Play Steel Empire (Europe edition · English) Online

Press START at the title screen, continue through the map and briefing, then choose one of the two aircraft before Stage 1. The Etopirica is smaller and quicker, whilst the Zeppelin is slower but can absorb more damage; either can be selected again before later stages. In the opening stage, survive the airborne waves, ground fire and obstacles, collect three EXP medals to raise the craft by one level, then destroy the train boss to advance. Keep firing in the direction enemies enter from, save the limited Lightning Bombs for crowded screens or bosses, and collect health, Bomb and Option items whenever they appear.

Move in eight directions with the Control Pad. In the documented GBA layout, B fires forwards, A fires backwards and R releases the screen-clearing Lightning Bomb; the game also offers several control presets, so the A/B direction may be swapped by the selected configuration. The two shot directions have unlimited fire, whereas Lightning Bombs use the on-screen stock. The consulted GBA sources did not document a separate pause input, so none is assigned here.