Why Steam Controller may be the best gamepad yet

The first Steam Controller released in 2015 had its fans, myself included, but detractors noted how its dual touchpad configuration could be suboptimal for console-centric game releases. When Steam Deck built upon Steam Controller and Steam Input, this critique was noted and we got the best of both worlds—full controller support and the dual trackpads and four back buttons offered by the original Steam Controller. Finally, a new Steam Controller, which could more accurately be called the Steam Controller 2, is on the horizon for a release this year—and as a major fan of both mouse & keyboard and gamepad play across my various game libraries, I'm hugely excited for it.

The new Steam Controller seems to build upon all of the lessons learned with Steam Deck. Nothing has been sacrificed here, and in fact even further improvements have been made, with the dual analog sticks now virtually guaranteed to never develop stick drift thanks to using TMR. As a person who inherited an unexpected love for the 2015 Steam Controller from an old roommate, this is great news. For those who weren't around for that or simply didn't understand why the thing was so popular, I heartily recommend the Nerrel review, which also serves as a soft introduction to Steam Input and its utility for motion controls in emulators.

One of the biggest benefits of the Steam Deck update from the 2015 Steam Controller was the addition of being able to toggle gyro aim purely by touch. For games where gyro input is required or where it may add to the authenticity of the experience (like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, or really any shooting game) easy motion control support via Steam Input is a godsend. Of the current-generation consoles, only Xbox lacks hardware support for motion controls, though they must be manually enabled in PlayStation games and are often left disabled by the developer on that platform. Since Splatoon and to a lesser extent the Wii (which mostly used IR sensor aiming instead of gyro), Nintendo has been highly focused on providing a good gyro aim experience in its console games.

On the note of console games, there's nothing strictly restricting the new Steam Controller to PC hardware, either. At the very least, Valve's own PCs and the next Xbox are likely to just be straight-up compatible with it, Steam Input and all. But a vibrant market of controller adapters exist, and if even basic XInput functionality could be maintained by adapter providers like Mayflash or Brook, the 2026 Steam Controller would surely make its way into a tournament setting. I've reviewed enough gamepads to appreciate just how good and first party-comparable Valve's console-style controls really are, and I'd be lying if I said the next Steam Controller didn't tempt me. I'm just stuck on the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller's adjustable stick tension and swappable sticks, at this point. There are always hardware mods...

Early impressions from writers with more access than I indicate that the bright expectations for Steam Controller 2 are justified. Various outlets at this point, including IGN and Digital Foundry, have confirmed that the controller feels pleasant and responsive to use. If the D-Pad is at least as good as the one on Steam Deck, I know I'm sold. The closest thing we've had to the Steam Controller since 2015 is the Wireless Horipad For Steam and its touch-sensitive analog sticks, a feature carried over from Steam Deck to allow more seamless gyro integration or other functions. No trackpads, though. Hopefully, Valve unveils the curtain on the 2026 Steam Controller release date soon, since a Steam Hardware reveal has been teased since Friday—more on that below.