Gamers have seen a lot of bizarre controllers over the years. From Resident Evil 4's chainsaw controller to Samba De Amigo's Dreamcast maracas, there is no shortage of weird gamepads. However, Capcom's Steel Battalion might have the most peculiar controller of all time.
The unconventional mech simulator requires a massive, 40-button controller equipped with three foot pedals, two joysticks, a throttle handle, an eject button and much, much more. It even has a radio dial. Steel Battalion has built up a reputation for being the most immersive mech game ever created, as well as being one of the most expensive original Xbox games on the market.
Steel Battalion launched for the Xbox in 2002. Players take control of a giant vertical tank (Steel Battalion's version of a mech) after a war breaks out across the country. It is up to the goliath war machines to end the conflict before it spirals out of control. Steel Battalion's plot may be overly simplistic and a bit generic, but its unique gameplay more than makes up for its sub-par narrative.
Capcom wanted to give gamers an immersive mech experience that would be unlike anything they'd seen before. Players control every aspect of the vertical tank. The controller replicates a fully functional mech cockpit, commanding everything from the windshield wipers to the latch door. The game also gives players a variety of mechs to choose from, each with their own unique features and abilities. They can be customized with a handful of powerful weapons to make them an impenetrable force on the battlefield.
It's hard to describe just how immersive Steel Battalion really is. The complex controller and detailed cockpit of each mech make players feel like they are actually controlling a full-fledged battle mech. Some people might criticize the game's slow pace and dreary environment, but many fans believe it just adds to the game's realistic nature. Capcom did a wonderful job making everything as lifelike as possible, giving players a gaming experience they won’t soon forget.
Although Steel Battalion captures the essence of a battle tank wonderfully, it is by no means a perfect game. Getting used to the complex controls takes some time. Many people would rather pop in a less detailed mech game instead of dedicating the time to master Steel Battalion's controls.
The game also automatically deletes a player's save file if they fail to press the eject button in time. This can be extremely frustrating and is by far the worst aspect of the game.
Steel Battalion is one of the most unorthodox games on the original Xbox. Its unconventional, 20-pound controller and highly immersive gameplay make it one of the most sought-after Xbox games available. Just be warned that Steel Battalion demands an extremely high price and is viewed as the holy grail for Xbox collectors: It will cost gamers more than $200 for a complete copy.