Steam Hardware

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

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.

Ah, Star wars day. Gaben; you're a fucking nerd, and I love you for it.

Oops yeah, thanks for the catch. Fixed now.

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?

Likewise. Its 1/3 of what a deck has sold for.

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.

designed for HTPC control

If you want more than gaming (like YouTube), wouldn't it make more sense to get a wireless keyboard with an integrated touchpad, like the recently announced Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard?

I have an OG Steam Controller as well as a Steam Deck and I never ever thought to myself that for HTPC tasks would I want a controller in my had over a good wireless keyboard and mouse/touchpad.

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.

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.

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.

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.

be with you!

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!

Seems so. Would make sense too, as Valve has reportedly already received a lot of stock.

I see the same thing when I look at the store page, but in my wishlist I see a release date (adjusted to my timezone)

Theyre pairing with ifixit, so you'll be able to replace it.

Also, on the flipside, I'm upset the Frame controllers will use AA batteries because you won't be able to recharge them and will have to fuck with AA batteries, lol

Watch the Gamers’ Nexus video on the controller. Looks like the battery is extremely easy to replace. Remove a few screws, pop the back of the controller off, and pop the battery out of its housing. No glue or adhesive afaik

The old configuration menu was better, the original one before Big Picture got the revamp for the Steam Deck. The new one looks less intimidating at a glance, but is way harder to navigate and requires far more steps to do what the old one could do quite simply.

I don't like the 99,- price either, but the joy cons are too expensive even when compared to that, imho. I love the idea of them but wow are those ever uncomfortable for me, it just feels like a different class to me.

I also loved the OG Xbox BIG CHUNGUS, so, you know, different tastes for different people

Oof, 25 CAD more than a Joy Con 2 and 35 CAD less than a XB Core 2

There a fine 8bitdo game pads that are less fancy but work really well for way less. https://www.8bitdo.com/ultimate-2c-wireless-controller/ is a good deal, especially for people who are tight on money or simply don't play that often to care for higher end stuff.

Almost certainly not natively. It might have a fallback to an XInput mode, in which case it could work with an adapter (but without the back buttons, gyro etc).