Why the Steam Controller is (and isn’t) a big deal

Most PC gamers already have a controller they like to use with Steam — a Sony DualSense, 8BitDo Ultimate, Nintendo Switch Pro, or something else. Part of that love comes from Steam treating them like “original” consoles. They can do the things that made the first Steam controller worth buying. It offers a level of customizable control never seen before on PC and you still can’t reach for a console.

With Steam Input, any of these controllers can have multiple control schemes for different gameplay scenarios (flying, on foot, in menus), and you can switch between them with the push of a button. You can also create on-screen menus that appear when you press a button or touch the trackpad, revealing a host of custom commands – weapons, spells, consumables, you name it.

That’s why the idea of ​​a new physical Steam controller isn’t the same as it used to be. However, Valve has improved it A misunderstood ancestor Model 2026 with features you can’t find anywhere else. Basically, it crams Steam surfaceA huge range of inputs in one gamepad, including dual touchpads. It’s a Steam Deck without a screen, plus a little more.

I appreciate the small hardware improvements to the Steam Deck. For example, the new Steam controller has drift-resistant TMR joysticks that shouldn’t degrade over time — something Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo haven’t yet offered. I find it has better ergonomics than the Deck, four back buttons that are easier to press, and unique touch-sensitive sensors built into the sticks and knobs that can be mapped to any input. It’s ridiculously customizable, and will be user repairable as well, with replacement parts eventually arriving at the iFixit store.

Some people won’t need much convincing than that to buy one when orders open on May 4th for $99. Even those who don’t often customize controls may still seek out what the Steam Controller has to offer. It’s comfortable to use, offers long battery life, and the build quality is better than the original — just heavy enough, with a sturdy, somewhat grainy plastic that looks and feels upscale. On top of all that, the included 2.4GHz USB-C drive makes pairing and charging smoother than most other models.

The five-foot or so USB-C-to-A cable lets you place the drive wherever you’re most comfortable in your setup, whether it’s a gaming PC or in your entertainment center. It’s not necessary to maintain line of sight between the disc and the Steam console, but it’s ideal for maintaining a good signal. Another reason to keep the disc handy is that it’s a magnetic charging base for the controller, and it attaches with a satisfying click.

Pairing for the first time is a breeze. Simply plug the controller into the disc and follow the on-screen prompt to link it (and potentially install some firmware updates). You can forego using the disc as a wireless receiver by putting the Steam controller in Bluetooth mode, or by using it as a wired gamepad. Most importantly, you can wake your PC or Steam Deck from sleep mode by pressing the Steam button on the controller.

While some, myself included, see the value in what I’ve offered, others may not be easily persuaded to part with the consoles they already use. There is no immediate need to buy this if you are happy with what you already have. You can still have fun by connecting your gyroscope-equipped Sony DualSense or 8BitDo Ultimate 2 via Bluetooth to your Steam Deck, PC, or your next device. Steam machine.

says Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffis Edge Both Bluetooth and the dedicated 2.4GHz device are “very similar” in latency, with only about 8ms delay after a button press no matter which wireless technology you use. But 2.4GHz is the perfect solution if local multiplayer games are very popular in your gatherings. Bluetooth latency gets worse the more controllers you connect to it — but disc latency can remain constant even with four full Steam controllers plugged into it, Griffais says. (I only have one board, so I wasn’t able to test.)

Compared to the Steam Deck, the new controller offers a little deeper customization thanks to Grip Sense handles that detect when you touch them, something you won’t find on competing controllers. It works similarly to the on-deck touch-sensitive joystick found here as well. It’s been fun to make subtle changes to how games are controlled, like setting the faster-than-light Pulse Drive feature No sky man (Originally linked to L1 + R1) to be activated when I grip the right fist forcefully. in MarathonI was tired of tapping the left stick to run, so I set the left grip to start running. I can’t wait to see what the Steam community does with them.

The new Steam Controller isn’t necessarily a direct competitor to “pro” controllers like Sony’s $199 DualSense Edge, the $200 Xbox Elite Series 2, or Razer’s $229 Kaiju V3 Pro. It lacks interchangeable joysticks, while its competitors include shorter or longer, convex or concave stick caps for switching on the fly. It also has no trigger stops to shorten the pull of its triggers to feel like a mouse click. But what it lacks, the Steam Controller makes up for by having dual trackpads, four back buttons, and a dedicated Steam Quick Access button, not to mention the ability to use it to type and navigate on your PC (even in your BIOS, if you plug in a USB-C cable). Plus, it only costs about half what these competitors do.

The Steam Controller doesn’t have built-in storage for your controller profiles like some other high-end consoles, but Valve hasn’t necessarily dropped the ball. Greaves says Edge Steam keeps track of a unique ID for each controller independently of your computer, so you can use your saved controllers even if you’re connected to a computer that’s signed into someone else’s Steam account.

Even if you’re enamored by the polished hardware and deep customization of the new Steam controller, it’s not an essential upgrade if you already have a favorite Steam gaming controller. This may seem like a strange conclusion to reach, but it’s a good thing, as most other companies would have locked down any and all special features of their “original” console.

Valve isn’t like most companies, and its Steam controller isn’t quite like other consoles. If you play primarily on Steam Deck, Like my colleague Jay PetersUsing all your existing control systems seamlessly may be worth the price in itself. If not, its unique features may make it worth purchasing.