The Steam controller was ahead of its time
The Steam controller was ahead of its time
The original Steam Controller is undoubtedly one of the coolest pieces of gear I own—and one of the most innovative, too.
I got mine right when it launched in 2015. I wanted to solve a very real problem: I was trying to turn my PC into a console.
You see, Valve had Big Picture Mode, which truly turned your PC into a console-like experience. The problem was that some of my favorite PC games didn’t support controllers. They were keyboard-and-mouse only.
But then—here comes the Steam Controller. Suddenly, I was able to reprogram all the inputs. I could take basic keys, like the spacebar, and map them to a button on the controller—like the A button. And once you did that, you could share your controller configuration with the Steam community, or reuse a config someone else already made. It was pretty awesome.
And those dual trackpads? They were swank. Incredible for first-person shooters and real-time strategy games. They were the next best thing to a mouse. And because of the angle of the handles, it all felt very comfortable in the hand—probably the most comfortable controller experience I’ve ever had.
It’s funny—just a little over five years ago, gamers hated it. Not because they ever used one, but because it was a failure. And as we all know about gamers, there’s nothing they hate more than a failure. It was dismissed as a novelty—something no one would ever use again.
Well, Valve had the last laugh. A few years ago, they released the Steam Deck. And what do you know? It’s a direct evolution of the Steam Controller. And now everyone loves the Steam Deck.
Just take a look at it—it’s got so many of the same things the Steam Controller had: dual trackpads, back paddles, the ability to remap buttons and customize layouts. Having owned a Steam Deck since launch, I can say this confidently: the most killer features on the Deck originated with the Steam Controller.
That said, it wasn’t perfect. There were a few quirks I wish they had fixed. For one, it would’ve been nice if it had dual analog sticks instead of just one. Using a trackpad in place of a right stick is fine in theory, but let’s be real: a trackpad does not replace an analog stick.
Also, unlike most modern controllers, this one didn’t have a rechargeable battery. You needed AA batteries. Now, to be fair, those batteries lasted a long time—but it still would’ve been nicer to just recharge it and forget about replacements.
Then there’s the back paddles. Only two of them. In hindsight, yeah, Valve knew they needed to evolve. I’ve grown so used to having four back paddles on the Steam Deck. They’re incredibly useful—especially in games with lots of inputs. Just good to have.
Still, this was one of the first mainstream controllers to even have back paddles. So hats off to Valve for that.
Honestly, I really wish there was another Steam Controller on the market. I know Hori makes a licensed controller for the Steam Deck in Japan, but it’s missing a core feature the original had: the dual trackpads.
To me, the dual trackpads make the Steam Deck experience. It’s something almost no other handheld has. My wife has a Legion Go, and it does have a trackpad—but only one. And honestly? That makes all the difference. It’s fine. But man… it would’ve been a better handheld with two.
Definitely one of the most innovative controllers ever made.
And yeah, I still use mine. I use it when I dock my handheld. Or when I’m on my living room PC.
I prefer AA for controllers actually. Rechargeable AAs are good these days and you can just swap them out. I actually really hate this trend of integrated batteries in things where it isnt necessary. Yeah we need new form factors of replaceable batteries, but the switch from replaceable and standardized to neither is definitely causing problems and costing us money.
No d-pad is an instant dealbreaker.
Edit: Y'know what I'll properly expand on this. The Steam Controller failed because it tried to replace vital functionality people expect from a controller. The Steam Deck learned from this mistake and just supplemented that functionality.
TBH, the way I see it, the Steam Controller was designed for games I don't want to play on controller, while being bad for games I do want to play on controller.
It’s funny—just a little over five years ago, gamers hated it. Not because they ever used one, but because it was a failure. And as we all know about gamers, there’s nothing they hate more than a failure.
Nice try, but that's not why I hated it.
