Valve Releases First New Hardware Since Steam Deck — Steam Controller

Announced last year, we got the chance to learn more about the growing Valve hardware family. Previously comprised of the Steam Controller (RIP), the Steam Box (RIP), and the Valve Index (RIP), we now have the Steam Deck, Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame, which, if you're keeping track at home, is pretty much the second variations of the previously defunct ones, just that Valve refuses to count to three, and apparently, now two, too.

After the RAMpocalypse hit the world due to AI's strong grip on various industries, there was a shockwave felt across the entire videogame industry. With prices rising sky-high, consoles started costing more accordingly (thanks, AI), and seemingly, the hardware was delayed (later confirmed) from its original Q1 2026 launch date.

Now, it's been a while since we learned about the hardware, and it had players questioning: where's the Steam Controller? Harbouring no RAM or memories with sullied prices (thanks, AI, for a second time), it was strange that the controller had received the same treatment as the previous Steam Machine and Steam Frames.

We received a release date announcement in the most Valve way possible; however, just last week, Steam randomly announced that the Steam Controller would be launching, making exactly zero deals out of it. With a quick refresher on Steam Controller features, we were left with the date — 4th of May, as Valve seemingly competes with Disney's STAR WARS for SEO on launch.

The Steam Controller is out now, and we were also given a release price: £85. While it's certainly outside of the expected £60–£70 range that other, modern-console controllers have, its features seemingly more than make up for the price creep, especially in the high-end side of things.

The console is out now, but it's only available in the countries where a Steam Deck is also purchasable. This means that players who want to get their hands on it can only do so if they live in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, alongside shipping to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan through Komodo Station, the official distributor.