Valve's Steam Controller arrives May 4 for $99, representing 13 years of development since the original Steam Box announcement in 2013. This isn't a general PC controller—it's built exclusively for Steam, requiring you to launch games through Valve's launcher. The gamepad features two square trackpads beneath standard analog sticks and face buttons, plus four circular rear buttons.

The hardware uses TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance) joysticks for precision without drift, and delivers over 35 hours of battery life. A magnetic charging puck snaps onto the controller for wireless play, though it also supports Bluetooth and USB connections. The design feels balanced despite its bulk, with rounded edges and satisfying clicky buttons. Reviewer Sam Rutherford found the stick precision comparable to the $200 Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, though the haptics are more subtle than Sony's DualSense.

The controller works with Steam Deck and PC, but the Steam-only requirement is intentional—Valve wants to consolidate your entire library into its ecosystem, pushing non-Steam games like Overwatch and Fortnite to be added through Steam first. This positions the $99 controller as the opening move in Valve's broader hardware strategy, with the Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset still to come.