Valve has officially announced the price and release date of its new Steam Controller. The controller will cost $99 in the United States and will be available for pre-order starting May 4 at 10 a.m. PDT.
The company is positioning the new Steam Controller as a premium gaming accessory, mainly for PC gamers and users in the Steam ecosystem.
Valve has also revealed pricing for other regions. In Canada, it will cost CA$149. In Europe, the price is €99, while users in the UK will have to pay £85. In Australia, the controller is priced at AU$149, and in Poland, it will cost 449 zł. The company says the controller will begin shipping soon after orders go live.
At $99, the new Steam Controller is more expensive than popular controllers like the Sony DualSense and Nintendo’s Pro Controller. However, it is still cheaper than high-end controllers such as the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and Sony’s DualSense Edge.
This pricing puts it in the middle ground, where it offers premium features without going as expensive as pro-level controllers.
The new controller is designed mainly for PC gaming. Early hands-on impressions suggest that it offers a very comfortable grip and a natural feel during gameplay. Some reviewers have even called it one of the best PC gamepads they have used. However, its performance may not be the same when used outside the Steam ecosystem or on other platforms.
The Steam Controller works across multiple devices. You can use it on PC, laptops, and even mobile devices through the Steam Link app. It is also fully compatible with Steam hardware like Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame.
Valve is offering flexible connectivity options. The controller comes with a “Steam Controller Puck” that works as both a wireless receiver and a magnetic charging dock. It ensures a stable and fast connection. Apart from that, users can also connect the controller using Bluetooth or a USB cable.
The controller features next-generation magnetic thumbsticks using TMR technology. These are designed to offer better accuracy, smoother movement, and improved long-term reliability. They also support touch input, which enables additional controls like motion-based aiming.
It also includes trackpads. These allow users to play games that normally require a mouse. The trackpads are highly customizable and offer better precision, especially in fast-paced games like shooters.
The Steam Controller includes high-definition rumble motors that can produce detailed vibration feedback. This helps improve immersion while gaming. It also features gyro controls with a new “Grip Sense” system. This lets users enable or disable motion aiming simply by holding or releasing the controller grip.
The controller includes four grip buttons on the back. These can be fully customized, allowing users to map them based on their needs. This is useful in competitive gaming, where quick access to controls can make a difference.
Valve says the controller is designed for long gaming sessions. It includes well-placed thumbsticks, triggers, bumpers, and buttons that fit different hand sizes.
The controller is fully integrated with Steam Input. This allows users to customize controls for almost every game. It also supports community configurations. This means you can use control setups shared by other players or create your own.
For VR users, it includes infrared LEDs that allow tracking with Steam Frame, making it usable even in virtual environments.
Valve had also announced new hardware, like the Steam Machine and a VR headset. However, the company has not shared any updates about their launch timelines yet. For now, the focus remains on the Steam Controller.
