Valve’s new Steam Controller sells out immediately, with resale prices already doubling online
Limited stock and stronger-than-expected demand have left many PC players waiting for Valve’s next restock.
The day arrived that we would get our hands on Valve’s latest hardware. The long-awaited Steam Controller officially launched on May 4 with a retail price of $99. But as expected, the availability was limited and the controller was marked as “out of stock” with the company confirming that demand significantly exceeded internal expectations. As a result, resale listings have already appeared on secondary markets, in some cases at $200.
Valve had already addressed the situation with a brief public update, acknowledging the frustration caused by the shortage. “Steam Controller ran out faster than we anticipated, and we hate that not everyone who wanted one was able to get it,” Valve said. “We’re working on getting more in stock and will have an update on expected timeline soon.”
Features and functionality
The new Steam Controller is designed primarily for PC gaming, particularly for players who prefer to play from a living-room setup. It ships with a charging dock that also functions as a wireless pairing station: connecting the dock to a PC via USB automatically syncs the controller, removing the need for manual Bluetooth configuration. The same dock is used for recharging by attaching the controller through a rear port.
In terms of inputs, the controller includes four rear buttons integrated into the hand grips. These can be fully customized through Steam’s accessory configuration tools, allowing users to map keyboard commands or in-game actions. Standard features such as gyroscopic aiming and vibration feedback are also included.
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One of the controller’s defining elements is its pair of haptic trackpads, which emulate mouse input. This allows players to use the controller with genres that traditionally rely on a keyboard and mouse, such as strategy or simulation games. The system supports switching between analog stick movement and trackpad control, depending on player preference or in-game context.
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