View source for Software:Steel Battalion

{{Infobox video game
| image = Steel Battalion Coverart.png
| caption = North American box art
| developer = {{ubl|[[Company:Nude Maker|Nude Maker]]|Capcom Production Studio 4}}
| publisher = [[Company:Capcom|Capcom]]{{vgrelease|EU|[[Software:Microsoft Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]]}}
| director = Hifumi Kono
| producer = Atsushi Inaba
| artist = {{ubl|Hirokazu Yonezuka|Sawaki Takeyasu}}
| writer = 
| composer = Naru Shirai
| engine = 
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|September 12, 2002|NA|November 20, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-12-08 |title=Press Releases |url=http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=450025 |access-date=2023-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021208001026/http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=450025 |archive-date=2002-12-08 }}</ref>|EU|March 28, 2003<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-03-28 |title=Steel Battalion launch farce |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47639 |access-date=2023-04-21}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Software:Action game|Action]], vehicle simulation
| modes = Single-player
| platforms = [[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Steel Battalion'''''|鉄騎|Tekki|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[Engineering:Video game|video game]] created by [[Company:Capcom|Capcom]] for the [[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]] console where the player controls a "Vertical Tank"—a bipedal, heavily armed [[Engineering:Mecha|mecha]]. To control the tank and play the game requires the use of a large [[Engineering:Game controller|controller]] made specially for ''Steel Battalion''. The controller consists of 44 input points, mainly buttons, but also uses two joysticks, a throttle handle, a radio channel dial, five switches, an eject button, and three foot pedals. Only limited quantities were made available. These quickly sold out, making the game a collector's piece. It has since been re-released in limited quantities worldwide, with blue controller buttons distinguishing it from the first edition with green buttons.

==Gameplay==
At the beginning of every mission, the player must start up the machine and operating system; this is handled through a series of switches and buttons dedicated to this purpose. If a corner is turned too fast, the machine will tumble over. If the player's machine overheats, its operating system must be reset. The game even simulates window wipers in case of mud hits the monitor. If the player does not eject when prompted, the player's in-game character will die, and the game will delete its own saved data, prompting the player to start over from the beginning.

Vertical tanks (VTs) are the vehicles piloted in the series. Essentially bipedal walking [[Social:Weapon|weapon]]s platforms, VTs are classed by their developmental generation and sub-categorised by their combat role. Primary combat roles are standard combat, assault, support, scout, and fast attack. Vertical tanks are divided into three weight classes: light, medium and heavy. As the player progresses, new generations of VTs become available. This allows a newer, more advanced operating system, startup sequence, and combat functions, as well as a wider cockpit view and layout. New generation VTs also handle better and can provide better firepower than previous generations.

==Development==
[[Image:Steel Battalion controllers.jpg|thumb|right|The re-released ''Steel Battalion'' controller, is identifiable by its blue buttons.]]
''Steel Battalion'' was developed by Nude Maker (former Human Entertainment developers) in collaboration with Capcom Production Studio 4.<ref>{{cite web |title=Production Studio 4 |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/studio4/index.html |website=Capcom Co., Ltd |language=Japanese |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206023353/http://www.capcom.co.jp/studio4/index.html |archivedate=February 6, 2005}}</ref> Inaba's superiors were skeptical about putting such a game on the market.<ref name="over">{{cite web |author=Sheffield, Brandon |date=October 23, 2006 |title=Capcom & Clover, Over and Over: Former Clover Head Atsushi Inaba on a Post-Capcom World |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/130215/capcom__clover_over_and_over_.php |accessdate=February 9, 2018 |website=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM plc}}</ref> The number of staff working on the project grew according to the team's experience with making new hardware. The earliest build of the game was created for the [[Engineering:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]. However, when the Xbox became available, the development team switched to it because of the system's greater power.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} Online play was taken out of consideration close to the development's start due to being too ambitious.<ref name="product">{{cite web |author=Sheffield, Brandon |date=March 11, 2005 |title=Postcard from GDC 2005: Lessons from Viewtiful Joe: Making a Creatively and Financially Successful New Game |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2251/postcard_from_gdc_2005_lessons_.php |website=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM plc |accessdate=April 4, 2009}}</ref> While the game and its special controller received critical acclaim, the project turned little [[Finance:Profit (accounting)|profit]].

