Valve Steam Controller: What reviewers are saying, how to get your hands on one
Source: Mashable Tech
Attention PC gamers: the controller of your dreams might be here soon. Valve’s new Steam Controller is set to launch imminently, and early reviews are already giving us a sense of what to expect. This fully customizable gamepad is designed to work with every (or at least almost every) game in your Steam library. It was first revealed alongside the upcoming Steam Machine and Valve’s VR headset, but the controller is arriving first because it hasn’t been hit by the global memory shortage affecting the console and headset.
How to get a Steam Controller
Credit: Valve
The process of getting a Steam Controller seems relatively straightforward, though success can’t be guaranteed.
- Pre‑order date: Orders open on May 4 at 1 p.m. ET.
- Purchase link: Official Valve Steam Controller store page.
Because the controller isn’t subject to the RAM shortage, stock levels may be sufficient for most buyers.
Steam Controller review roundup
The new Steam Controller has shed the controversial dual‑touchpad design of the 2015 version in favor of a more conventional layout:
- Two analog sticks
- Standard face and shoulder buttons, with optional back buttons
- Two trackpads (similar to the Steam Deck) for mouse‑style input
PCMag
“The new Steam Controller is much more solid, comparable with an Xbox gamepad in heft and grip curve. It’s still mostly plain, matte black plastic, but textured to be more secure and less slippery than its half‑glossy predecessor. The touchpads have a smooth, satiny finish that’s so much nicer under the thumb, the triggers have smooth tension that doesn’t feel remotely spongy, and the permanently attached rear buttons are nice and clicky. It feels better to hold in all regards.”
— PCMag review
Engadget
“The puck snaps onto the belly of the controller for charging, and when you hover the gamepad’s connection point over it, it jumps up and latches on like a cute little sucker fish. I don’t know if this behavior is an intentional selling point, but it certainly is for me. The Steam Controller also connects to devices via Bluetooth or with a cable, and in all configurations it’s performed without issue for me.”
— Engadget review
Credit: Valve
Battery life isn’t an issue: Valve promises more than 30 hours on a single charge, and the charging puck lets you top up without pausing your session.
IGN
“For the sake of testing, I tried playing Crusader Kings 3 and Against the Storm with the Steam Controller, neither of which have built‑in controller support. In both cases, the games were playable, but it’s not a very efficient or enjoyable experience, and I gave up in frustration after a few minutes, even when employing one of the community profiles already built for the Steam Deck.”
— IGN review
Bottom line
Critics generally agree that the Steam Controller delivers a quality gaming experience, especially for those with large Steam libraries who want to play from the couch. Limitations to note:
- Compatibility is limited to Steam titles; Xbox Game Pass games are unsupported.
- The trackpads can feel awkward for games traditionally controlled with a mouse.
Even with these caveats, the new Steam Controller looks like a promising addition for PC gamers seeking a versatile, comfortable gamepad.