The first reviews of the Steam Controller have gone live. This peripheral is effectively a redesign of the original Steam Controller from over a decade ago, and is meant to complement the upcoming Steam Machine. It’s also compatible with PC, and of course, Valve’s own Steam Deck.
As we reported over the weekend, an industry insider named Brad Lynch on X found evidence of a "Steam Controller Unboxing" video that was uploaded to SteamDB. Soon after, reports of a potential Steam Controller price leak circulated online, suggesting the peripheral would cost $99. Given how reviews have gone live, it seems some folks spilled the beans prematurely.
The Steam Controller features TMR thumbsticks, rumble support, capacitive touch, and gyro controls. Like most controllers, it has four face buttons, four shoulder buttons, and the aforementioned pair of thumbsticks. Unique inputs include the large touchpads beneath the thumbsticks and four back buttons.
We’ll have our review of the Steam Controller soon. For now, here’s what tech reviewers are saying about Valve’s new peripheral.
What are reviewers saying about the Steam Controller?
Steam Controller reviews are largely positive, with many sites and YouTube channels saying this is now their favorite PC game controller. That’s high praise, especially considering how controversial the original Steam Controller was.
TechRadar’s Matt Hanson says the Steam Controller is “a massive improvement over the flawed original, offering some great innovations while also coming with a more conventional — and user-friendly —design.”
This is a sentiment that PCMag’s Will Greenwald shares, saying that the controller is “fundamentally better in every way thanks to a deep feature set, terrific feel, and customizable controls like those on the Steam Deck.”
“I’ve spent so much time with Valve’s second attempt at its Steam Controller that I can’t imagine playing my PC games with anything else,” says Polygon’s Giovanni Colantonio. Similarly, IGN’s Bo Moore said it was his “favorite controller for PC gaming.”
I’ve spent so much time with Valve’s second attempt at its Steam Controller that I can’t imagine playing my PC games with anything else.
Giovanni Colantonio
So what do reviewers love about the Steam Controller? Matt Hanson says the more conventional design is a major factor. “This makes it much easier to get to grips with if you’re used to other gamepads.” Gizmodo’s Kyle Barr echoes this sentiment, saying that the “new Steam Controller feels far more natural for anybody used to a PS5 DualSense-like design.”
The new thumbsticks also won over reviewers, thanks to TMR technology for improved performance. Not only does this lead to quicker actions, but it also allows them to glide smoothly.
“The new thumbsticks are no slouches, either, thanks to tunneling magneto-resistance (TMR) technology, which is the tech of choice for most premium gamepads. This uses small magnets to measure even the smallest of movements, which improves precision, and excels in genres such as shooters and racing games, where even the smallest of movements need to be accurately recorded and reflected in-game,” says Matt Hanson.
The Steam Controller’s joysticks have the right amount of resistance to add a tactile feel to your movements.
Kyle Barr
Kyle Barr says that the Steam Controller’s “joysticks have the right amount of resistance to add a tactile feel to your movements.”
One sticking point is the controller’s price of $99. While that’s certainly less than many “pro” controllers like the PS5 DualSense Edge, it’s still $20-$30 more expensive than standard PS5 or Xbox controllers. However, given its features, most reviewers say the price is justified. “But considering everything it does,” says Will Greenwald, “the Steam Controller is a worthwhile purchase if you mostly play games on Steam.”
Right now, it seems like the Steam Controller is a hit among reviewers, and I’m certainly eager to go hands-on with it myself. I’m curious how the gaming community will view Valve’s latest peripherals. It won’t be long to get that answer, as the Steam Controller is set to launch on May 4.
