From what I've seen of Battlebots, the only thing I have come not to like is the way the show presents itself. The announcers making it sound like a football game, and some of the one liners that are used are just sad and pathetic.
As for the community of Battlebots, I have not competed in it, so I will not comment. If it's anything like what I've met here in FIRST, though, I'd be surprised. I'd be hard pressed to find a community like FIRST anywhere else.
As for the engineering aspect of battlebots- I have seen some truly creative designs. Sure, I have seen some truly crappy designs, but you also have to look at Snake and another one using blades for legs (I forget the names of both of these, but they were truly awesome to behold. Very creative.)
FIRST is actually teaching me enough so I might just make my own Battlebot to give it a try.
As for comparing it to first- I definately think the FIRST games are better. However, imagine how much more taxed your mind would be when designing a robot that may live to be one day old and cease to exist. Not that I'm saying it's a fun thing for me, just for people that love rebuilding.
So don't hate Battlebots. Just don't watch it if you want. Screaming it sucks or going out with Battlebots must die mentality is simply idioicy (the ironic part is I have no clue if I spelled that word right), the same idioicy that we learn about in our history classes, just on a smaller scale. Think about it.
Be open minded people!