This smug revisionism triggers me hard. As a hard core steam fan I loved the idea of the SC, I bought it and really tried to use it, but the reality was just too clunky for primary use. It has no dpad, a single crappy convex analog stick, terribly placed ABXY buttons, horrible shoulder buttons, and just a bit too much input lag on the trackpads. On top all that was (actually, still is) a remapping system that's way too convoluted to use regularly. There's also the sad fact that alarmingly many games don't allow simultaneous gamepad and mouse inputs, and simulating the mouse through right stick inputs feels like shit. I really didn't find any use case where it's ergonomically superior to a regular gamepad beside the always cited Civ on the Couch, and I've tried with sooo many games.
The deck's control layout fixes most of the issues -- the placement is better (except maybe the Salvador Dali inspired B button but I digress), there is a great d pad, two pretty good analog sticks and the input is snappier. Surprise surprise, the deck is a success.
Was the SC innovative, bold and ahead of its time in many ways? Sure. Was it a good controller to play games with? Hell no.
I spent more time fucking with that thing’s settings than actually playing games. Give me a normal controller every day of the week. Just cause it was niche doesn’t meant it was good.
Ive never been a fan of joysticks, so when they announced this I was super excited for the track pads. I wanted to love them, but I could never get used to them. They feel super unnatural, even for FPS, to the point where I was longing for joysticks.
I was confused when I saw that it was discontinued. I bought several in 2015 and still have them.
I really liked it, especially for FPS/TPS
One thing I think it was missing is some kind of native API. It emulated keyboard/mouse or gamepad, or both. And it kind of worked, but sometimes a bit clunky. Like if you tried to use it as mouse for aiming and as gamepad stick game would be confused and switch control hints from gamepad to keyboard/mouse and back.
With native API developers could've directly implement it as another type of controller and add things like hints saying "use right trackpad to aim", tweek controls mapping for it's layout, sensitivity, etc
Not sure how many developers would've supported that though
I loooove my steam controller for first-person games. The right track pad for camera controls just clicks with me. I guess it's because I'm a PC gamer first and foremost, so I'm used to mouse-like aiming rather than the analog-style stick aiming.
I never really used the left track pad though...
That being said, I was let down by the steam deck trackpads. Maybe I just have big hands, but I could never use the right track pad the same way I do with the steam controller.
Also a general comment: AA/AAA is the best if you get some rechargable batteries. No waiting for charging when something is out of juice! Plus you can just get a new set of batteries if they ever die instead of a whole new controller
I've had a PS5. Gave it away. I still have an Xbox. I don't even know if its plugged in. The steam deck got me back into gaming in a way that I haven't been in years. I feel like a kid again with the amazement of a piece of technology that can entertain me the way the steam deck can. I even bought a dbrand skin for it just because I love it so much. I'm playing prototype 2 and my fiancee is playing baldurs gate. When we have money we want to buy another one so we don't have to share lol
It is the best controller ever made by far and I am willing to die on this hill.
Really hoping the rumors of a new steam controller are true!
The difference is that the Steam Deck actually uses fairly traditional controls. Two joysticks, face buttons, d-pad (not that anyone uses the d-pad), multiple back triggers.
This thing was been really weird with its three analogue inputs (how am I supposed to use three analogue inputs) and every other button was limited. It also existed in a world where I can just get an Xbox controller and plug it into my PC, and it just works, so what's the point anyway?
This thing isn't even particularly good at controlling the steam deck, which kind of proves the point that it never really made sense as a product.
I prefer the Wii U Pro Controller, similar layout but with a proper d-pad. I got to have a proper d-pad.
I love my steam controllers. Surprisingly where they shined best for me was in racing games. Single joystick was enough for steering. Trackpad+gyro was great for flicking to look around and if there is nos or boost in the game I would always map it to the button for full press on the trigger. Legitimately not an experience you could replicate with any other controller.
I have mine, I used it a few times, I did not care for it. I can't stand using a touchpad in place of physical sticks. I found it to be worse than a mouse for mouse needs and worse than a standard controller for controller needs. All just felt a bit gimmicky.
