After months of rumors, Valve finally formalizes the return of Steam Controller 2nd generation, with a global price and release date. The controller arrives alone for the moment, although it was announced at the same time as the Steam Machine and the helmet Steam Frame end of 2025.
The living room console under SteamOS and the headset therefore remain without a precise timetable, even if Valve assures that the project is moving forward. Enough to reassure PC players tempted by a living room setup, while asking a key question: should we already fall for the controller or wait for the rest of the ecosystem?
Steam Controller: price, release date and distribution, everything you need to know
The new Steam Controller will be launched on May 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. (French time), exclusively on the Steam Store. No stock is planned in physical stores such as Fnac or Micromania at launch.
On the price side, Valve has a price of €99 in Europe, US$99 (around €92) and £85 in the United Kingdom (around €99). In a note to IGN, the firm specifies that “prices varied by region due to distribution costs, customs duties and market conditions.” We are clearly above a standard Xbox or DualSense controller, but below the “pro” models such as Elite or DualSense Edge.
For the record, this is the 2nd generation of controller after the first Steam Controller launched in 2015 and since withdrawn. This 2026 version was unveiled at the same time as the new Steam Machine and the Steam Framefor a release initially planned for early 2026.
What does this Steam Controller change for PC players while waiting for the Steam Machine?
The controller takes up the philosophy of Steam Deck : sticks + trackpads + gyro to cover both classic controller games and keyboard-mouse titles. We find sticks Magnetic TMRs (to limit stick drift), two haptic trackpads, a 6-axis gyro, as well as four paddle-type rear buttons.
The key little accessory is the Puck magnetic, which serves as both a charger and a 2.4 GHz dongle to connect up to four controllers. Valve announces around 35 hours of autonomy thanks to an 8.39 Wh battery, for a weight of around 292 g.
Pierre-Loup Griffais insists that the Steam Controller “stands out with its own characteristics” and that PC gamers are its “primary target audience.” He adds: “We want to make sure that players can receive this controller as quickly as possible, as soon as it is ready, without having to wait for other factors.” The controller is designed for the PC, the Steam Deck in docked mode, the future Steam Machine and the Steam Frame, but without official compatibility with current home consoles.
Steam Machine and Steam Frame: what release after the launch of the Steam Controller?
Officially, the Steam Machine – a mid-range gaming PC for the living room, under SteamOS – and the helmet Steam Frame are still planned for 2026. But neither the precise date nor the price have been communicated, in a context of soaring costs of RAM and storage boosted by artificial intelligence.
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For French players, the message is clear: the controller arrives first and Valve wants to deliver it quickly, while the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame remain behind the scenes. If you’re aiming for a Steam-based living room PC setup, the €99 Steam Controller will be the first piece of the puzzle, with stocks possibly tight at launch given the Steam Store exclusivity.