It is undeniable that the development of robot manipulators has gained significant attention due to its numerous applications in various sectors. In order to address and resolve several issues for robotic manipulators, this paper provides a review of recent control approaches that have been conducted. In the beginning, a succinct comprehensive introduction of the pertinent terminology, configurations, components, advantages/disadvantages, and applications is given. A state-of-the-art review of the various control strategies for robotic manipulator systems is then presented, along with potential solutions when the systems are faced with various obstacles and impediments. An analytical study is discussed showing percentages of the papers discussed in this study in terms of the different control strategies, link types, models, applications, and degrees of freedom of robotic manipulators. For academic, research, medical, and industrial uses, some off-the-shelf developments in robotic manipulators are also presented. © 2024 The Authors.