Valve has officially unveiled the new Steam Controller, a peripheral that emulates console gaming experiences for the PC.
The new Steam Controller serves as the perfect accessory for Valve's upcoming Steam Machine.
Valve Officially Unveils Its Steam Controller
Valve has officially unveiled the new Steam Controller, complete with its release date, price, and a full breakdown of what it can do.
After being revealed alongside the Steam Machine and Steam Frame in November 2025, the controller is now the first piece of Valve's hardware lineup to get a launch date.
The controller will be released ahead of Valve's upcoming Steam Machine and Steam Frame, both of which are due to launch towards the end of the year or later due to the global RAM shortage problems. The Steam Controller is coming ahead of the console and wearable partner as it does not require the necessary components that are facing stock problems now.
The new design features a significant difference from the original as the new Steam Controller intends to bring Steam Deck-style inputs into this separate controller. It includes traditional face buttons, bumpers, triggers, two thumbsticks, two trackpads, gyro support, rear grip buttons, and Steam-specific buttons for opening Steam and Quick Access menus.
The Steam Controller introduced trackpads designed to replicate the PC's mouse input. Valve says this feature allows players to use the controller in games built around keyboard-and-mouse controls, including fast-paced shooter titles ranging from FPS down to TPS and more.
It also includes next-generation magnetic thumbsticks using TMR technology, built for improved responsiveness and long-term reliability.
Steam Controller Price, Release Date
The Steam Controller will launch on May 4, priced at $99 in the US. Valve is focusing on an all-online release of the Steam Controller, available via its Steam Store website.
According to Valve, players may expect a whopping 35-hour playtime with the new Steam Controller on a single charge.
The controller also comes with a dedicated Puck that enables low-latency wireless connectivity and easy magnetic charging. That said, the Steam Controller also offers Bluetooth connectivity and USB to connect to PCs without the use of the Puck.
The controller is compatible with any device running Steam or the Steam Link app, including Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs, as well as tablets, smartphones, and handhelds.