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 83/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/steel-battalion/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Steel Battalion for Xbox Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=June 21, 2010}}</ref>
| Edge = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Steel Battalion |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |issue=122 |date=April 2003}}</ref>
| EGM = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Steel Battalion |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=162 |date=January 2003 |page=204}}</ref>
| EuroG = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |author=Taylor, Martin |date=March 26, 2003 |title=Steel Battalion |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_steelbattalion_x |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |accessdate=February 9, 2018}}</ref>
| Fam = 35/40<ref name="fam">{{cite magazine |title=Xbox - 鉄騎 |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |language=Japanese |volume=915 |date=June 30, 2006 |page=106}}</ref>
| GI = 9.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=McNamara, Andy |title=Steel Battalion |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200212/R03.0731.1220.19775.htm |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=[[Company:GameStop|GameStop]] |issue=116 |date=December 2002 |page=132 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917093948/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200212/R03.0731.1220.19775.htm |archivedate=September 17, 2008 |accessdate=February 9, 2018}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Tokyo Drifter |date=November 20, 2002 |title=Steel Battalion Review for Xbox on GamePro.com |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/27183.shtml |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050410073252/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/27183.shtml |archivedate=April 10, 2005 |accessdate=February 10, 2018}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7.3/10<ref>{{cite web |author=Gesrtmann, Jeff |date=November 22, 2002 |title=Steel Battalion Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/steel-battalion-review/1900-2898457/ |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=February 9, 2018}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Meston, Zach |date=January 4, 2003 |title=GameSpy: Steel Battalion |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/steel-battalion/5513p1.html |website=GameSpy |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217031236/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/steel-battalion/5513p1.html |archivedate=December 17, 2005 |accessdate=February 10, 2018}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.3/10<ref name="ign">{{cite web |author=Boulding, Aaron |date=November 25, 2002 |title=Steel Battalion Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/25/steel-battalion-review |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=February 9, 2018}}</ref>
| OXM = 8.9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Steel Battalion |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Future plc |date=January 2003 |page=89}}</ref>
}}

The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name="mc"/> In Japan, ''Famitsu'' gave it a score of 35 out of 40.<ref name="fam"/> It was nominated for ''GameSpot''{{'}}s 2002 "Best Graphics (Artistic)" and "Best Game No One Played" awards among Xbox games, but also the publication's "Most Disappointing Game on Xbox" prize.<ref name=bestworst2002>{{cite web | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 | author=''GameSpot'' Staff | date=December 30, 2002 | work=GameSpot | archivedate=February 7, 2003 | url-status=dead }}</ref> 

''Steel Battalion'' was the fifth best-selling game during its week of release in Japan at about 15,092 copies. While less popular in the United States, an estimated 25,000 were sold during the initial launch of the game/controller combo.{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} Inaba concluded that the game ultimately broke even in terms of units shipped and units sold.<ref name="product"/>

A reviewer on ''IGN'' wrote "where ''[[Software:MechAssault|MechAssault]]'' and ''[[Software:Robotech: Battlecry|Robotech]]'' wouldn't let us into the cockpit, ''Steel Battalion'' won't let us out" and joked the US$200 cost was for the controller while the game disc was free.<ref name="ign"/>

==Sequels==
A sequel called ''[[Software:Steel Battalion: Line of Contact|Steel Battalion]]'' was released in 2004, and also used the game's unique controller.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bishop, Stuart |date=January 6, 2004 |title=Xbox News: Steel Battalion: Line of Contact retail plans confirmed |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/99912/steel-battalion-line-of-contact-retail-plans-confirmed/ |website=Computer and Video Games |publisher=Future plc |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025101651/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/99912/steel-battalion-line-of-contact-retail-plans-confirmed/ |archivedate=October 25, 2012 |accessdate=February 9, 2018}}</ref> The third installment called ''[[Software:Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor|Steel Battalion]]'' was released in June 2012. This installment uses the [[Engineering:Kinect|Kinect]] motion sensor control rather than the original controller.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* (no longer active)
* {{moby game|id=/xbox/steel-battalion}}

{{Franchises by Capcom}}

[[Category:Military science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Steel Battalion}}