Best Games That Let You Build Robots

From playing with Lego as a child to watching Robot Wars on TV, many people grow up dreaming of building robots, either to battle it out or even to improve their lives. Video games have become the perfect tool for realizing these fantasies, with titles of all different genres giving players the chance to design, customize, and battle their robot creations.

From strategy and action games to simulators and puzzle games, there is a wide array of titles to choose from, and some will appeal to adults, children, and everyone in between. If players have a passion for building their robots, there is certainly a game out there for them.

Updated on March 12, 2024, by Andy Chapman: Video games that allow players to design and create robots encompass many varied genres. From strategy-based mech shooters to physics-based simulations, robot creation has grown to a point where games can even be educational tools. Many of the creation mechanics within the games are so detailed that they can teach a basic understanding of real-world robotics. Of course, not every game is this complex, with many offering simple yet fun robot creation that has a greater emphasis on gameplay over mechanics. This article has been updated with four additional entries to feature a wider range of games that showcase robot creation.

14 Robo Pit

Large Selection Of Weapon Choices And Fighting Styles

• Platforms: PlayStation, Sega Saturn
• Released: 1996
• Developers: Altron
• Genre: Fighting

Robo Pit is a Japanese fighting game where players can create unique robots to battle it out in various arenas. The goal of the game is to fight to the top of each arena, defeating every opponent to progress to the next level. The game featured several boss battles and unlockable weapon options that would become available through winning battles.

Robo Pit was released to mixed reviews, with many critics finding the one-player mode too easy. However, the game finds its footing in the two-player mode, offering a superior experience. The game also shines in its robot creation, with various weapon choices and fun gameplay.

13 Robocraft

Create Versatile And Powerful Robotic Vehicles

Robocraft is a free-to-play robot-building action game that allows players to create their own weaponized vehicles and battle them out over a range of terrain and modes. These robotic vehicles can be made to fly, hover, or drive, giving players free rein over their style of play.

Although a little past its prime days, Robocraft will still appeal to anyone with a love for building customizable robots with a lot of firepower.

12 LogicBots

A Deep Creation System For Learning Robotics

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
• Released: 2017
• Developers: Incandescent Games
• Genre: Simulation

The indie simulation game, LogicBots, allows players to design and build their very own robots, with endless combinations of circuits and parts. The game revolves around the player creating unique robots to solve various puzzles over 40 different levels.

For players interested in comprehensive robot design, this is an ideal starting point. However, with its deep creation system and physics-driven gameplay, Logicbots could potentially be too complex for those looking for a more casual experience.

11 TerraTech

A Fun Combat Game That Values Creativity.

TerraTech is a construction sandbox action game that pits players’ robot vehicles against each other across various terrains. With an emphasis on construction, this game will test players’ creativity in producing the best vehicles to bring the maximum amount of damage.

TerraTech is ideal for gamers of all age ranges and, in particular, those with a passion for building and exploring. There is more than a little Lego influence here, which brings a welcome level of nostalgia for all those who grew up with the famous toy brand.

10 Fallout 4: Automatron

Allows The Creation Of Unique Robot Companions For Fallout 4

The Fallout series brings players into the post-apocalyptic future, where they must explore a battered nuclear wasteland and fight against various mutated enemies inhabiting the world. Fallout 4 brought a whole new building system to the game and, with the addition of the DLC Automatron, added robot building to the mix.

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Automatron allows Fallout players to design their own robots that can then act as companions and guards of the various settlements within the game. With a large array of choices available to players, creating custom robots in a nuclear wasteland has never been more fun.

9 Robot Arena 2: Design And Destroy

Create And Battle Robots In The Arena

• Platforms: Microsoft Window
• Released: 2003
• Developer: Gabriel Interactive, Inc.
• Genres: Action, Simulation, Fighting

This cult video game is widely considered to be one of the best robot combat titles ever made. Largely influenced by the TV show Robot Wars, the game allowed players to design and create their robots to battle in several arena types.

With solid graphics for the time and excellent gameplay physics, the game garnered a dedicated fanbase. Robot Arena offers comprehensive robot creation, with players able to invent unique designs from a wide array of choices. The game was released to positive reviews and retained a fanbase for years after release.

