]]
*[[Plunderbirds: Talk Robots (partially found unfinished robot combat mockumentary film; 2019)]]
*[[Robot Wars (found cameos of robot combat-themed BBC 2 ident; 1999-2000)]]
*[[Robot Wars (lost footage and HSE documentation of behind-the-scenes accidents of BBC robot combat game show; 1998-1999)]]
*[[Robot Wars (lost near-death footage of Jeremy Clarkson from robot combat game show; 1998)]]
*[[Robot Wars (lost work on unfinished cartoon series based on robot combat game show; existence unconfirmed; 2002-2004)]]
*[[Robot Wars (partially found footage of robot combat show qualifying auditions and battles; 1998-2003)]]
*[[Robot Wars (partially found unaired or partially aired battles of BBC robot combat game show; 1998-2017)]]
*[[Robot Wars (partially found uncut battles from BBC robot combat game show; 1998-2017)]]
*[[Robot Wars Extreme: Series 1 (lost original BBC Choice version of robot combat battle; 2001)]]
*[[Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors: Season 1 (found TNN robot combat game show; 2001)]]
*[[Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors: Season 2 (partially found behind-the-scenes footage of TNN robot combat game show; 2002)]]
*[[Robot Wars Revealed (partially found BBC Choice spin-off of robot combat game show; 1998-2000)]]
*[[Robot Wars: Series 8 (lost unaired pilot of BBC robot combat game show; 2016)]]
*[[Robot Wars: Series 8 (partially found Science Channel reruns of robot combat game show; 2018)]]
*[[Robot Wars: The Kick-Off (lost BNN robot combat special; 2001)]]
*[[Robotica (found TLC robot combat game show; 2001-2003)]]
*[[Robots Revenge (partially found Discovery robot combat documentary series; 2001)]]
*[[Why Hypno-Disc can't work in an office (found testing video of Robot Wars competitor; 2000, 2007)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Lost video games]]
[[Category:Found media]]
[[Category:Found video games]]
[[Category:Partially lost media]]