Steam Hardware

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.

Loved my elite series 2 until the covering started peeling off the back plate. Replaced the back plate but something is off and it now loses power/connection when not plugged in. Spent $30 on the replacement back shell. Then I spent $30 on an 8bitdo that works well enough. I never used the back paddles on the elite, they were too easy to accidentally trigger, so I din't miss them.

Oops yeah, thanks for the catch. Fixed now.

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.

be with you!

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.

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 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.

It is. But that's the compromise for trackpads.

The important question is; does it feel good to game on?

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.