Valve's new controller has been the subject of rumors for weeks, but now the conversation has focused almost entirely on one key detail: The leaked price of the next-generation Steam ControllerFollowing several reviews published ahead of time and activity in Valve-affiliated stores, the gaming community is practically taking for granted how much the peripheral will cost and that its official presentation is just around the corner.
According to these leaks, the device is designed as a mid-range premium controller primarily aimed at desktop navigationDesigned for those who use PC and SteamOS for both gaming and navigating the system without a keyboard and mouse, its approach is therefore somewhat different from traditional console controllers, and this is reflected in its price tag.
The leaked price of the new Steam Controller
The big question was how much this new Valve peripheral was going to cost, and all indications are that the answer has already leaked ahead of time: €99 as the official price in EuropeThis figure comes from a review published in advance by the YouTube channel Techy Talk, which had access to the controller and commercial information before the announcement.
In the Techy Talk piece, withdrawn shortly afterwards but captured and re-uploaded by several usersA price of $99 was mentioned for the United States. Various industry sources, as well as subsequent articles and leaks, assume that in the European market the price will be... RRP €99, following the usual 1:1 conversion policy for this type of product.
This positioning places the Steam Controller above standard console controllers: about €25 more expensive than the PlayStation 5 DualSense and around €35 more than the basic Xbox Wireless ControllerHowever, it falls far short of the most advanced models on the market, such as the DualSense Edge or the Xbox Elite Series 2, which typically cost around... €199 in European stores.
The price difference, according to these initially embargoed reviews, is due to the fact that Valve's new controller It does not directly compete with standard padsInstead, it positions itself as an intermediate option: more expensive than the controllers included with the consoles, but also more specialized for desktop browsing, PC gaming, and integration with SteamOS and Steam Deck.
Initial reactions from the community reveal a clear division. Some users expected a cost closer to the 60-70 €similar to that of conventional console controllers, while others consider that the The €99 price tag is justified by the trackpad technology. and the elements inherited from the Valve ecosystem. Discussions on social media and forums clearly reflect this clash of perceptions.
A controller designed for desktop navigation
Beyond the price, the leak has helped to better define the product's philosophy. The various early reviews agree in presenting the new Steam Controller as a hybrid between a traditional gamepad and PC control tool, designed for those who alternate between games, desktop and multimedia applications from the sofa.
The most striking feature is the inclusion of two large front trackpads, an element that was already seen in the original Steam Controller from 2015 and in the Steam deckbut refined for this new iteration. By default, the The right trackpad controls the cursorfunctioning as a direct replacement for the mouse, while the The left side is mainly used for displacement. vertical and horizontal in windows, web pages or game lists.
Analysts and testers who have had the controller in their hands indicate that, after a few minutes of adaptation, The panels feel surprisingly natural to move around Windows or SteamOS, so that many common actions — opening the library, navigating menus or managing the Steam store — can be performed without touching a physical mouse.
Although trackpads are not intended to completely replace a mouse in competitive gaming, the general impression is that They offer precision and versatility far exceeding that of traditional analog sticks. for desktop tasks. This fits with the idea that the controller is intended as central peripheral of a PC connected to the TV or from devices running SteamOS, including the Steam Deck itself.
The leaked tests also show the analyst using the controller to to control a laptop quite smoothlyopening programs, navigating through documents, and adjusting system parameters. This visual demonstration has reinforced the perception that Valve, with this device, seeks to strengthen its commitment to the living room as a natural space for PC gaming.
Dual trackpads, TMR sticks and other hardware improvements
There are also significant changes inside the controller. One of the key new features is the use of sticks with TMR detection technologySpecifically designed to prevent the dreaded drift that plagues so many current console controllers, TMR sensors eliminate traditional mechanical parts for motion detection. much more resistant to wear.
This technical advancement is perceived as a significant advantage over conventional pads, and leaked reviews mention that The joysticks feel smooth, precise, and have no dead zones.For players who have experienced drift issues on other devices, this detail could be a deciding factor when considering the €99 price tag.
Another highlight is the presence of a Larger D-pad with a "clicky" feelHailed as an improvement over Valve's previous-generation controller, this new D-pad, while still focused on the Steam ecosystem, aims to facilitate genres such as 2D fighting games, traditional platformers, or retro titleswhere the crossbar remains essential.
The controller will also integrate a gyroscope for motion control and a haptic vibration system, features inherited from other devices by the company. The vibration is described as more more refined and detailed than that of a basic console controllerHowever, the leaked analyses do not go so far as to equate it with the most advanced features of the DualSense in titles specifically developed for it.
On the back you can see four additional paddle buttonsdesigned to assign quick actions without having to take your fingers off the face buttons or sticks. This configuration is similar to that offered by high-end esports controllers, although in this case The same level of physical customization is not included. than in the professional models from Sony and Microsoft.
Magnetic charging base and wireless connectivity
One striking detail that is repeated in several leaks is the inclusion of a wireless dongle that also acts as a magnetic charging baseThe idea is that the user only has to place the controller on a small disc to start charging, without additional cables or bulky docks.
This disk, connected to the PC or the corresponding SteamOS console, would serve as dedicated wireless bridgeguaranteeing a stable, low-latency connection. In this sense, the approach is reminiscent of the specific USB adapters used by some professional controllers to reduce interference and improve responsiveness in competitive gaming.
