Electro Bop Boxing League is a swanky atompunk autobattler with a wonderful sense of fun

I am not a big fan of sports sims, but every now and then, a creative twist on a sport manages to catch my attention. Electro Bop Boxing League definitely has some unique spins. Instead of just having robot boxers, Developer Dob went above and beyond by adding a swaggering electro swing soundtrack, special moves represented as old-timey computer punched cards, repairing limbs between rounds with a Repair-o-Gun, and even little eggheads in lab coats cheering on the robot boxers. The referee counts presented as a rebooting sequence are just the cherry on top. Developer Dob has truly outdone themselves!

If you’re interested, there’s a demo available for you to try out. I highly recommend playing it rather than reading my attempt at boxing jargon. To sum it up, Electro Bop Boxing League is a musical autobattler with elements of micromanagement and a delightful atompunk presentation.

One potential hurdle for some players is that most commands need to be entered on the beat. This includes completing button combos for punchcards, managing various gauges to keep your robot mobile and in good condition, and button-mashing your way out of a clutch. The world and HUD move to the music to help you with the prompts, but I personally found it a bit frustrating in the demo until I realized that you don’t have to match the tempo perfectly – hitting the occasional beat is enough.

The robots in the game are beautifully designed vintage creations with a lot of customization options. The career mode involves unlocking new parts, abilities, and crew skills through daily manager events. You can even attract tourists to watch your robot boxer in action for some extra cash, with the risk of them accidentally breaking something.

Electro Bop Boxing League is set to release soon on April 18th. For more information, you can check it out on Steam.