Valve Sets May Release for New Steam Controller Despite Hardware Delays
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Valve is releasing its redesigned Steam Controller on May 4th for $99, moving ahead of its delayed Steam Machine and Steam Frame counterparts due to ongoing RAM shortages.
Valve is moving forward with its hardware rollout by confirming that the redesigned Steam Controller will launch on Monday, May 4th, priced at $99. Originally planned as part of a simultaneous trio of hardware drops, the controller now arrives solo because ongoing global RAM shortages and component pricing issues continue to stall the companion Steam Machine and Steam Frame. While supply chain hurdles have disrupted the broader ecosystem, Valve has managed to secure enough initial inventory for the controller to avoid the grueling waitlists that plagued early Steam Deck releases.
Pricing at $99 places this new gamepad well above standard console controllers, but early impressions point to substantial hardware upgrades that justify the cost. Reviewers highlighting the device note that its versatile trackpads and desktop integration make it functional far beyond standard gaming sessions, serving as a navigation tool for non-game desktop applications as well. For cross-platform players and PC enthusiasts who treat their setups as all-in-one entertainment hubs, a multifunctional peripheral that can rival premium pro controllers offers clear appeal, even if the price tag requires a second look at your monthly budget.
Valve has not yet provided a firm release date for the delayed Steam Machine and Steam Frame, leaving those devices somewhere in 2026 purgatory until component markets stabilize. Even without its hardware ecosystem companions at launch, the standalone controller arrives with full Windows support and a design built for modern play habits. As reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, we can expect deeper dives into the engineering behind those tunnel magnetoresistance thumbsticks from Valve's hardware team later this week.
Tags: Valve, Steam Controller, PC Gaming, Hardware, Industry News
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun