Valve’s Steam Controller: The Ultimate Gaming Dream
▼ Summary
– Valve announced a second-generation Steam Controller that works with any device running Steam and includes a charging puck that also provides low-latency wireless connectivity.
– The new controller features a more traditional gamepad design with standard grips, face buttons, triggers, back buttons, and two canted touchpads for improved ergonomics.
– It introduces magnetic, drift-resistant joysticks and Grip Sense capacitive sensors in the handles to detect hand contact and enable custom mappings like gyro activation.
– The controller offers multiple control schemes, including touchpad-as-mouse and gyro aiming, providing flexibility similar to the Steam Deck’s customization options.
– It is scheduled to launch in early 2026 with a competitive price, user-replaceable battery, and up to 35 hours of battery life per charge.
The Steam Controller’s second generation brings the remarkable customization power of the Steam Deck directly into a dedicated gamepad, offering players an unprecedented level of control over their gaming experience. Valve recently unveiled this Bluetooth-compatible controller, which works seamlessly with any device running Steam, including the new Steam Machine PC and Steam Frame VR headset. During a hands-on session at Valve’s headquarters, the controller immediately felt like the intuitive and versatile input device many gamers have been waiting for.
Scheduled for an early 2026 release, the controller’s price remains unannounced, though Valve aims to position it competitively against other controllers with advanced input features. A unique charging puck accompanies the controller, serving a dual purpose as a low-latency wireless connector and a convenient charging station. This represents Valve’s renewed effort in the controller space, following the discontinuation of its first-generation model which featured large circular trackpads and a distinctive bulbous shape.
That original design focused on delivering mouse-like precision and keyboard-level customizability directly into players’ hands. While the hardware was eventually retired, its spirit lives on through Steam Input. This configuration system allows users to tailor PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo controllers with the same depth of customization. Controller usage on Steam has surged significantly, with many players leveraging Steam Input to create personalized control schemes, like binding complex actions in games such as Hollow Knight: Silksong to single buttons, or making decades-old PC titles instantly playable through community-shared profiles.
Valve’s new controller design marks a substantial departure from its predecessor, adopting a more traditional gamepad form factor. Picture a Steam Deck with its screen removed and the two halves joined together, that captures the general aesthetic. It includes standard ergonomic grips, an enhanced D-pad, four primary face buttons, two triggers, two bumpers, and four rear buttons. Two touchpads, similar to those on the Steam Deck, are now angled approximately 15 degrees inward to better accommodate natural hand positioning when using a gamepad rather than a handheld device. The overall feel is immediately comfortable and intuitive, addressing common criticisms of the original model’s ergonomics.
A groundbreaking feature is the inclusion of magnetic, drift-resistant joysticks, making Valve the first major company to implement this technology in a first-party controller. Developed in partnership with an undisclosed vendor using TMR joystick technology, this design isn’t exclusive to Valve, according to hardware engineer Steve Cardinali. The controller also introduces capacitive sensors within each grip, enabling “Grip Sense” functionality. This virtual button can be mapped to any command and was originally conceived by a Valve employee seeking to activate gyro aiming without thumb movement. Additionally, high-output LRA haptic motors in the grips promise enhanced tactile feedback, though practical testing of this feature wasn’t available during the preview.
The controller’s substantial size may remind some of the original Xbox “Duke” gamepad, but it delivers exceptional comfort during use. The stick tops are slightly slimmer than those on the Steam Deck but maintain the same textured grip surface. Face buttons exhibit reduced rattle, and the charging process is streamlined, simply placing the controller over the magnetic puck initiates charging through pogo pins.
This puck provides a proprietary low-latency connection with just 8ms end-to-end latency to a computer. It supports up to four controllers simultaneously within a 5-meter range without signal dropouts, though Valve engineers have experimentally connected up to sixteen controllers. The new Steam Machine includes a built-in antenna for direct controller connection, allowing the puck to remain near your couch purely for charging purposes. An internal lithium battery delivers an estimated 35 hours of gameplay and is user-replaceable, popping out similar to older cellphone batteries after opening the controller housing. For wired play, a USB-C port enables both charging and direct connection.
During a demonstration, Cardinali showcased the controller’s versatility through three different control schemes in Balatro. Traditional gamepad controls felt familiar and responsive, comparable to using a Switch Pro Controller. Using the right touchpad as a mouse and the left touchpad for mouse buttons provided a genuine PC-like experience. Activating gyro controls through the grips offered another alternative for cursor movement, demonstrating the system’s flexibility for various play styles.
For gamers who appreciate the extensive customization options available on the Steam Deck, this new Steam Controller presents an compelling choice. Its blend of traditional design elements with innovative features and deep customization capabilities makes it a strong contender in the gaming peripheral market.
(Source: The Verge)
