Valve has updated its official Steam Controller page with full specifications and confirmed that the launch will take place on May 4. The controller is priced at $99, based on reviews published alongside the announcement. The new Steam Controller aims to bring Steam Deck-style inputs into a standalone gamepad, featuring the same dual trackpad and gyro layout as the handheld device, but in a traditional controller design.

The Steam Controller features dual thumbsticks, dual trackpads, face buttons, bumpers, triggers, rear grip buttons, and dedicated Steam and Quick Access menu buttons. It also includes built-in gyro support.

The thumbsticks utilize TMR magnetic technology instead of the potentiometer-based sticks commonly found in first-party controllers like the Xbox Elite Series 2 and DualSense Edge. Magnetic thumbsticks are less prone to degradation over time and do not suffer from drift as traditional sticks do. Valve has applied the same technology in the Steam Deck.

The dual trackpads follow the design of the original Steam Controller, allowing PC games not originally meant for controllers to be played more naturally. The addition of a dual-stick layout addresses a key limitation of the original for games that already support standard gamepad input.

The Steam Controller comes with a Puck accessory that serves as both a charging dock and a 2.4GHz wireless receiver. The Steam Machine has a built-in wireless adapter for direct pairing, eliminating the need for the Puck.

The controller is designed to work within the Steam ecosystem, including Steam Deck, Steam Machine, Steam Frame, Steam Link, and any device running Steam. Valve has not specified any restrictions on using it outside the Steam environment.

Steam Input support is included, allowing users to customize inputs for each game. This includes the trackpads, gyro, rear buttons, and thumbstick behavior. Community layouts are also compatible.

The Steam Controller is set to launch on May 4. Details about pre-orders or retail availability beyond what’s listed on the Steam store page have not been announced. Priced at $99, the controller is positioned above standard gamepads but below the Xbox Elite Series 2 and DualSense Edge.