Play Kootetsu Teikoku from Hot-B (J)(Eurasia) Online

Game Overview

Koutetsu Teikoku (or Iron Empire if you prefer) is one of those GBA games that somehow slipped past most people—which is a shame, because it’s a weird little strategy gem. You’re thrown into this grimy steampunk warzone where every battle feels like a puzzle: your mechs clank across grid maps, terrain actually matters (unlike some games where it’s just decoration), and one wrong move can leave your squad scrap metal. The enemy AI doesn’t mess around either—it’ll flank you if you get lazy.

What I love is how it mashes together real-time and turn-based elements. You’re constantly tweaking units between fights, but once you hit the battlefield, everything moves fast. It’s got that Advance Wars vibe but with more gears, smoke, and desperation. The first time I lost a mission because I forgot to check elevation differences, I wanted to chuck my GBA—but then I immediately restarted. That’s how you know it’s good.

Fair warning: it’s not pretty by modern standards, and the translation’s a bit rough. But if you’re into tactical games that actually make you think, this one’s still got teeth.