Valve has officially confirmed the pricing and launch schedule for its upcoming Steam Controller. Starting at 10 a.m. PDT on May 4, eager fans can place their orders for the new hardware, which carries a $99 price tag in the United States.
At just shy of $100, Valve’s latest entry occupies a premium space in the gaming peripheral market. To put that into perspective, it sits at a higher price point than Sony’s $74 DualSense or the $89.99 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. While this new iteration doubles the cost of the original 2015 model, it remains a more affordable alternative to high-end enthusiast pads like the $169.99 Scuf Envision or the $199 professional-grade options, such as the DualSense Edge and the Xbox Elite Series 2.
Despite the premium positioning, our hands-on experience suggests the value is there. In our recent evaluation, we lauded the new peripheral as a “near-perfect PC gamepad,” justifying the investment for dedicated players.
Valve has also outlined the international pricing structure, which includes local VAT where applicable:
- United States: $99
- Canada: CA$149
- EU: €99
- U.K.: £85
- Australia: AU$149
- Poland: 449zł
The controller is set to hit the market on May 4, with shipping expected to begin immediately upon launch. While Valve has yet to share updates regarding the Steam Machine or the Steam Frame VR headset—both announced last year—we do have additional insights into the controller’s development.
The Steam Controller is so close to being the perfect PC gamepad
After spending several weeks testing the device, we’ve found it to be arguably the most ergonomic and naturally form-fitting gamepad we’ve ever handled. While it is packed with innovative design choices, there are a few limitations to keep in mind, particularly if you intend to use it on platforms outside of the PC or Steam Deck ecosystem.
Why Valve is prioritizing the controller over the Steam Machine
Originally, the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame VR headset were slated for a simultaneous launch alongside the controller. However, shifting circumstances have altered that timeline. We sat down with Valve to discuss the strategic decision behind releasing the controller as a standalone offering first.
Source: Polygon