Other than just feeling a little light/cheap, I liked it. I actually liked that it used standard batteries so I could just use rechargeable AAs. Only reason I don't use it anymore, is that I mostly game on PS5 now, and mostly only play strategy games on PC. I used to use it while streaming from my PC to my Kodi/Steam Raspberry Pi in my living room.
I have three. One still fully packaged for when the other two die
Strong disagree. If anything, it was the opposite.
The Steam Controller was AMAZING for playing games that did not have gamepad support. And I still think it is the best way to play Stardew Valley. But it also came out at a time when PC ports to console were more or less expected and even RTSes had gamepad support out of the box.
At which point you have a controller that only makes sense for a very limited subset of games.
That said, a Steam Controller 2 that is basically the deck minus the display would be amazing.
this thing looks like an abomination to mankind
It was a neat idea, but just didn’t work as well as a traditional set up. Seemed more like a prototype than a full retail product.
I've had one since the release 2015. The best controller and, unfortunately, the most worn out of em all. I really need a SC2. It still works just like the first day (well, better since it got software updates), but it's so damn worn out. Fuck, I'm actually, seriously considering paying those crazy amounts people are selling them (HAS TO BE NEW!) for online. It's sick how good it is.
I don't think the idea was mature enough. Yes it did try to innovate and do new things but it also was trying very hard to be familiar to an audience that was never going to embrace change while not changing enough for a new audience to develop around it. I would compare it to the Dvorak keyboard, a device that offered only marginal improved efficiency and use while requiring the user to completely relearn from the ground up and have to fight muscle memory for those who used the popular medium it meant to replace. And in the end, most people said it wasn't worth it.
I was initially intrigued by having buttons on the bottom of the controller, where your fingers naturally would be thus freeing your thumbs to stay on the pad/sticks. And imagine my frustration to realize those rear buttons are just extensions of triggers already on top. Huge missed opportunity imo that a redesign could have given dedicated buttons on the back of the controller to each finger and expand the possibilities for input combos a player can perform.
TL;DR I think the controller was a valiant effort to innovate but didn't go far enough or do anything sell enough to stick.
I was really hoping they'd release a next generation with some of the issues I read online ironed out.
I agree, WAY ahead of its time. I have two but unfortunately they're both stuck at my parent's house for when the nephews come over and new (even used) ones are practically "unobtanium".
I wanted to like it, I really did, but between the buttons being too small and clustered together and accidentally hitting the touch pads it just wasn't the controller for me. Mostly played Rocket League when I got it and the number of times I'd shitflip or accidentally turn off ballcam was too high
It still is ahead of its time. I think it was the learning curve that held it back. There wasn't really a tutorial for how to use it fully. But through the years it grew on me and paired to my steamdeck on tv. It's my main way to play now.
I know this is gonna sound crazy but switching the triggers so left is zoom and right is fire changed everything for me. If your aiming with your left thumb and also using your left finger to fire it throws off your aim.
I've got 2 and my main ones thumbstick is worn down to the plastic under the rubber now.
If they release a new version I will buy it in a heartbeat.
I love your passion for this controller. Awesome post.
I use mine everyday. Best controller I've ever bought.
I got a $50 GameStop gift card in 2015 as part of some hackathon I went to— which was cool since as a kid didn’t have a credit card or anything; and bought the steam controller with it, would play CS:GO with it between class. Still my favorite controller and one of the only ones that lets you change the turn on sound too.
I didn’t like it. I got it on sale and tried it. I just have muscle memory for Xbox style controllers and that didn’t give me any advantages that made it worth retraining.
Mine hasn't gotten much use lately because the steamdeck itself has indirectly usurped it but man I love my steam controller. It's genuinely the best controller ever made for certain types of games. I find it very difficult to play FPS games without it (or the steamdeck) due to getting so used to gyro aiming with the capacitive touch sensors. My only real gripe with it is the subpar build quality. They've learned a lot since then in terms of hardware manufacturing so I can't wait for them to put out a new steam controller.
