An appetizer for Steam Machines
I’m incredibly excited about the launch of Steam Machines, which we still hope will arrive in 2026. Now we know what the appetizer is, the tasty Steam Controller. It launches in the US and Europe on May 4, but no concrete news about Norway yet.
Why launch the controller well before the rest of the Steam Machines lineup, you ask? Well, this one doesn’t need RAM, and is simply much easier to get out the door.
…but is it coming to Norway?
As I write this, I have checked as best I can with Valve’s press folks, and rest assured, dear reader, I will update this story THE MOMENT I get a reply.
If we look at Valve’s previous product launches, like the Steam Deck, it was only available via grey import through the UK, or because some Norwegian retailers took on the work of providing Norwegian consumer rights themselves without official channels.
Couch co-op with two Steam Controllers paired to the same puck. / Credit: YouTube, Valve
Some reviews are live
A few lucky outlets have already had early access to the freshly minted Steam Controller. Even though it looks a bit thick and chunky in pictures, several mention that it’s smooth and good to use in practice, even for those with smaller hands.
Inputs and features
Valve has packed in quite a lot here, and it’s clear that this is a controller built to last, with functionality you won’t find on the DualSense or the Xbox controller.
The press release lists:
- Two TMR thumbsticks. Magnetic technology (same principle as hall-effect, just a different sensor) which should give better precision and longer life. It should also eliminate the drift problems that have plagued a number of controllers. They also have capacitive touch, which can be used for many things, including activating gyro aiming, or things like pausing the game when you put the controller down.
- Two pressure-sensitive trackpads with haptic feedback. You can adjust how hard you have to press to get a “click”, and they work as mouse input in games not built for controller.
- 6-axis gyro for aim, combined with a new feature Valve calls Grip Sense, which activates gyro aiming based on how you hold the controller. This will be exciting.
- Rear grip buttons, bumpers, triggers, face buttons, and dedicated Steam and Quick Access buttons.
Polling rate and latency
The Steam Controller is wireless, and prefers to connect via the puck that ships in the box (more on that below). Valve states 4 ms polling rate and roughly 8 ms end-to-end latency over 2.4 GHz, tested at five meters. Bluetooth and USB-C are also supported, if you’d rather connect it directly to a PC or a Steam Deck.
4 ms equals 250 Hz, which is lower than what we see at the top end of mice, keyboards and other controllers today. Maybe that isn’t enough for hyper-competitive play, or is it? I’m still not entirely sure which polling rate we actually need for what. The Steam Controller is intended to drive a machine from the couch, and for that purpose this is more than enough.
The Steam Controller in hand. / Credit: Valve
Dual trackpads
The dual trackpads are also clever. They work in a way that’s similar to a mouse, and let you drive mouse-style input in games where you need it. For FPS, puzzle games, point-and-click and “deckbuilders” (I’m looking at you, Slay the Spire 2).
We can assume the trackpads will work much like on the Steam Deck, and many people like them there.
Magnetic wireless dongle (the puck)
The wireless dongle is also pretty ingenious. Valve calls it “the puck”, and it’s both a 2.4 GHz receiver and a magnetic charging dock. It snaps onto the back of the controller through the magic of magnets, and charges the controller while it sits there. I love magnets, and I love solutions like this.
The puck also supports up to four controllers at once, so if you have two or three people on the couch playing co-op, one receiver is all you need.
The puck snaps onto the back of the controller. / Credit: Valve
Battery
Valve states an 8.39 Wh Li-ion battery and 35+ hours of play on a charge. Used together with the Steam Frame and its tracking, it drains a bit faster. Charging happens either over USB-C or by simply snapping it magnetically onto the puck.
Steam Input and compatibility
The Steam Controller of course uses Steam Input, so all inputs can be remapped per game, and you get access to the community library of layouts that already exist there.
The compatibility list is broad: Steam Deck, Steam Machine, Steam Frame, Steam Link and any device running Steam, including Windows, macOS and Linux.
Steam Controller on a PC rig, exactly as Valve envisioned it. / Credit: Valve
Price and wrap-up
The only numbers we have to go on are 99 dollars / 99 euros / 85 pounds.
In Norwegian kroner I’d guess this lands around 1100-1200 NOK including VAT, if and when it comes here. That makes it cheaper than the high-end pads from Sony and Microsoft, or other 3rd parties.
I’m very excited about Valve’s hardware launching this year, and especially curious whether it will make its way to Norway.
I’ll update the page with more info when I know more.
See Valve’s press release on Steam here.
Check out Valve’s official video below.
