The robots of Real Steel are undoubtedly the stars of the show. And, while they may lack a bit of personality, they make up for it with brute power and sheer spectacle. Honestly, they are probably the best-looking robots in the history of cinema.

But while the Real Steel robots may have all comers beat when it comes to brute strength and good looks, we suggest a few matchups where they may come of second best.

Nostalgia battle: Real Steel robots vs Johnny 5



Johnny 5 may not be the fastest, strongest or most mobile robot to grace our screens. In fact, he’s a bit of a nebbish. Which is precisely what endeared him to a generation of kids who grew up in the 80s and followed Johnny 5 as he fretted his way through two big-screen outings in Short Circuit and Short Circuit 2.

Somehow, we doubt that the robotic hulks of Real Steel will worm their way into the hearts of a generation in the same way Johnny 5 did.

Winner: Johnny 5


Heart battle: Real Steel robots vs WALL-E



WALL-E has already proved that he’s not afraid to take on robots far bigger than himself (and there are plenty). The Real Steel robots may have the ability to crush WALL-E into a cube, but will this stop him? Never.

He's also cuter, can dance better than they can.

Winner: WALL-E

One-liner battle: Real Steel robots vs The Terminator



The robots in Real Steel can’t speak, much less deliver a perfectly-timed kiss-off that will go down in history as one of the greatest movie lines ever.

Hasta la vista, robots.

Winner: The Terminator

Good looks battle: Real Steel robots vs The Transformers



The robots of Real Steel wear their budget on their sleeves. So too do Michael Bay’s towering Transformers, only you can’t see it because the camera is too
busy panning around like it’s been caught up in a tornado.

Winner: Real Steel robots

Good looks battle (round 2): Real Steel robots vs Gigolo Joe



As good-looking as they are, the Real Steel robots also manage to stay far away from the Uncanny Valley, making for a far more comfortable viewing experience.

Winner: Real Steel robots.  

Asimov adherence battle: Real Steel robots vs David



Fortunately for all involved, the robots of Real Steel save their murderous impulses for the ring.

They’re also saddled with far fewer daddy issues than Prometheus’s scheming protagonist.

Winner: Real Steel robots

Final result: The Real Steel robots finish the tournament with a win/loss ratio of 3 and 3. But don’t count them out just yet. Rather, watch them do their thing in Real Steel, Sun 16 Sep at 20:05 on M-Net and M-Net HD.