Still waiting for a reliable review source to talk about the dpad.
this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2026
407 points (99.3% liked)
Steam Hardware
21912 readers
576 users here now
A place to discuss and support all Steam Hardware, including Steam Deck, Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and SteamOS in general.
As Lemmy doesn't have flairs yet, you can use these prefixes to indicate what type of post you have made, eg:
[Flair] My post title
The following is a list of suggested flairs:
[Deck] - Steam Deck related.
[Machine] - Steam Machine related.
[Frame] - Steam Frame related.
[Discussion] - General discussion.
[Help] - A request for help or support.
[News] - News about the deck.
[PSA] - Sharing important information.
[Game] - News / info about a game on the deck.
[Update] - An update to a previous post.
[Meta] - Discussion about this community.
If your post is only relevant to one hardware device (Deck/Machine/Frame/etc) please specify which one as part of the title or by using a device flair.
These are not enforced, but they are encouraged.
Rules:
- Follow the rules of Sopuli
- Posts must be related to Steam Hardware or Steam OS in an obvious way.
- No piracy, there are other communities for that.
- Discussion of emulators are allowed, but no discussion on how to illegally acquire ROMs.
- This is a place of civil discussion, no trolling.
- Have fun.
founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
If it's anything like the steam deck it's fine, if a bit stiff.
I have a Steam Deck and, as much as I love it, it has one of the worst dpads I've ever used. This is why I'm skeptical.
£58 seems reasonable. They seem to have the got the digits typos though, shows at £85 for me.
Looks uncomfortable?
Is it just me or is this hella ugly?
I personally don't think it's ugly, just plain, maybe. And while I would say "you don't watch your hands while you game", I do like a classy and/or nice looking controller. I kind of wish Valve would decide on a more striking look, but I suppose this look IS a statement of their values and priorities.
It is. But that's the compromise for trackpads.
The important question is; does it feel good to game on?
i think the Steam Controller (2015) incorporated the track pads and had a good aesthetic. Really, all it needed was a real d-pad.
That old thing had just one analogue stick, and like you said, no D-Pad.
The new steam controller has the same layout as the Deck, sacrificing no button or input options.
I disagree, I've always thought it was pretty ugly. Too bulbous looking. The new one looks like a "normal" controller, but oversized to accommodate the track pads. Still not a looker, but at least it isn't so bulbous. Also, glossy plastic can smd.
Need that steam machine. Says the controller can wake it up without the puck plugged in. That's just what I need for a TV PC gaming machine
Go with 8bitdo.
I thought I was going to pass on it, but now I'm kinda hyped to replace one of my aging xbox controllers with this one.
As someone who spent $150-$200 on the Xbox Elite controller just to get the rear paddles, $100 for this with the rear buttons and the track pads seems like no problem at all. Imo it's incredibly fairly priced as compared to the competition, considering the features and emphasis on repairability.
Sounds like you're a sucker who falls for scams
Sounds like you don't know what a scam is. A scam is when something is promised but not delivered, not when you think something is overpriced.
Sounds like you need to brush up on the definition of a scam.
Overcharging for something that's clearly identified isn't a scam, and your idea of what qualifies as "overcharging" isn't universal.
You sound like you're butthurt about others having disposable income and choosing one product over a cheaper option. I've had my elite controller for 5+ years. There are cheaper options out there but the elite is the most comfortable controller for my hands.
If you are playing games where trackpads are useful, there's not really another option, so it's automatically a good value. I know my steam deck experience would have been a whole lot worse without those, and I would probably never consider a gaming handheld without them. But for the gaming I do with an xbox controller, I currently just use it for some video games at my computer (where I have access to a mouse anyways), and maybe split screen with family. I think my Gamesir Cyclone 2 controller (at half the price) is an unambiguously better deal for that, in the premium controller space. If I were using it mostly for couch gaming, that might put the Steam controller in a better position, or if I were mostly playing games that support whatever haptic trigger things Sony has, that controller might be in a better position.
