XBOX GAMES
PERIPHERAL POWER
STEEL BATTALION
DEVELOPER: CAPCOM PRODUCTION STUDIO 4, NUDE MAKER
RELEASE: 2002
It’s fitting that this Xbox exclusive from Capcom, which features hulking mechs and a imposing unique controller, has a price tag that’s suitably intimidating. Created by Capcom Production Studio 4 and Nude Maker, and overseen by producer Atsushi Inaba, Steel Battalion has become a centrepiece for many Xbox collectors as it’s just such a cool game to own. The appeal comes from the ridiculously oversized controller that manages to offer a deep, tactile and unique Xbox experience. You don’t play Steel Battalion, you feel it, and the sensation of starting up your Vertical Tank for the first time is a memory not soon forgotten. There’s a price tag for that memory though, and it’s not pretty. No matter what region you buy from, Steel Battalion will cost you. The game on its own tops out at £80 for a PAL copy, but you’ll be looking at a minimum of £140 for a boxed version, with prices climbing even higher for mint copies. The US game is pricier, while the Japan version is cheap but has a language barrier.
MECHA MONEY
Things to keep in mind if you want Capcom’s mech shooter in your collection
Screw It
The screws and covers used to hold the Steel Battalion unit