From a comfort standpoint, this solution allows largely forget about cable managementSimply place the controller down after finishing your session to recharge it, which is especially useful if you use the Steam Controller as your main device in the living room.
However, it's not all advantages. Preliminary analyses point out that absence of a 3,5 mm audio connectorThis means that the headset will have to be connected directly to the PC, the Steam Deck, or the device linked to the Steam account. For some users accustomed to plugging headsets directly into the controller, this decision may feel like a step backward.
It is also mentioned that the casing has a rough plastic finish that, despite its robust appearance, can feel somewhat slippery After a while of intense use, the grips wore down, precisely because they lacked rubber handles. It's not a serious flaw, but it's a detail that some testers have pointed out.
Comparison with other controllers: reasonable price or too high?
With all of the above on the table, the big question for many users remains whether The leaked €99 price tag aligns with what the Steam Controller offers.To put the figure into context, it is worth comparing it with what is currently on the shelves in Spain and the rest of Europe.
In the most common section, a PS5 DualSense or an Xbox Wireless controller Depending on the offer, they range around €60-70. This means that the new Valve controller It is clearly superior to standard pads in price, without reaching the cost of the high-end models.
It is precisely in that upper segment where they appear DualSense Edge and the Xbox Elite Series 2which cost around €180-€200 in many European stores. Compared to that, the €99 Steam Controller seems more reasonable, although it should be noted that those "pro" controllers include features such as interchangeable sticks, adjustable trigger stops, or mechanical microswitches in some buttons, features that Valve's new device does not offer.
Player opinions gathered on social media accurately reflect this duality. Some users believe that "99 dollars isn't so bad" and that the price is reasonable Taking into account everything it offers: dual trackpads, drift-proof TMR sticks, back buttons, and better Steam integration. Others, however, see the price as an obstacle and claim that "100 bucks is asking for too much."arguing that a cost closer to €60 would have made the product more attractive to the general public.
In any case, the controller's intermediate positioning leaves Sony and Microsoft in a curious situation: on the one hand, Their standard controllers are cheaper, but offer fewer PC-specific features.On the other hand, their high-end versions practically double the price without providing elements such as trackpads or the desktop navigation focus that distinguishes Valve's offering.
Leaks, stores, and clues about an imminent release
If all this information makes one thing clear, it's that Valve isn't being particularly discreet. with the launch preparations underway. Beyond Techy Talk's early review, small technical and commercial clues have been accumulating that point in the same direction: The official announcement of the new Steam Controller is expected very soon..
Days before the price was openly discussed, some data miners detected the appearance of a unboxing video marked as privateThis type of content is located using tracking tools like SteamDB. It is typically uploaded to the backend when a company is preparing promotional material, advertisements, or distribution campaigns.
Additionally, the controller page in Komodo Station, Valve's authorized Asian distributorIt began to show signs of unusual activity: uploading new graphic resources, internal references to the product, and mentions of a launch such as independent device, separate from the future Steam MachineAll of this fits with the movements that are usually seen when a hardware product is in the final stage before being released to the market.
Meanwhile, several technology media outlets mistakenly published analysis of the command before the scheduled date, only to later remove or modify them. In some cases, such as with Techy Talk, the content was rescued by users and shared on third-party video platforms, leaving little chance for the material to disappear completely.
In addition, according to various screenshots shared on social media, Japanese media outlets such as 4Gamer have reportedly mentioned a very specific release date and time. for the Steam Controller, indicating May 4th at 15:00 PM (Japanese time) as the designated date. Although these messages were quickly deleted, they further fueled the feeling that the schedule had already been set internally.
Relationship with Steam Machine and the Valve ecosystem
The new controller wasn't released in isolation. Valve announced it at the time within a hardware package that also included the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame VR headsetThe initial idea was to present everything as a cohesive ecosystem, but the plans have been altered by various factors.
Among them, the leaks point to a shortage and increased cost of memory and storage componentswhich would have complicated the production and launch of the Steam Machine. This context would have led the company to separate the controller's calendar from the console's calendarallowing the Steam Controller to reach the market sooner.
In practice, that would mean the new controller will initially be marketed as Standalone product for PC users, Steam Deck or systems with SteamOSwithout having to wait for the Steam Machine to be ready. Commercially, this makes sense: the controller can function as Gateway to the Valve ecosystem in the living roomeven for those who do not plan to buy the console.
Early reviews from Techy Talk and other creators don't provide any additional details about the Steam Frame VR headset or specific dates for the Steam Machine, reinforcing the idea that, for now, The company's focus is on the peripheral.The remote control, after all, is the element that can be adopted most quickly by the current user base.
Meanwhile, the presence of trackpads, a gyroscope, and deep compatibility with the Steam environment allows us to imagine a closer integration with Valve software, including advanced per-game settings, control remapping, and downloadable custom profiles, as is already the case with other devices from the brand.
With all these pieces on the table, the new Steam Controller is shaping up to be a very unique controller within the current catalogNot as expensive or modular as "pro" console controllers, but clearly more ambitious than a standard pad, and with an obvious emphasis on making life more comfortable for those who use their PC on the living room TV or opt for Valve's SteamOS ecosystem.
