Steel Battalion Controller

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An involved controller designed for Capcom's Xbox mech-simulation game, Steel Battalion. Edit

Overview

Released with the intention of creating unrivaled realism in the mech-simulator genre, Capcom shipped Steel Battalion for $200 and included a massive, 40 button control station. The game integrated the controller and the gameplay in ways no other console or PC-based title had done before.

Operation

In Steel Battalion, players take on the role of a Mech pilot, placed in control of a huge, 40-ton Vertical Tank, or VT. The controller features two control sticks, one governing the targeting and torso movement, and the other serving as a throttle stick. Additionally, three foot pedals control chassis movement, and over 40 individual buttons, each with a specific function, cover the remainder of the controller. The player's survival in the game is directly proportional to the understanding and speed at which they can use this controller.

The cockpit of a VT

At the start of each mission, the player must boot up their VT by flipping a series of switches and pressing buttons in a specific order. Each button or switch corresponds to an integrated function of the VTs operating system, and they must be activated in sequence for the mech to boot up at all. Throughout the course of the game, players make significant use of the controller's various buttons, tuning in to enemy radio-chatter, wiping the windshields if they get obstructed with mud or heavy rain, and cycling through weapons systems, targeting modes, zoom levels, and other functions one might perform within a giant walking tank. VTs are extremely susceptible to heat, and unless monitored closely by the player, their mech will overheat and shutdown, leaving the player vulnerable on the battlefield until he or she can reboot the vehicle again. Additionally, as a form of punishment, if the player's VT takes catastrophic damage, the player must eject from the mech by pressing a special emergency button before the VT explodes. If the player is too slow, their character effectively dies, and their profile as well as all of their progress is deleted automatically from the game's roster.

Screenshots & Art

Steel Battalion Controller

Steel Battalion Controller

An involved controller designed for Capcom's Xbox mech-simulation game, Steel Battalion. Edit

Overview

Operation

Steel Battalion Controller's Forum