Valve officially launches the new Steam Controller on the market in May, attracting attention from the gaming community. While the Steam Machine is still a long time coming, the new gamepad is already in the starting blocks. At a price of 99 euros, the controller is clearly positioned above classic console gamepads, but offers several unusual functions. In particular, the magnetic Steam Controller Puck, the familiar trackpads from the Steam Deck and the TMR analog sticks should noticeably improve the gaming experience on PC, Mac and Steam Deck.
- Market launch from May 4 in the first regions, price in Germany: 99 euros
- Magnetic Steam Controller Puck serves as a charger and low-latency receiver
- Two square trackpads make it easier to control games without controller support
- TMR analog sticks without stick drift and battery with up to 35 hours of runtime
Steam Controller relies on flexible controls instead of the classic standard
The new Steam Controller differs significantly from classic gamepads such as the Sony DualSense or the Xbox controller. Valve has once again opted for two square trackpads, which are already familiar from the Steam Deck. These enable more precise control of mouse pointers and make strategy games, role-playing games or older PC titles in particular more comfortable to play, even if they do not have full controller support.
In addition, the gamepad has four freely programmable back buttons that can be customized via Steam. This allows the controls to be flexibly adapted to different genres. Grip sensors are also integrated: they recognize touch and can activate motion controls, which is particularly advantageous for gyro-aiming or fast reaction games.
Another technical highlight are the built-in TMR analog sticks. These work with magnetic scanning and should therefore be significantly more durable than classic analog sticks. The well-known problem of stick drift, which causes frustration with many modern controllers, should therefore be practically eliminated. Haptic feedback is also part of the features and provides a more direct gaming experience.
Steam Controller Puck makes the difference when loading and connecting
The new Steam Controller Puck, which is already included in the scope of delivery, is particularly striking. This small accessory fulfills two functions. On the one hand, the puck can be magnetically attached to the back of the controller and then serves as a charging unit. This makes charging more convenient and visually much more elegant than with classic docking stations.
On the other hand, the puck acts as a wireless receiver with particularly low latency. A stable and fast connection is particularly important for competitive games. Alternatively, the controller can also be connected via Bluetooth or classic USB-C, which allows maximum flexibility in use.
Valve states that the Steam Controller is compatible with all devices that run Steam. This includes not only the planned Steam Machine and Steam Deck, but also Windows PCs and Macs. With a weight of 292 grams and an 8.39 Wh battery, a runtime of up to 35 hours should be achieved – a solid value for longer gaming sessions without constant recharging.
However, the comparatively high price of 99 euros is likely to trigger discussions. In a direct comparison, the controller is significantly more expensive than many competing products, but tries to justify this with innovation and versatility.
Conclusion
The Steam Controller starts at an ambitious price, but offers some truly unique features. Above all, the Steam Controller Puck, the precise trackpads and the durable TMR sticks set the device apart from classic gamepads. For gamers who frequently use PC titles with complex controls, the investment could be worthwhile. Sales start on May 4, and the official price in Germany is 99 euros including the puck and USB-C charging cable.
