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Valve's new Steam Controller launches May 4 at $99, and it will be a zoo without pre-orders
Valve announced that its updated Steam Controller will launch on May 4 for $99, with pre-orders not yet available. The controller features magnetic thumbsticks, haptic motors, customizable trackpads, and Grip Sense technology. The article also briefly mentions production issues surrounding Valve's Steam Machine.
Valve is bullish on global Steam Controller availability: 'We have knobs we can turn to try to get things to people…
Valve engineer Steve Cardinali expressed confidence in the global availability of the Steam Controller, stating they have mechanisms to increase production if demand exceeds expectations. Unlike the staggered launch of the Steam Deck, the Steam Controller will be available worldwide simultaneously. The company aims to manage supply to meet anticipated high demand for the new Valve hardware.
Steam Controller Returns From The Dead As Leaked Reviews Reveal May Release Window | HappyGamer
Leaked reviews suggest Valve is preparing to release a successor to the Steam Controller, potentially in May 2026. This new iteration aims to learn from the original's polarizing design and compete directly with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X controllers. The move aligns with Valve's broader hardware strategy, building on the success of the Steam Deck and strengthening their PC gaming ecosystem.
Valve will be providing Steam Controller replacement parts via iFixit after launch
Valve is partnering with iFixit to provide replacement parts for the Steam Controller after its launch, similar to the approach taken with the Steam Deck. Valve engineers Steve Cardinali and Lawrence Yang highlighted the controller's straightforward design for repairability, emphasizing that users will be able to easily swap out components like the battery or customize buttons. While parts won't be available at launch, they will be made accessible through iFixit shortly after.
The new Steam Controller releases May 4th
Valve has announced that the new Steam Controller will be released on May 4th, 2026, with pricing set at $99 USD. The controller will be compatible with any system running Steam, including PCs, laptops, and the Steam Deck. Valve also mentioned that components are facing price increases due to AI companies, impacting the release of Steam Machines and Steam Frames.
Valve's Steam Machine might be delayed thanks to the RAM crisis, but its brand-new £85 Steam Controller is going it alone and finally has a release date
Valve has announced that its new Steam Controller will be released on May 4th, priced at £85 in the UK. Unlike the delayed Steam Machine and Steam Frame, the controller's release is not affected by the ongoing RAM crisis as it contains neither RAM nor storage. The new controller features a second thumbstick and a Steam Deck-style layout, aiming to improve upon the original's versatility.
After a week testing Valve's new Steam Controller, it's better in almost every way - but still a bit of a niche proposition
Valve's new Steam Controller offers significant improvements over its predecessor, drawing design inspiration from the Steam Deck and enhancing usability for PC gaming on a couch. While it excels at adapting mouse-driven games for controller input, its specific design choices and thumbstick placement make it a niche product, though a solid upgrade for those who already appreciate its unique approach.
Valve's Steam Controller goes on sale next week, May 4. It's pricier than you might have hoped, but more…
Valve announced that the Steam Controller will be available for purchase on May 4th, with prices varying by region, starting at $99 USD. The controller features dual trackpads, haptic feedback, and gyro controls, aiming for a comfortable couch gaming experience. Despite a slightly higher price point than some expected, it offers a unique design with customizable rear buttons and a 35-hour battery life.
Valve's Steam Controller costs $99 and arrives May 4
Valve's Steam Controller will be available for $99 in the United States starting May 4. It connects to PCs, Macs, mobile devices, and the Steam Deck via Steam or the Steam Link app, with future support planned for Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR. The controller is designed to work exclusively with games launched through Steam.
Valve Steam Controller review: A gamepad in search of a console
Valve's Steam Controller is reviewed as a gamepad primarily for PC gaming via Steam, with limited compatibility outside of the upcoming Steam Machine and Steam Deck. The controller features dual trackpads, TMR joysticks, and a unique charging puck, offering a comfortable and balanced design. While it performs well in various game genres and offers long battery life, its reliance on the Steam ecosystem and lack of broader PC compatibility are noted as drawbacks.
