- cross-posted to:
- games@lemmit.online
- steamdeck@sopuli.xyz
- cross-posted to:
- games@lemmit.online
- steamdeck@sopuli.xyz
Edit: official blog post here
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Nice that they finally added thumbsticks. I had the original controller and hated it because they lacked that. It turned out most games did need them after all, and that weird haptic shit was a load of rubbish.
Question is, how much functionality does it keep if I pair this with a Nvidia Shield as I mostly play PC games though Sunshine/Moonlight. Using a wired Xbox 360 controller for that at the minute.
At least for now, you’ll need to run moonlight through Steam. It uses Steam for input profiles, so initially it doesn’t seem like it will do much without steam running.
The original steam controller did have linux support without steam, but we don’t know yet how/when that will carry over to the new one. I also expect valve to eventually set it to work like the steam deck’s desktop controls, where it has default desktop inputs and you can hold start to swap to a generac xbox style controller inputs. However they haven’t announced that yet and I haven’t heard it mentioned in any reviews.
I think mine does that anyway. Launches right into big picture mode at least.
I did try to get it to work with the PS5 controller, but I think having a wired Xbox 360 controller in the actual PC caused issues with old games. And I mean Tomb Raider Legend era of old. Probably better with newer titles.
the perfect uncomfy overpriced pair for the big and underpowered steam machine.
Underpowered compared to what. Apparently it’s more powerful than 50% of all computers recorded in the steam hardware survey. Not everyone has a $3,000 gaming PC
£58 seems reasonable. They seem to have the got the digits typos though, shows at £85 for me.
I was going to say the US dollar has seriously slipped if £58 is equivalent to $99. Though I could see it happening.
Is it just me or is this hella ugly?
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.
I lost the dongle to mine. i cry evry tim
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.
I always thought the old one looked like a Sega genesis controller, but with a modern button scheme.
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 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.
I was hoping they would do a transparent version, since it does kind of look like a mad cat’s controller that you give to your kid brother while you have the proper controller, really lean into it.
Although no doubt dbrand will have a skin for it.
Ngl, I also thought of that and think it would be badass. If it were that 90s clear plastic, what colors would you want the most, besides, obviously, that purple? .
I really liked the design of PS4 controller, it had a neat, small, handy feel, this looks bloated, large, idk
Unlike popular console controllers, which have games designed specifically for them, the Steam Controller was created to play games originally made for mouse and keyboard, not a controller.
The goal was to have a single controller that lets you play your entire Steam library. So it has all the buttons and axes expected by XInput-based games, but compared to the other controllers it sacrifices simplicity in favor of flexibility. It has four additional buttons on the back and dual trackpads on the front, which makes it considerably larger.
I think if you had the back buttons act as modifiers changing input layers, you could play a MMORPG with this which requires you to have 20 abilities on hotkeys. I haven’t looked into Steam Input in years, though.
Steam input is insanely powerful, and just a bit confusing. But, Valve was smart and layered on public sharing of profiles PER GAME and when you look for community profiles for a game, it shows you their popularity and age.
More dedicated buttons is always the correct second choice to proper game input design, but having a custom Steam input layer will make up for almost anything you wanted to ever throw at it; you could control an mmo with a wiimote if you were daring enough.
Still waiting for a reliable review source to talk about the dpad.
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.
Ah, then yeah let’s hope it’s a bit better.
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.
I’ve had my steam deck LCD and then OLED from the start. I absolutely love those 4 paddles on the underside and the gyro customization you can do. Setting those paddles up to do things like reload or throw grenades or whatever is just so much nicer than taking your thumb off a thumb stick or reaching up at R1 and L1. Right now I’m mostly just playing Enter The Gungeon and I set my back paddles up to release, flip tables, and dodge roll. I’d hate not having those paddles, so this will certainly be my next controller purchase. Bonus points to it that LinusTT was a bit of a bitch boy about the controller.
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
Looks uncomfortable?
Go with 8bitdo.
Correction: MAY 4th.
Oops yeah, thanks for the catch. Fixed now.
You’re welcome.
Ah, Star wars day. Gaben; you’re a fucking nerd, and I love you for it.
May the fourth
be with you!
And altho with you.
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.
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
10almost 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.
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!
Oh well that makes me feel much better as I’m still holding on to like $200 from Christmas so that shouldnt be an issue, gonna get the preloaded on the 4th so all I have to do is hit refresh, gonna do an internet speed test to see if the college WiFi or my hotspot is faster (prolly my hotspot)
Gotta prep
$150 CAD is gonna be an instant wait for sale from me, dawg.
Likewise. Its 1/3 of what a deck has sold for.
In actual conversion it should’ve been 135 not 150
The overly inflated price for Canada and tax up to 15% in some provinces on top of that… 170$ basically.
Is shipping free at least?
