this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2026
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Steam Hardware
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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.
Do you play first or third person shooter games? if you do you should give setting up the gyro a real go of it. I configure mine to only turn on when holding down L2 (aim down the sights) and it works so damned amazing compared to just thumb stick aiming for shooting stuff. Especially sniping or compensating for full auto weapons raising up. I liked using it so much on my steam deck that I had to go buy a PS5 controller to use for my PC just to get the gyro. Setting it all up correctly on your steam deck is a bit of a pain to tweak just how you like it, but well worth it. So much fun using some clapped out sniper rifle in a borderlands game with gyro aiming.
The Ultimate 2 Gyro works on PC too, at least on the Wireless version.
Update the dongle and controller firmware via the 8BitDo App then hold the B button when turning on the controller. Steam can make use of the Gyro and extra buttons directly.
Only in desktop mode when I don't have my full docked setup with real keyboard and mouse. They are IMO better than touchscreen when everything is so small (and the Deck is too heavy for holding it in one hand for a longer duration).
Same. My Gamesir Cyclone 2 is so great. I don't use the track pads at all on the Steam Deck. The 4 customisable back buttons would be useful, but not for £85. I have yet to figure out what good motion controls are in game with any controller.
But if anyone else is looking flto buy a controller this does look like a solid option.
Gyro motion controls are great for aiming in FPS games. There was a Team Fortress 2 youtuber SolarLight who used gyro aiming in a competitive setting and managed to do pretty well for himself in terms of kills. His video on it is worth a watch if you're interested.
Not too sure where else it could be useful though.
I’ve gotten so used to having the extra re-mappable buttons on the back of controllers that I won’t use one that doesn’t have them, and have even modded both of my DualSense controllers to add them. The 8bitdo controller I mentioned has ‘em, plus it has hall effect joysticks, so IMO it’s even better than the 1st party “elite” controllers and it still comes in at half the price. If I were going to make heavy use of the extra touchpads on the Steam Controller I’d definitely be buying one.
Same. I think this puts me off using the deck more undocked. Not sure if I just need to eat the pain of getting used to them but the gap versus a mouse is just so huge.