The fantasy mech simulator so famously fiddly it came with it's own command console and twin joysticks, Steel Battalion, is remembered fondly by fans. Sadly, the stupid-big custom controllers are hard to find in working order these days, and even harder to maintain. When you can get your hands on one, it's worth making a kind of shrine around it. And that's just what the makers of the Big Steel Battalion Box have done.
The B.S.B.B. Mk II is a dedicated Steel Battalion cockpit. The centerpiece is a re-designed controller, featuring custom lighting effects. But it's also a fully encapsulated pod, complete with a rear hatch, rotating seat and a four-point harness. There's even a ventilation system built in.
But the makers didn't stop there. No, they built a coaching station outside the cockpit where an experienced player can don a headset and keep tabs on the new player inside, all the while maintaining the genuinely claustrophobic atmosphere. There's even a black and white, infrared camera pointed at the player inside so you can see their frustration in real time.
It's a little wobbly in places, as the video shows, but it's clearly a labor of love. You can learn more about the build at their website.
