I think that at that price, I'll wait until my current Xbox controller and old steam controller I currently use dies or it's on a heavy discount before I pick one up.
this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2026
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Steam Hardware
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As someone who spent $150-$200 on the Xbox Elite controller just to get the rear paddles, $100 for this with the rear buttons and the track pads seems like no problem at all. Imo it's incredibly fairly priced as compared to the competition, considering the features and emphasis on repairability.
Just for fun fact and history, the introduction videos for the first Steam Controller and the new one on Valve's channel (direct YouTube links and the Invidious alternative:
- Introducing the Steam Controller Published on Jun 4, 2015: YouTube or Invidious
- Steam Controller: Official Overview and Quick Start Guide Published on Apr 27, 2026: YouTube or Invidious
It's been ~~10~~ almost 11 years. (Edit: Apparently I can't do simple math.)
$150 CAD is gonna be an instant wait for sale from me, dawg.
Likewise. Its 1/3 of what a deck has sold for.
looks great, but I’ve been pretty damn happy with my 8bitdo Ultimate 2 which goes for ~$55 US. I use it on the PC and the rare occasion I fire up my Switch. I have no doubt Valve will make the Steam Controller an excellent piece of kit, but going by what’s been released I’m not sold on it being worth almost 2x.
The 8bitdo controller doesn’t have capacitive touchpads and motion control only works on the Switch, but I’m not entirely sure I’d get much use from those features on the Steam Controller. I never use the capacitive touchpads on my SteamDeck, and gyro control has never been more than a gimmick when I’ve used it on other systems/controllers like the DualSense. I use it more for quicker character selection on an on-screen keyboard than in games. For people who DO make use of those features constantly, maybe the extra value is there.
Yeah, I definitely think how much you value this controller is directly proportional to how much of the full Steam Deck control scheme you use. As a heavy user of the Deck's touchpads to the point I'll never consider another handheld without them, this is still a day one purchase for me even at $99, but I'm not going to recommend it to anyone without huge caveats.
The Ultimate 2 Gyro works on PC too, at least on the Wireless version.
Update the dongle and controller firmware via the 8BitDo App then hold the B button when turning on the controller. Steam can make use of the Gyro and extra buttons directly.
I never use the capacitive touchpads on my SteamDeck
Only in desktop mode when I don't have my full docked setup with real keyboard and mouse. They are IMO better than touchscreen when everything is so small (and the Deck is too heavy for holding it in one hand for a longer duration).
Same. My Gamesir Cyclone 2 is so great. I don't use the track pads at all on the Steam Deck. The 4 customisable back buttons would be useful, but not for £85. I have yet to figure out what good motion controls are in game with any controller.
But if anyone else is looking flto buy a controller this does look like a solid option.
I have yet to figure out what good motion controls are in game with any controller.
Same. I think this puts me off using the deck more undocked. Not sure if I just need to eat the pain of getting used to them but the gap versus a mouse is just so huge.
Gyro motion controls are great for aiming in FPS games. There was a Team Fortress 2 youtuber SolarLight who used gyro aiming in a competitive setting and managed to do pretty well for himself in terms of kills. His video on it is worth a watch if you're interested.
Not too sure where else it could be useful though.
I’ve gotten so used to having the extra re-mappable buttons on the back of controllers that I won’t use one that doesn’t have them, and have even modded both of my DualSense controllers to add them. The 8bitdo controller I mentioned has ‘em, plus it has hall effect joysticks, so IMO it’s even better than the 1st party “elite” controllers and it still comes in at half the price. If I were going to make heavy use of the extra touchpads on the Steam Controller I’d definitely be buying one.
$100 is steep. I've been exited to use this controller for my Bazzite system, and I was mentally prepared to pay ~$75 for it, but I really wasn't expecting it to be as expensive as it is.
With that said, I'll probably still be buying one. Because while there are other good (and cheaper) controllers out there, this is the only one with dual trackpads and that's been designed for HTPC control.
designed for HTPC control
If you want more than gaming (like YouTube), wouldn't it make more sense to get a wireless keyboard with an integrated touchpad, like the recently announced Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard?
I have an OG Steam Controller as well as a Steam Deck and I never ever thought to myself that for HTPC tasks would I want a controller in my had over a good wireless keyboard and mouse/touchpad.
The OG steam controller is great for HTPC use and the keyboard on it is very useful, while not as quick to type as a real keyboard.
