Steel Battalion,
playable again.
An independent emulator bringing Steel Battalion to modern PCs. Requires your own original game.
Everything the original had, and room to breathe.
The default is always the original. Everything else is opt-in.
High FPS, high resolution
Smooth frame rates at modern resolutions. The game logic keeps its original 30 Hz tick, so it plays exactly like it should.
The original controller
The giant 40-button controller over USB, plus gamepad and mouse.
Better graphics, if you want
Optional settings to improve the graphics beyond the original look. Turn them on, or keep the game exactly as it was.
Cockpit in your headset
A working prototype today, with a VR alpha on the roadmap.
No emulation of the whole machine.
Steelbound runs the original game executable using independently implemented Xbox system interfaces and targeted runtime compatibility adjustments. That is high-level emulation (HLE), and it is why it runs so well.
Playable today. Beta in 2026.
Questions
Do I need the original game?
Yes. Steelbound contains no game data. You need your own original Steel Battalion disc and create an image of it yourself.
Does it change my disc image?
No. The image is only ever read. Save games, settings and caches are stored separately.
Is this an emulator?
Yes, a high-level emulator. Instead of simulating the whole Xbox, Steelbound runs the original game code directly and replaces the operating system, graphics, audio and input underneath it (high-level emulation).
Do I need the original controller?
No. It is fully supported over USB, but gamepad and keyboard/mouse work too.
Does it support VR?
There is a working VR prototype that puts the cockpit in your headset. A VR alpha is on the roadmap after the first community release.
Which version of the game?
Development currently targets the European release. Support for other releases will be looked at later.
What do contributions get me?
Contributions are voluntary and help cover the high development costs. They do not purchase the original game, grant rights to third-party content, or guarantee access to a release, a release date, or particular features.
When can I play it?
A community beta is targeted for 2026. Timing is subject to technical and legal review. Follow the project and watch the announcement for updates.
Support development
Steelbound is a community-supported hobby project. Voluntary contributions help cover the high development costs.