Valve’s next Steam Controller may be getting closer to launch than expected, and a leaked review has now given PC players their best look yet at what the new gamepad could offer. According to reports, an early review video briefly went live before being taken down, revealing a possible $99 price tag along with a closer look at the controller’s gameplay performance and major features.
While Valve has not officially confirmed the final price yet, the leaked review has already sparked a lot of discussion. At around $99, the new Steam Controller would sit above standard Xbox and PlayStation controllers, but below premium options like the Xbox Elite Series 2 and DualSense Edge.
Steam Controller Leak Reveals a $99 Price Tag
The biggest talking point from the leaked review is the reported $99 price. That would make the new Steam Controller significantly more expensive than the original 2015 model, which launched at $50, though inflation makes that old price closer to around $70 today.
Still, this is not just a simple Xbox-style gamepad with a Steam logo slapped on it. Valve seems to be aiming for a more PC-first controller, one built around Steam Input, SteamOS, and the kind of games that usually feel awkward on traditional controllers.
That is where the dual trackpads come in.
Dual Trackpads Could Be the Main Selling Point
The leaked review reportedly focused heavily on the controller’s dual trackpads, which are designed to give players more mouse-like control while still using a gamepad. This could be especially useful for strategy games, management titles, RPGs, shooters with inventory-heavy menus, and any PC game that was never properly built around a controller.
Valve’s official Steam Controller page also highlights the return of trackpad-style controls, with the new controller bringing Steam Deck-inspired input options into a standalone wireless gamepad.
This is the feature that could separate it from almost every other controller on the market. Plenty of modern gamepads now offer back buttons or better sticks, but very few try to solve the classic PC gaming problem of mouse control from the couch.
Magnetic Thumbsticks With TMR technology Sticks Should Help With Stick Drift
According to Steam, the Steam Controller comes with magnetic thumbsticks using TMR technology, designed for improved feel, responsiveness, and long-term reliability. They also support capacitive touch to enable motion controls.
Since the new Steam Controller includes TMR analog sticks, it makes it stand out against many first-party console controllers that still do not offer the same drift-resistant stick technology.
A $99 controller is not cheap, but it becomes easier to defend if the sticks hold up better over time.
Back Buttons and Advanced Haptics Make It Feel More Premium
The new Steam Controller is also expected to include back buttons, advanced haptics, gyro controls, and deep Steam Input customization. Valve’s previous Steam Controller was always more experimental than mainstream, but the new model looks like it is trying to blend that PC-focused design with a more familiar modern controller layout.
That could make a big difference. The original Steam Controller had a passionate fanbase, but its unusual single-stick layout made it harder for many players to get used to. This new version appears to keep the weird and useful Valve ideas, while also looking closer to what players already expect from a modern gamepad.
Built for SteamOS and PC Gaming
Valve is clearly building this controller around its wider hardware ecosystem. The company announced the new Steam Controller alongside the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, with all three devices designed around Steam and SteamOS.
The controller works with devices running Steam, including Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame, while also supporting Bluetooth and wired play. Valve is also including a charging dongle that can work as a wireless transmitter for a faster connection.
That makes the controller feel less like a random accessory and more like a key part of Valve’s next big push into living room PC gaming.
Steam Controller Gameplay Test Sounds Promising
Based on the leaked impressions, the gameplay test seems to have been positive overall. Reports say the reviewer praised the trackpads as the standout feature, especially for navigating PC-like interfaces and games where a normal controller can feel limited.
That said, the controller still will not fully replace a keyboard and mouse for every genre. Competitive shooters, fast RTS games, and certain hardcore PC titles will still likely feel better with traditional PC controls. But for couch gaming, Steam Deck-style controls, and SteamOS setups, this could be one of the most flexible controllers available.
Is the $99 Price Too High?
The $99 price will probably divide players. Some will see it as expensive compared to a regular Xbox or PlayStation controller. Others will argue that dual trackpads, TMR sticks, back buttons, gyro, haptics, and Steam Input support make it fair for a PC-focused controller.
The important thing is that Valve does not seem to be chasing the cheapest controller market here. This looks more like a bridge between a standard gamepad and a premium PC controller, without going all the way into the $150 to $200 elite range.
Steam Controller Release Could Be Close
The leaked review is not the only sign that Valve may be preparing for launch. A hidden Steam Controller unboxing video was reportedly spotted on Steam’s backend, while other reports have pointed to shipment activity and removed storefront assets, suggesting that Valve’s new controller may be close to release.
Valve has not confirmed the final release date or official price at the time of writing, so players should still treat the $99 figure as a leak for now. However, with reviews, unboxing files, and storefront clues all surfacing around the same time, it definitely feels like Valve is getting ready to show more.
