Valve Releases the Steam Controller This Week and Keeps Gamers in the Game While the Rest Catches Up

Valve’s brand new Steam Controller hits stores on May 4th in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. At $99, the peripheral is ready to go right out of the box; simply pair it with whatever setup you have lying around and you can begin playing your Steam library immediately.

Steve Cardinali, the head of Valve Hardware, believes they have pushed the launch date forward production reasons. The controller has no RAM and is much simpler to manufacture than their other gear. The team built up a lot of stock ahead of time to ensure they can fulfill demand without trouble, and Cardinali stated that they expect a lot of interest in it, but are prepared to deliver units to everyone who orders at launch.

Getting hold of memory chips has recently been a major issue for the entire industry, which is why the Steam Machine and related devices have been delayed. Demand for AI has drove up prices and limited availability, making it difficult for consumer products. Valve had planned to release all of the new hardware in the first half of the year, but when the shortages became more significant in the spring, they pushed back the timeline. Cardinali explained that Valve always treated each piece of hardware as a separate entity. He said that while the Steam Machine and Steam Controller work well together, they do not have to be released at the same time. The only true rule was to get the controller out the door before the Steam Machine, so users could use it right away with the new gaming PC when it arrived. Holding everything back at once made no sense once the controller was ready.

This new Steam Controller combines all of the classic controls with some additional fancy features in one handy package. Twin sticks and a directional pad, as well as touchpads on either side, allow for precise aiming and navigation. You also have gyro sensors inside that allow you to tilt the entire device for even greater precision in compatible games. The small back buttons are easy to operate and allow for quick supplementary inputs without having to alter your grip. The touchpads’ haptic motors provide clear feedback that feels very responsive when playing. You have a 2.4GHz dongle to handle wireless connections with little lag, and it also serves as a magnetic charger that just clips onto the controller, making it quite convenient. Although Bluetooth is available as a backup, the dongle is the best option for optimal performance. The battery life lasts approximately 30 hours, depending on how frequently you utilize the various capabilities.

You connect the controller to your PC via the Steam client, or if you have a Steam Deck, you can play while on the go. For those who prefer to take their gaming on the go, Steam Link even allows you to play on your mobile device. With the layout of community profiles and developer support already in place, most games will run almost right out of the box with just minor configuration required. The design is nearly identical to the Steam Deck, so if you’ve already configured it, your settings will transfer seamlessly.

As for the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame (that fancy wireless VR headset), Valve is still hoping to get them out in the first part of the year, after component costs are balanced. Until then, the controller is a separate device that allows gamers to access their libraries right away. Orders will open soon, allowing individuals to get in on the action before Valve’s full lineup comes together.