Steam Controller teardown: simple to open, easy to fix
A teardown of the Steam Controller reveals its simple design, making it easy to open and repair. Most components are accessible with basic tools, and Valve plans to make spare parts available through iFixit in the future. While thumbsticks are soldered to the mainboard, other parts like triggers and batteries can be replaced with minimal effort, highlighting Valve's commitment to repairability.
'Millimeters matter:' Making the Steam Controller 'just work' on day one
Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Jeremy Slocum discuss the design philosophy behind the Steam Controller, emphasizing the importance of user experience and a seamless 'time to game' factor. They explain how lessons learned from the original Steam Controller and the success of the Steam Deck informed improvements to button inputs, charging, and overall usability, aiming for a familiar experience for PC gamers.
I've been using Valve's new Steam Controller and for living room gaming there's nothing else like it
The Steam Controller offers a unique approach to PC gaming from the couch, utilizing trackpads and gyro controls to mimic mouse input. While it excels at navigating desktops and playing certain genres like strategy or RPGs, it's not a competitive-focused gamepad. Its functionality is tied to Steam, and while it provides extensive customization, cheaper alternatives exist for those seeking a standard controller experience.
Steam Controller review: even without a Steam Machine mate, this is a smartly crafted gamepad that puts PCs first
The second-generation Steam Controller is a versatile and functional gamepad designed primarily for PC use, offering improvements over its predecessor with the addition of a D-pad and a second thumbstick. It features advanced inputs like dual trackpads with improved haptics and Hall Effect-style stick drift protection, making it highly customizable. While it may lack the premium feel of some high-end controllers and has compatibility limitations with non-Steam launchers, its unique PC-centric features and innovative magnetic charging make it a compelling option for PC gamers.
Valve have confirmed the Steam Controller price and release date, though the Steam Machine is still in RAM price purgatory
Valve has confirmed that the Steam Controller will be released on May 4th for $99 / £85 / €99, despite ongoing RAM shortages delaying the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. The company has amassed sufficient stock for a strong launch, aiming to avoid the rapid sell-outs experienced with the original Steam Deck. The controller is designed for PC use on Windows systems and offers multifunctional trackpad controls.
Steam Controller-läckor – släpps nästa vecka, kostar 99 dollar sägs det
Leaks suggest Valve is preparing to launch a second-generation Steam Controller next week for $99 USD, which is more expensive than current PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series controllers. While unconfirmed, multiple leaks and a recently uploaded unboxing video on Steam lend credibility to the rumors. Valve has previously stated that its new hardware, including the Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame VR headset, is slated for release this year.
Slay the Spire 2 "may not be perfectly balanced yet," Half-Life writer and Valve veteran Erik Wolpaw says, but with 1,500 hours in the first game he has no doubt Mega Crit will pull it off
Valve writer Erik Wolpaw, known for his work on Half-Life 2 and Portal, shared his thoughts on Slay the Spire 2, stating that while it may not be perfectly balanced yet, he has confidence in developer Mega Crit. Wolpaw, who has over 1,500 hours in the original Slay the Spire, is currently playing the sequel extensively, both solo and in co-op.
Issues and Activism
The game 'Trump Shooter' has been removed from sale on Steam following allegations of its association with a shooter. Separately, Fortnite is issuing refunds for D4vd cosmetics due to unspecified issues.
Alleged would-be Trump assassin once made an "atomic fighting game", which Steam have now yanked from sale
Valve has removed the game Bohrdom from sale on Steam after its developer, Cole Tomas Allen, was allegedly involved in an attempted assassination. Bohrdom, described as an experimental fighting game, saw a surge in interest and reviews following the incident. Allen, who also has another project titled 'First Law' in development, is facing charges.
New Steam Controller Launches at $99 | TAG
Valve is reportedly launching a new Steam Controller for $99, featuring a redesigned input system that includes traditional analog sticks alongside trackpads. This move aims to make PC gaming more accessible while offering advanced customization options, learning from the perceived failures of the original 2015 model. The article speculates on the pricing strategy and whether there is sufficient demand for such a specialized PC gaming peripheral.
