The excellent Steel Empire by Hot-B, a horizontal shooter with stunning steampunk style. Pretty, demanding, one of the console's best hidden shmups.
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Category
Shooter1 player7+
Description
A combat airship battles enemy forces in this Flying Edge SF shoot'em up for Mega Drive. Published by Flying Edge, released in the United States in September 1992. Horizontal shoot'em up with armoured airship in a steampunk SF universe, spectacular mechanical bosses.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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An underrated gem
In a steampunk world where airships clash with flying locomotives, this horizontal shooter charms with its retro-industrial flair and a measured pace that stands apart from the genre's usual frenzy. Released by small players, it slipped by almost unnoticed. Accessible and handsomely dressed, it will delight anyone after an atmospheric shooter rather than a punishing challenge.
Is Steel Empire still worth playing in 2026?
A cult steampunk shoot-em-up on Mega Drive, Steel Empire sends airships and vintage planes to assault a mechanical empire, in a retro-futurist art direction full of character. The forward and backward firing, the measured pace and the singular mood set it apart from more frantic shmups, in an accessible yet careful approach. The difficulty stays measured and the content generous for the genre. A gem to rediscover for fans of horizontal shooting with original aesthetics.
