After weeks of leaks, including an unboxing video and official store listings, Valve has finally confirmed everything about the new Steam Controller. The company revealed the release date, price, and full list of features for the controller. This controller is part of Valve’s bigger push into living room hardware, alongside the upcoming Steam Machine and the Steam Frame VR headset. While many players are still waiting for Steam Machine, the Steam Controller will be the first of the three devices to launch.
Valve has confirmed that the Steam Controller will officially launch on May 4, starting at 10 AM PT. The official price is $99 USD, with regional pricing set at $149 CAD in Canada, €99 in the European Union, and £85 in the United Kingdom.
The controller is priced higher than the PS5’s DualSense and Xbox Wireless Controller, but that is justified by Valve with its extra features and wider compatibility. It will work with PC, laptops, Steam Deck, and later also with Steam Machine and the VR headset Steam Frame. One of the biggest upgrades is the new TMR magnetic thumbsticks, designed to give faster response, smoother control, and better protection against stick drift over time.
Another major feature is the new “Puck” charging system, a magnetic charging dock that also works as a low-latency wireless transmitter. The controller snaps onto it for charging, and can even ring like a phone if it gets lost. Valve also kept the two trackpads for mouse-style controls, added “Grip Sense” touch sensors with gyro support, four remappable back buttons, four haptic motors with HD vibration, and battery life of more than 35 hours. However, some users may see downsides too, such as the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack and the battery not being replaceable.
In related news, Valve has officially confirmed that the launch of the new Steam Machine is being delayed due to severe global memory shortages.
