Steel Empire

Steel Empire (originally released as Koutetsu Teikoku (鋼鉄帝国, lit. "Empire of Steel") in Japan, and otherwise known in various English materials as The Steel Empire or Empire of Steel) is a horizontally scrolling shooter released on the Sega Genesis in 1992. Versions for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 3DS were released in 2004 and 2014, respectively. The game was released on the Nintendo Switch at the end of July 2025. Steel Empire is notable among shoot 'em ups for its unique aesthetic designs. Mostly low-tech in nature, with it being set in a late-19th century alternate world, the game's aircraft, weaponry, power-ups, environments, enemies and bosses are heavily stylized. Their design added strong steampunk elements to the style, themes and visuals of the game. Steam power, propeller-based aircraft, biplanes, dirigibles and heavily-armored steam trains with giant cannons play large roles as the game's protagonists and opponents. The original leaked Japanese arcade beta version (now rare, with its source code believed lost), the Mega Drive version and the GBA remake were all critically well received.