Gaming: Steam Controller Re-review: A Fresh Look At Valve's Flawed But...

Valve made a brave move with the launch of its Steam Controller in 2015. It's a pad designed for PC gaming on the sofa, and it removed the right thumbstick of a traditional controller and replaced it with a mouse-aping trackpad. With another trackpad on the left-hand side in place of the d-pad, you're dual-wielding... and stuck with a high learning curve and a pretty ugly look. However, some have sworn it's the way to go, once you're used to it, and I've had what I can only describe as a morbid curiosity ever since.

It's fair to say that we at PC Gamer have never been the biggest fans of the Steam Controller, either. We got the chance to try it at GDC in 2014, where we said, "I would've absolutely had more fun and been more effective with an Xbox 360 controller."

We then got to test it for its official launch the following year and were, again, not that impressed. We also weren't that into the idea of a second one back in 2022, though we did admit the Steam Deck owes its great controls to the controller.

In fairness, with Valve eventually selling the controller for just $5 by the end of its life, it seems like the general controller-wielding masses weren't massively moved by it either. But with the controller just recently celebrating its ten-year anniversary, and Valve unveiling a Steam Controller follow-up, I thought now was the perfect time to give it the 'ol college try.

Compatibility: Windows 10 and 11, Mac, SteamOSConnectivity: Wireless and wiredThumbstick layout: Just the oneWeight: 286 gramsDimensions: 120 x 160 x 64.2 mmPrice: $50 (at launch)

The Steam Controller doesn't sell itself very well from the second it gets picked up. With the sunken side and lack of a right thumbstick, it reminds me of those old mockup concepts of the Xbox 720 you'd find back in 2010. Moving past the looks, there's a noticeable clack to most of its buttons. The bumpers are probably the worst culprit for this, but no button is particularly nice-feeling.

They emit a notable ping on the inside when pressed that feels like the hardware geek equivalent of grinding your teeth. This ping is distinctly loud in the trackpads at a normal controller distance, but the rest of them aren't too loud in that regard. However, it's still a consideration I've had to make, which I don't for most controllers.

Occasionally, the bumpers rattle just a little when I take my finger off, too, which is one of many signs the controller just isn't that well built. It feels very plastic-heavy i

Source: PC Gamer