My sister still has a working one that she treats like a religious artifact, as it's the best way to play mouse/KB games from the sofa.
I see why they discontinued them though. They need custom configs for most games, and I think most people don't like that much tweaking.
I loved it, but I rarely use it anymore these days. Often enough, trying to remap the inputs on it errors out in the Steam Input interface, and I've gotten tired of fighting with it. I also never used the left pad for anything and would have preferred an actual D-pad. The right trackpad, especially when paired with gyro controls, is so much better than a right stick for every function you could use a right stick for, and I've put it through its paces; but that only works when you can map an actual mouse. Often times, the game will explicitly switch between "controller mode" and "mouse and keyboard" mode, and I hate playing with a controller but seeing keyboard glyphs. Also, due to my preferences, and where the market has headed lately, there have been very few games coming out where I need to "aim", which is where the Steam controller beat a traditional Xbox controller by the widest margin. So unfortunately, between the software being a pain and there not being a compelling reason to bother putting up with it, I haven't been using my Steam controller lately.
Loved my steam controller, just like all the best stuff it took some configuration to get it perfect, but once it was set up it was the best controller. I am firmly a fan of configuring my stuff to work the way I want to use it, not adapting to how someone else thinks I may use something.
We really need a new version
I would love to get ahold of one for my PC. I'm hesitant to buy a used one though. Maybe one day Valve will make more or even better, make a SC2. Until then my PS5 controller will continue to serve me well
It’s actually quite comfortable to use, despite it feeling like an Xbox Duke with anaphylaxis and as thin and cheap as the Wii U gamepad without the battery in it. I’m sure that they did much better with the Steam Desk and eventual rumored Steam Controller 2 but they definittknownwhat they’re doing.
Use NiMH batteries in it, then you can recharge them. They also don't leak as easily as alkaline batteries.
I have two original Steam controllers and I absolutely hated them. The track pads, whereas a cool innovative technology, weren't good for 90% of my games. I needed that D-pad, or at least a joystick. I hardly used my controllers, and now I just hold onto them as a piece of Valve history.
Mine came with the physical Steam Link box. I bought two of those boxes, so I could use Steam from a couple different places in my home away from my gaming desk. Instead of the controller, I just plugged in a keyboard and mouse to the Steam Link box. They did away with the hardware though, and now it's just an app on Smart TVs and app stores. So I can't use my keyboard and mouse without some extra steps.
The steam deck controller is the final culmination.
Literally perfection.
I've owned one since the beginning, and the only major downside to the controller is that it requires relearning. No d pad, touch pads, back buttons are something not found on other controllers, so there is no familiarity you can bring to the device. As a result, you need to rethink and relearn how to use a controller. If you do end up learning it, it can bring a lot to the table because there is nothing like it in terms of customisability.
Sadly i never put in the time and only played simple games on it. I still bust it out for mario kart.
The other minor downside is its not exactly comfortable to use. The handles are angled upwards instead of down which feels unnatural to me... again, probably because no other cobtroller does ot that way.
I keep saying to myself if I ever boot up cities skylines on the TV, I'm waking up the steam controller for it.Well I'm glad someone likes it
I honestly love the idea of it more than using it for most gaming. I’m going they make a new one that mirrors the layout of the Steam Deck a little more.
I got mine way back when they were discounted to $5 bucks. I used it like once and wasn't a fan. Plus, back then, I didn't really play too many pc games. Funny enough, my friend texted me a few days ago and told me the controllers are becoming goldmines online now selling for $150-$200. It makes me want to find mine and sell it. I even have the box it came in still somewhere.
Idk which model you got but mine did charge via usbc. It also broke so idk if I would prefer yours lol.
