As an owner of the original Steam Controller that I still use, shut up and take my money.
this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2026
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For real. I've worn the thumbstick on my steam controller down to the structural plastic, and the battery door is cracked. I have one in a box because I love the thing so much. This is 100% a "once I have the money for it, it will be mine" kind of purchase.
Same. It's funny all the hubbub getting thrown around in reviews and public sentiment from people that don't fully understand it.
Exactly. So many opinions of people that have clearly never really used the previous steam controller flying around. It's a repeat of when that one came out and reviewers panned it because they didn't understand what it could do
That niche being: "people who play games on the computer."
And want to play all of their games on the couch. And want to take the time to make controller mappings. It's definitely a bit niche, but possibly a large niche.
Not at all. I'm primarily a PC gamer and that price is just a little too steep for me.
It probably depends on the games you play, but without the touchpads a significant number of pc games just don't work well for a controller on PC.
I think it has more to do with where you play than what you play.
For PC games at a desk, keyboard and mouse are already the more precise control method. I know that, for myself, I’m only ever using controllers for the types of games where that format is ideal, at which point I don’t need the precision pointing of a mouse let alone a trackpad.
Meanwhile, I wouldn’t consider a handheld without trackpads because the places where I use one would make adding a mouse cumbersome and impractical.
Since getting the Steam Deck, I’ve never really thought to myself “I really wish I could control my mouse without taking my hand off this controller” while sitting at my desk.
IMO the best use-case for the Steam Controller, and particularly its touchpads, is playing from a couch in front of something like a TV or projector, or maybe from a very reclined position at a desk.
Yeah, but it's announcement along with the steam machine is a clear indication it's designed for situations where you wouldn't use a mouse/keyboard. And in those situations having the thumpads is a game changer.
I am too—computer and old retro systems only. I have 2xDualsense, 2xXbox (latest) controller, 2xSwitch Pro, and 2xSteam controller for our computers. I’ll definitely be snagging two of these as they have better specs and more features than some of the “elite” or “pro” controllers that cost 1.5x as much or more.
A. not everyone playing games on PC use controllers. \
B. of the people that do use controllers a "normal" xbox style controller fits them well.
It's only the people who really want the trackpads, the gyro, or whatother (mostly) unique features it offers.
Yeah, the word "niche" does not imply that you are required to buy this...
Sure but even in that context, where I live an Xbox controller costs between ~$80 to just over a hundred depending on the design. The Elite controller is ~$200 (or currently on sale for $150).
So with that context, the $150 price point of the Steam Controller is really not that high, especially when you consider the hall effect joysticks, trackpads, gyro, and Valve's really strong track record of supporting their hardware post-launch.
Note: all prices are in Canadian dollars
I.e. anyone who has touched a steam deck
After gaming so much on the deck, going back to my Xbox elite 2 controller feels bad lol. The extra convenience of the trackpads is seriously so worth it.
Plus hopefully no stick drift and broken buttons, like I've gotten on every Xbox controller I've owned (over 10 at this point)
Niche is good. It's better to make a niche product then make an identical product to the hundreds of existing products.