The Steam Controller is Here

The new Steam Controller is presented as a significant advancement, particularly for dedicated fans of the original Steam Controller who have waited for a follow-up. While it retains the core concept of its predecessor, it offers numerous improvements. For others, it's an enigmatic device that bridges traditional PC gaming and living room setups, distinct from anything else on the market. The controller features a standard symmetrical layout with expected buttons and sticks, plus additional buttons familiar from the Steam Deck, designed for navigating Steam OS and Steam Big Picture. Below these are the multi-purpose trackpads, highlighted as a key feature. In terms of physical feel, the plastic body is described as "just okay," feeling less premium than first-party offerings from major competitors. A surprising design choice is the placement of screw holes on the bottom, where fingers might rest, though this could be an intentional nod to repairability, as Valve has confirmed continued partnership with iFixit for replacement parts. Ergonomically, the controller has some drawbacks. While Valve adjusted the handle angle compared to the Steam Deck, it's noted that the change wasn't sufficient for all preferences, making it feel more like holding an 8-bit Dough controller than an Xbox controller. The thumb sticks are also a bit of a reach for those with smaller hands, and their positioning can lead to "thumb kissing" for those who prefer a flat thumb grip. Despite these minor complaints, the thumb sticks themselves are well-featured. They are compared to an Xbox controller's sticks, with similar raised textured edges and a flat, smooth middle for landmarking position and maintaining traction. A unique feature is the capacitive sensors in both tops, which can activate or deactivate six-axis motion controls. The most significant innovation in the joysticks, however, lies beneath the surface. The face buttons are similar to an Xbox controller, with a soft, quiet rubber membrane that might appeal to late-night gamers. The less clicky bumper, however, might be more appealing to PlayStation gamers. The triggers offer adequate resistance but lack the rumble of Xbox triggers or the adaptive resistance of the Dual Sense. They also don't have a toggle for short or long travel, nor the two-stage activation of the original Steam Controller, which is noted as a potential disappointment for its original users. A strong point of the controller is the tactility of the four paddle buttons on the back. These are praised for their easy access and stiff enough design to allow intentional presses without interfering with grip. Sensors within the grip itself also provide another way to activate the six-axis gyroscope. Valve's open approach to hardware configuration is evident in the Steam Controller and Steam Input, allowing users to configure almost any control scheme, even in games without native remapping support. Community configurations are also available. Gyro aiming is highlighted as a "game changer," especially for keyboard and mouse users, with the flexibility to activate it via grip sensors or other means being a significant advantage. The charging pins connect to an included wireless 2.4 GHz puck, which doubles as a charging dock. This thoughtful design eliminates the need for constant unplugging and plugging of a Type-C cable, reducing wear and tear. Setup is simple, involving plugging in a Type-A to Type-C cable, attaching it magnetically, and pressing the Steam button. The system supports wireless firmware updates and up to four Steam controllers paired to a single puck, allowing for multiple charging locations or connections to additional PCs. The haptic trackpads are described as Valve's best yet, moving away from the "alien eye" design of the original Steam Controller to the flatter, squarer design of the Steam Deck. These trackpads are crucial for navigating experiences not optimized for controllers and even playing games that don't natively support controllers. Examples are given of users binding gestures to trackpads for natural input schemes. The controller's ability to allow playing traditionally non-controller-friendly games like Ano (an RTS) from the couch is demonstrated as intuitive, even if playing an entire game without a mouse and keyboard might not be preferred for all "fussy" games. This functionality makes the Steam Controller a unique and potentially solid value proposition. For genres requiring precise button presses, like platformers, opinions on the ABXY buttons are mixed. While not "mushy," their softness makes them less responsive than some clickier alternatives. However, the joysticks are praised for their low latency and pleasant use, performing well in lab tests for input latency, comparable to competitively geared controllers. The D-pad, however, receives a less favorable review, with a preference expressed for the Steam Deck's D-pad. In terms of haptics, while haptic triggers are absent, the controller's overall haptic feedback is strong, surpassing the Steam Deck and the original Steam Controller. The triggers, however, remain "unexciting," not contributing to a loss of control but also not enhancing immersion. Gyro aiming is again praised for its effectiveness in shooters, allowing for macro and fine adjustments, and the customization options in Steam Input allow gyro aiming to be assigned to any game with mouse support, even for non-Steam controllers. A key hidden feature of the Steam Controller 2 is its TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) joysticks. Unlike Hall effect joysticks, which use magnets to avoid wear and drift but have high power draw, TMR joysticks offer outstanding precision, great reliability, and low power draw, combining the advantages of both Hall effect and traditional potentiometer joysticks. Comparing the Steam Controller to other popular controllers, like the Gameser Cyclone 2, the Steam Controller's pairing process is noted as simpler. The controller performs similarly to the Gameser in circularity accuracy in lab tests, though with a different response curve, which is a matter of personal preference. Battery life is another strong point, with lab tests simulating regular use with haptics showing over 37 hours of continuous gaming. This is excellent news for fans of the original Steam Controller. The new Steam Controller is seen as a solid solution for those looking to replace a basic living room keyboard and mouse setup. However, its value proposition as a traditional controller is questioned due to its $100 price point. While acknowledged as a "good controller," it's noted that two other popular controllers could be purchased for the same price. The price is a significant concern for potential buyers, with a hypothetical $60 price making it a day-one purchase, $80 a two-week consideration, and $100 a deterrent. Valve's perspective is that the price reflects the hardware and engineering, which is understandable, but the "feeling" of the controller compared to competitors like the Dual Sense, which offers similar value in features, is considered less premium. A theory is proposed that the $100 price might be intended to make the Steam Machine appear as a better value by including a "premium" controller.