One of the other more unique features is the tracking in the Steam Frame. It would be cool if they could standardize that sort of thing so it would work with other headsets. I wonder if they've considered that.
load more comments
(1 replies)
Just for fun fact and history, the introduction videos for the first Steam Controller and the new one on Valve's channel (direct YouTube links and the Invidious alternative:
- Introducing the Steam Controller Published on Jun 4, 2015: YouTube or Invidious
- Steam Controller: Official Overview and Quick Start Guide Published on Apr 27, 2026: YouTube or Invidious
It's been ~~10~~ almost 11 years. (Edit: Apparently I can't do simple math.)
The old video is so much better. Showing why this controller is different. Feels like a missed opportunity.
AUD price is pretty much right at the limit of what I'd be willing to pay (150 AUD). I'll probably wait a bit though, as I'm not playing many trackpad required games at the moment.
looks great, but I’ve been pretty damn happy with my 8bitdo Ultimate 2 which goes for ~$55 US. I use it on the PC and the rare occasion I fire up my Switch. I have no doubt Valve will make the Steam Controller an excellent piece of kit, but going by what’s been released I’m not sold on it being worth almost 2x.
The 8bitdo controller doesn’t have capacitive touchpads and motion control only works on the Switch, but I’m not entirely sure I’d get much use from those features on the Steam Controller. I never use the capacitive touchpads on my SteamDeck, and gyro control has never been more than a gimmick when I’ve used it on other systems/controllers like the DualSense. I use it more for quicker character selection on an on-screen keyboard than in games. For people who DO make use of those features constantly, maybe the extra value is there.
I have the 8bitdo Ultimate 2 and I'm still gonna get this (eventually, once I get a gaming PC), because the dpad is pretty bad for precise 2D games. And the back buttons don't gel with me as nicely.
The main problem is that I'm using it for waking Switch 2 and I doubt the Steam Controller could do that, but if it's easy to customise, someone out there might make it work. If that's the case, instant buy.
Yeah, I definitely think how much you value this controller is directly proportional to how much of the full Steam Deck control scheme you use. As a heavy user of the Deck's touchpads to the point I'll never consider another handheld without them, this is still a day one purchase for me even at $99, but I'm not going to recommend it to anyone without huge caveats.
load more comments
(9 replies)
i know this is gonna get buried under the other 143 comments, but i just need to vent excitment, FUUUUUUUCK YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Im gonna be in class during the launch so i really hope lecture doesnt go over anything important when im ordering it. Oh my god im so excited i can hardly contain it, there are some games I wanted to play only on my deck cus they worked better with controller
I am a little worried that if i dont get it right as it lauches im gonna miss it, but at least my one fear of it being dropped at like 6 am or something has been put to rest
In case you haven't already, preload your Steam Wallet and make sure to account for any tax. As someone who got my Steam Deck order in the first 15 minutes it dropped, payment processing was the biggest barrier then. They might have fixed it since, but they also might not have. Good luck!
load more comments
(1 replies)
Anyone knows if it's quieter than a standard xbox one controller? Maybe it's comperative to deck controls?
I'm asking because I avoid using a controller as it upsets my family with all the clicking and clacking.
I can't test it exactly right now as I'm on vacation, but from memory the 8BitDo Ultimate 2c is significantly quieter, and also more precise and long-lasting thanks to hall effect sticks. I got one for 21 bucks, it's really solid.
No idea about the buttons but the joystick ought to not be loud. Check the video reviews if you want to judge how it sounds
$100 is steep. I've been exited to use this controller for my Bazzite system, and I was mentally prepared to pay ~$75 for it, but I really wasn't expecting it to be as expensive as it is.
With that said, I'll probably still be buying one. Because while there are other good (and cheaper) controllers out there, this is the only one with dual trackpads and that's been designed for HTPC control.
I figured it would be at least $100. PS5 controllers are like $70, and this has 4 paddles, bigger battery, magnetic charger\high speed dongle, touch sensors, track pads, and the thumb sticks are like 2 generations ahead of sonys.
It's more like a cheaply priced "pro controller" than an expensive normal controller.
load more comments
(2 replies)
Available for purchase May 4th, 10AM Pacific
Does this mean there will be no preorder? It will go for sale on that date and ship immediately?
load more comments
(4 replies)
view more: next ›