Steam gets a new official gamepad, but there’s a catch

Steam is getting a new official controller. The game-streaming platform’s parent company Valve discontinued its Steam Controller five years ago. However, the upcoming gamepad won’t be the Steam Controller 2 as it’s not being made by Valve. This new wireless controller will be made by the Japanese company Hori and is expected to remain exclusive to the country.Here are all the details about the upcoming Wireless Horipad for Steam.

Wireless Horipad for Steam: Price and availability

Launching in Japan on October 31, the Wireless Horipad will come in four colours and will cost around $50 (nearly Rs 4,000). While a Valve-branded controller for Steam and docked Steam Decks seems overdue, its wider availability remains uncertain. Hori’s Japan-first approach could reflect the country’s thriving PC gaming scene, especially with handhelds, as evidenced by Valve’s separate Steam Deck distribution partnership there.

Wireless Horipad for Steam: Key highlights

The Wireless Horipad for Steam mirrors the Steam Deck’s menu buttons and includes touch sensors on its sticks for gyro controls. It offers both Bluetooth wireless and USB-C wired connections, plus extensive customisation options through Hori’s software.
While it shares features with the Steam Deck, this isn’t a true Steam Controller successor. It lacks rumble feedback, the four signature back buttons, and the trackpads that defined its predecessor.
This new controller bears resemblance to Hori’s wired Horipad Pro for Xbox consoles, which offered decent ergonomics and a good D-pad, though ultimately wasn’t a top contender.
The Wireless Horipad also boasts some key improvements. First, it’s wireless, though limited to Bluetooth. It also offers four programmable buttons, albeit with a different layout than the Steam Deck: two on the back and two on the front.
Steam’s data has also confirmed a rise in gamepad usage, alongside recent controller optimization efforts. This could pave the way for a broader range of officially licensed Steam controllers from various manufacturers, similar to Xbox’s ecosystem, ideally with more wireless options.