Just yesterday, information about Steam Controller's release date and pricing leaked online, and it looks like that was a case of time zone differences because soon, Valve announced the device officially, and now, multiple reviews are available so you can see if the $99 controller is what you want to get on May 4.

Alas, Valve didn't send us one, so here's an overview of what early reviews have to say about Steam Controller 2.

The general consensus seems to be that this is the best PC controller Valve has shipped, and one of the best controllers overall. IGN gave it a 9/10 and called it "the PC controller to beat," Polygon describes it as close to being perfect for PC gaming, and Tom's Hardware decided it's a "nice controller offering a ton of variety." PC Gamer summed it up eloquently: "Second time's the charm," while The Verge wrote that it "isn't perfect," but is enough to spend $99 anyway.

There are some differences in opinions, but everyone agrees that the new TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) thumbsticks feel solid and should be drift-proof. The dual trackpads are the first to draw attention, and Ars Technica says they are a "huge improvement over analog sticks," bringing more accuracy to the device.

The 35-hour battery life makes your gaming journey uninterrupted, and the magnetic puck, a small USB-C dongle that doubles as a 2.4 GHz wireless transmitter and a magnetic charging dock, is a wonderful addition that makes charging simple. Rock Paper Shotgun writes that "this is how all controllers should recharge from here on, and [I] will quietly judge any future competitors that fail to adequately copy it."

Where reviewers don't quite see eye to eye is whether the $99 price tag is worth it. IGN and Polygon say it's fair given the features the controller provides, especially compared to the Xbox Elite Series 2 and DualSense Edge, which cost significantly more. Ars Technica argues that "buying two cheaper controllers for the same price is probably the better bet" unless you're planning to play a lot of mouse-based games from a more couch-friendly distance.

Others seem positive overall but suppose that you could just get a simpler gamepad for half the price.

This is especially true if you want to use the new Steam Controller for things other than Steam. You just can't. Apps like the Epic Games Store or Ubisoft Connect just don't recognize it as a proper controller.

Valve programmer Pierre-Loup Griffais told Tom's Hardware that making the controller Steam-only was just easier:

Sure, but I think an inability to use this expensive piece of tech where other controllers work fine is not beneficial for the company.

The new Grip Sense feature, which uses capacitive sensors in the grips to toggle gyro, also received split sentiments. Tom's Hardware found it useful for casual games, while Rock Paper Shotgun called the gyro upgrade "the closest I've come to having that 'extension of the body' feel of virtual reality recreated on a desktop monitor." The Verge says it works well as long as your palm is on the grip. Polygon, on the other hand, calls it "an optional gimmick" that wouldn't trigger reliably and which "most players will ignore altogether." 

There are smaller criticisms noted by outlets, like the absence of a headphone jack or the bottom rear buttons sitting too low.

In the end, it's up to you whether the hype is worth the money, but if you do most of your PC gaming on Steam, it looks like a nice addition, especially with the Steam Machine console and the Steam Frame VR headset both coming sometime in 2026.

I imagine Valve will eventually add support for other platforms, but for now, don't forget to subscribe to our Newsletter and join our 80 Level Talent platform, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Instagram, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.

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