8 Battletech

Promotes Strategy Over Firepower

Battletech is a turn-based strategy game based on a board game of the same name. In this title, players can customize and build their own mech suits, from the chassis and weapons to smaller details like the turning radius and gyros. This gives players a large amount of freedom when it comes to playstyle.

Unlike the other mech games on this list, the gameplay of Battletech leans more towards strategy than fast-paced shooting and strafing and will appeal to fans of this slower, more methodical genre.

7 Autonauts

A Simple Robot Creation Game For De-Stressing

Autonauts is a simulation and resource management game that allows players to create their perfect world. In Autonauts, players build and automate a team of robots that will transport, harvest, and craft all the things a brand-new colony needs.

With no time limit or enemies, Autonauts is stress-free and ideal for gamers looking to relax in their spare time while building and programming some cute robots. Perfect for adults and children alike, Autonauts is a simple yet in-depth game that will please fans of the strategy simulation genre.

6 Clone Drone In The Danger Zone

Upgrade Robots To Deal More Damage

This robot Beat ’Em Up game is set in a world where robots have taken over humanity and transferred their minds into robot gladiators. Players must fight their way through different levels of robots to escape. With both a co-op and story mode, the game gives players plenty of options for replayability.

After fighting through each level, players are able to upgrade the robots, giving them better weapons or abilities. Clone Drone in the Danger Zone is a simple but pleasing robot fighting game that will appeal to all age groups.

5 Cogmind

A Technical Game That Rewards Patience

This tough robot-building roguelike is a complex turn-based game where players explore and fight as a robot. This isn’t a game that holds players’ hands and requires time and practice to learn. As it progresses, the player’s robot builds and upgrades itself using found or salvaged parts from other robots.

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Cogmind won’t appeal to a wide audience of gamers with its complex interface and steep learning curve, but with deep gameplay mechanics, this enjoyable indie gem will please fans with its expanding procedural world, tactical combat, and retro-gaming aesthetic.

4 M.A.S.S. Builder

Detailed And Expansive Mech Creation

In terms of video games where players can build robots, the genre that often provides the most freedom and choice is mech games. M.A.S.S. Builder is an RPG Mech fighting game that takes a lot of influence from JRPGs.

The game gives players a lot of options from the start in customizing their mech with different paint, parts, and weapons. M.A.S.S. Builder doesn’t have the same grittiness other games in this genre have, but it makes up for it with fun, fluid combat and expansive customization.

3 RoboCo

A Fun And Detailed Robot Creation Game

This sandbox robot-building game gives players the chance to design their own robots and put them to work helping the hapless humans that inhabit the game world. RoboCo is great for those wanting to put their creative engineering skills to the test and build inventive and working robots.

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RoboCo is a wholesome and fun-to-play indie game that will appeal to multiple age groups and can act as a fun learning experience for children who are interested in robotics. With engaging but challenging activities, players will need to design more complex robots to complete each task.

2 Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon

Explosive Action With Deep And Comprehensive Mech Creation

When discussing mech games, there are few series in the genre that have as much acclaim as Armored Core. With the most recent high-profile release, Fires of Rubicon, the series has made a stunning comeback.

Armored Core gives players a lot of freedom in designing and building their mechs. From multiple weapon types to the weight of the mech itself, each option can create an entirely different playstyle. With its fast gameplay, immersive world, and tough boss fights, Armored Core 6 is a worthy successor in the much-beloved franchise.

1 Kerbal Space Program: Breaking Ground Expansion

Learn, Design, And Build An Entire Space Program

Kerbal Space Program allows players to delve into the complex and rewarding world of space flight simulation. In the game, players run an alien space program, where small green aliens crew the various creations the player builds. These can include rockets, spaceplanes, and rovers. Kerbal Space Program uses complex physics mechanics, allowing for accurate orbital maneuvers that mirror real life. The game has become popular within the science community for its fun gameplay and educational potential.

Several expansions have brought additional content to the game, most notably the Breaking Ground expansion. This pack included the ability for players to create detailed and accurate robots. The creation system is just as complex and comprehensive as the rest of Kerbal Space Program and requires an understanding of physics within the game. For players looking to learn the basics of robot creation and engineering, this is the ideal game to play.

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