Valve has updated the official Steam Controller page with a full breakdown of the new gamepad, giving players confirmations of its features and release date.
The new Steam Controller is launching on May 4, and according to the review coverage, it will cost $99.
The new Steam Controller is designed to bring Steam Deck-style inputs to a separate controller. It includes traditional face buttons, bumpers, triggers, two thumbsticks, two trackpads, gyro support, rear grip buttons, and Steam-specific buttons for opening Steam and Quick Access menus. It looks just like a Steam Deck with its screen cut out.
The most distinct feature is the pair of trackpads. Valve’s original Steam Controller leaned heavily on trackpads as a way to play PC games that were not originally designed for controllers. This new version keeps that idea but adds a more familiar dual-stick layout, which should make it less awkward for games that already work well with normal controllers. If you’ve ever held a Steam Deck, this layout will be more than familiar.
Valve is also using TMR magnetic thumbsticks, a newer stick technology meant to improve feel, responsiveness, and long-term durability. This is a great move, as the older, traditional-style thumbsticks that most first-party manufacturers like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo use are prone to developing stick drift. Magnetic thumbsticks are much more durable, and they fit into the more premium, $99 pricepoint.
Steam Input is also at the forefront of controller compatibility, as players can customize controls, use community layouts, and adjust how the trackpads, gyro, rear buttons, and other inputs behave on a game-by-game basis.
The controller is designed to work in the Steam ecosystem, like Steam Deck, Steam Machine, Steam Frame, Steam Link, and any computer or laptop running Steam, but nothing indicates that it can’t work outside of it. Valve’s Steam Machine page also notes that the Steam Controller’s wireless adapter is built into the Steam Machine for direct pairing. The Steam Controller also comes with a dedicated Puck that serves both as a charging port and a 2.4GHz receiver.
For many, the Steam Controller’s $99 price point could seem excessive. But the controller packs enough features to justify it: a dedicated wireless dongle, additional trackpads, paddle shifters on the back, TMR magnetic thumbsticks that will outlast such premium controllers as Xbox Elite Series 2 and Dualsense Edge, and both cost more.
Still, this is an enthusiast piece of tech, and you should only upgrade to it if you have a valid use case.
