Valve’s New Steam Controller Is Dropping This May

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Summary

  • Valve returns to the living room with a modernized successor to its original 2015 controller
    The updated layout adopts a button configuration closer to the Steam Deck while retaining the signature dual trackpads
    Hardware shortages for the upcoming Steam Machine forced the brand to launch the controller as a standalone release

Valve announced today that the new Steam Controller will be available worldwide starting May 4th. It costs $99 and is designed to work with any computer or mobile device running Steam, offering players a way to customize how they control their games. This launch is the first step in Valve’s plans to release more new hardware in 2026.

Valve’s journey with creating hardware has been a gradual and interesting one. Their first attempt, the 2015 Steam Controller, was a bold idea to bring PC gaming to your living room. Although the Steam Machines themselves weren’t a big success, the controller gained a loyal following thanks to its clever and customizable design. Now, with the huge popularity of the Steam Deck, Valve is building on that experience. The new Steam Controller takes what worked well on the Deck – like a second thumbstick and a console-like layout – and combines it with the original controller’s signature trackpads, creating a truly unique and improved device.

The Steam Controller is just one part of Valve’s bigger plan. The company intends for it to work with the still-unreleased Steam Machine console and the Steam Frame VR headset. Valve’s hardware engineer, Steve Cardinali, explained that rising costs of memory and storage delayed both devices, leading them to release the controller first since it doesn’t rely on these components. For now, the controller keeps things moving by offering features like customizable controls similar to the Steam Deck, easy repair options thanks to iFixit, and battery life tracking, all while fans wait for the full Steam ecosystem to launch.

The Valve Steam Controller drops May 4 via the Steam Store.

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2026-04-30 10:55