I also didn't mind not having a second stick, I got very used to using the trackpad to move the camera in games like dark souls, so much that I could turn it waaaay faster than with whatever stick and with way more precision. very important to mention, I did not put it in "controller mode" but in the "controller and mouse mode" where it took the trackpad input as mouse movement, which made it work flawlessly with swift movements. It's true that the controller mode was lackluster since swiping the trackpad repeated times to turn the camera felt bad. But eh, easily fixable option with an alternative superior to any other controller I've ever tried.
One analog stick? That just looks weird with that layout.
I never got fully used to the trackpads, but the Steam controller is still the only controller I've ever owned where the back paddles didnt break/become unresponsive after enough use. Big fan.
Still got mine and use it. I bought mine very early on, and ran into an issue I've long since forgotten. I let Valve know and they comped me their entire Valve library, and the issue got sorted later.
An incredibly cool controller, I love the hell out of it.
I got more use out of the Steam Link mine came with than I did the controller.
I think I have my two around somewhere (as well as my original Steam machine thingy, which was really awesome). I still cherish them and love the idea of them. Nice boxes, too. But I honestly thought the controllers were real turds, especially after so many reviews gurting so much pole slaw over them.
I love mine. Don't use it for much, but still love it
The entire industry has agreed on a de-facto standard for controllers, which is pretty much the PS1 controller:
- Two clickable thumbsticks
- Four face buttons
- D-pad
- Four triggers
- Two menu buttons
- The only thing the PS1 didn't have (but games can't use it, so maybe it doesn't count?) - a button for showing the platform's menu
You can add things on top of that (trackpads, gyros, making some of these digital buttons analog), but if you don't have that - your controller won't work for games that expect these inputs to be available.
If I had to put a date on when this became the established standard, I'd say 2005 or 2006 - the years when the XBox 360 and the PS3 were released, since both consoles had these capabilities (Nintendo kept doing its own thing, and only supported this standard starting with the Wii U). So when the Steam controller was released in 2015 - this standard was already established, controllers for PC made sure to support it - and even PC games stuck to it.
This is why I think the Steam Controller failed - you had to map it. You couldn't use it like you would a standard controller even if the game was made for standard controllers.
I always wanted one, but by the time I had the personal economy to buy one they weren't available any more.
Big fan of the steam deck layout, seems to resember the steam controller.
I used mine just a few hours ago while playing Brotato. I'm usually not a controller guy and try to stick to mouse and keyboard but in cases where controllers are just the better choice, I strongly prefer the Steam Controller over any other one.
I got mine as soon as they were being sold and was disappointed. It felt incredibly awkward to use in comparison to both a K&M and a traditional controller. I ended up selling it about 5 years ago and don’t miss it.
I also still got mine, love it.
Thanks for this! My friend has one and he says it's great as well.
It was a good 5+ hour learning curve, but I now swear by it for all Souls games (except DS remastered, since you can't use joystick + mouse movement at the same time). In Elden Ring: Jump and dodge on the grips, holding LB engages gyro for aiming with the bow, and touch instead of click left trackpad for dpad input. Being able to swing the camera around instantly, or just being able to maneuver it while sprinting is so nice. Customizing the guide chords is great too: Guide+X = save OBS replay, Guide+Y = turn off controller, Guide+A = toggle MangoHud, etc.
Although, I'd probably trade the left trackpad for an actual dpad, though it is nice for typing if i ever need it. It's a shame they removed "require clicks" for navigation in the new Big Picture mode. I also wish the LB/RB weren't so clicky and loud. Maybe there's a DIY mod for that.
Sadly I didn't like the steam deck for Souls games. Maybe it's because the trackpad is too far down and just feels more awkward to use. Steam controller just fits so nice.
EDIT: forgot to mention that I use Guide+right trackpad to simulate right analog stick, since in Elden Ring you need it for zooming the map or adjusting the camera angle during dialogue or character creation.
Lovely to see you share this!
Had this one since 2017 and I just wonder when it will die. Will mourn a bit