There is still no price for the framework WTK but it still would be higher cost with a good controller than the Steam Controller.
i know this is gonna get buried under the other 143 comments, but i just need to vent excitment, FUUUUUUUCK YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Im gonna be in class during the launch so i really hope lecture doesnt go over anything important when im ordering it. Oh my god im so excited i can hardly contain it, there are some games I wanted to play only on my deck cus they worked better with controller
I am a little worried that if i dont get it right as it lauches im gonna miss it, but at least my one fear of it being dropped at like 6 am or something has been put to rest
In case you haven't already, preload your Steam Wallet and make sure to account for any tax. As someone who got my Steam Deck order in the first 15 minutes it dropped, payment processing was the biggest barrier then. They might have fixed it since, but they also might not have. Good luck!
Oh well that makes me feel much better as I’m still holding on to like $200 from Christmas so that shouldnt be an issue, gonna get the preloaded on the 4th so all I have to do is hit refresh, gonna do an internet speed test to see if the college WiFi or my hotspot is faster (prolly my hotspot)
Gotta prep
Correction: MAY 4th.
Oops yeah, thanks for the catch. Fixed now.
You're welcome.
This item is not available for purchase in your region
gracias válvula
I see the same thing when I look at the store page, but in my wishlist I see a release date (adjusted to my timezone)
Available for purchase May 4th, 10AM Pacific
Does this mean there will be no preorder? It will go for sale on that date and ship immediately?
Seems so. Would make sense too, as Valve has reportedly already received a lot of stock.
Can't wait to check the page and see they don't sell it at my country, than day dream of the day they will let me buy their hardware.
You can check now. I get pricing in euros so assume it's available and someone else in the thread said they got a "not available".
This item is not available for purchase in your region
Such joy.
Whoa I'm stoked, definitely gotta justify the cost by treating myself
It is expensive, but this an automatic yes for me.
Oof, 25 CAD more than a Joy Con 2 and 35 CAD less than a XB Core 2
I don't like the 99,- price either, but the joy cons are too expensive even when compared to that, imho. I love the idea of them but wow are those ever uncomfortable for me, it just feels like a different class to me.
I also loved the OG Xbox BIG CHUNGUS, so, you know, different tastes for different people
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Oof, 25 CAD more than a Joy Con 2 and 35 CAD less than a XB Core 2
There a fine 8bitdo game pads that are less fancy but work really well for way less. https://www.8bitdo.com/ultimate-2c-wireless-controller/ is a good deal, especially for people who are tight on money or simply don't play that often to care for higher end stuff.
Good alternative for a standard controller but for dual track pads, Valve is the only option. Gotta pay the niche tax.
Also no gyro controls, back buttons...... Several other things you miss out on
Note that if you're only after Gyro and Back buttons, 8BitDo's Ultimate 2 Wireless also has these features, and they work fully with Steam after a firmware update.
If you're looking for dual touchpads then yeah, Valve tax.
Gyro doesn't work on Linux for that controller unless you're using Bluetooth. You need the proprietary software.
It does, I use it exclusively with the 2.4g dongle on Linux.
You do unfortunately need the proprietary software for the initial firmware update (it works in a VM), but afterwards all you need is to ensure your distro has the proper Udev rules installed and to hold B when booting the controller.
Ah so they still haven't fixed the issue where it reverts from XInput mode every time. Glad at least it works now, though.
Maybe a stupid question, but could this work with a playstation too?
Almost certainly not natively. It might have a fallback to an XInput mode, in which case it could work with an adapter (but without the back buttons, gyro etc).
It might have a fallback to an XInput mode
No, as confirmed by Gamers Nexus. Steam Deck doesn't either. Personally, I think it's bad to have the requirement of Steam as a driver but there are also plenty of alternatives out there, so I'm not starting a riot over this.
According to Jeff Grubb at his video around the 20 minutes mark We've Been Using the Steam Controller! | Giant Bomb Review Discussion the Steam Controller will work as a regular controller without Steam being open. Steam itself is not required to use the controller, it just adds additional non standard features when open, such as customization and gyro. Sounds like without Steam being open it acts similar to a Xbox controller. But for that case there would be no need to pay 100 Dollar / Euro.
I wish though there was a more universal driver and software to that can be installed to run in the background, without Steam. So I agree with your sentiment, but just wanted mention that the controller is still (partially) functional without Steam. My suggestion is to buy the Steam Controller only, if you want to use it with Steam (duh!).
Then Jeff and GN should fight it out because they're clearly making contradicting statements. I only have a Deck and an original Steam Controller 2015 and neither act as an Xbox controller without Steam.
I did not say it acts as a Xbox controller, but said similar to a Xbox controller.
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Not natively, because Sony has a mandatory certification program for wireless controllers.
In theory you make it emulate a PS controller, or you can use a USB receiver like XIM MATRIX or do a ridiculous workaround like connect it using Playstation remote play. Maybe somebody will reprogram the included adapter to work with PS5.
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