Valve will begin sales of the Steam Controller on May 4, with a price tag of $99. The new device will support Bluetooth but is exclusively compatible with Steam games.
The launch of the Steam Controller marks a significant update for Valve, showcasing a redesign that includes relocated trackpads, a dedicated D-pad, and an additional thumbstick. This design mirrors the layout of the Steam Deck, allowing for optimization with numerous games.
The Steam Controller features a magnetic charging puck that acts as both a wireless adapter and a wired connection with a USB-C port. While the pricing is higher than most wireless PC controllers, the inclusion of trackpads may justify the cost for some users.
Notably, the Steam Controller’s functionality is limited to Steam, excluding compatibility with non-Steam PC games and native Android applications. Users can connect to devices via Bluetooth but cannot utilize it for other Android games.
Despite these limitations, the Steam Controller is anticipated to gain popularity, especially in conjunction with Valve’s upcoming hardware launches, including the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, for which release dates have not yet been announced.
