See more TV reviews

RollBots (CW)

common sense media says

Robotic balls roll, race, and battle evil in so-so 'toon.

parents & educators say
Be the first to review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated cop series for kids doesn't have any sex, drinking/smoking, or swearing, but there’s plenty of fighting and many chase scenes. The main characters are all robotic balls that can turn into spheres and quickly roll everywhere -- but when they stop, their arms, legs, and heads pop out, making them seem vaguely human. Young fans may also ask for RollBots merchandise.

Educational value: The show is intended to entertain, not educate.
Positive messages: There's a clear delineation between the "good guys" and the "bad guys": The evil RollBots may occasionally pull off a successful heist, but the dedicated officers of the Flip City Police Department will never rest until they've tracked them down.
Positive role models: Spin, the main RollBot character, is daring, brave, and plucky. He's always eager to dive in to help, even when older and more experienced cops say he’s too green. The cops work together to effectively foil the criminals’ nefarious schemes.
Violence & scariness: A fair number of animated fight scenes -- though none of it seems too intense, since the combatants are anthropomorphic rolling balls.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Plenty of RollBots merchandise is available.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on RollBots

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about why the characters were given human-like traits. Do you think kids find it easier to identify with characters that seem more like people? Can you think of any TV characters that appear completely non-human?
  • Does the show's animated action/violence seem less serious because the characters aren't actually human?
  • The residents of Flip City are divided into several tribes, whose members generally work in a single field. Do you think people should be born into a specific career path? What can that lead to?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Flip (voiced by Sam Vincent) is the newest member of the Spin City Police Department -- and the fastest of all the ROLLBOTS in town. These rolling robotic spheres zip and flip down the city’s track-like streets, sprouting arms, legs, and heads when they're at rest. Excited, eager, and energetic, Flip makes up for his lack of experience with enough bravery and enthusiasm to give him an edge when he takes on the evil Vertex (Colin Murdock) and his henchmen.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

It’s the rolling ball characters that are supposed to make RollBots unique, and watching these spheres with faces zipping across the screen is certainly something that doesn’t appear on any other kids’ show. But it’s tough to make a series about robots that frankly look a lot like marbles speeding down a track -- not exactly the kind of characters with which young viewers will identify. They seem more appealing when their arms and legs pop out, but those scenes lack the action that carries the program.

As a result, the show seems to have two distinct personalities: one fast-moving but very mechanized and the other with appealing robotic characters that lacks action. It might be confusing for kids to keep track.

TV themes & details

Themes
adventures, robots
TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: CW
Cast: Colin Murdock, Gary Chalk, Sam Vincent
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: CW
This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

Review It

 

Review RollBots

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see RollBots?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Better 'toons about robots and racing
For kids who love sci-fi
Browse more TV
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines