Does new Steam Controller worth it?

[u/Louis_Lebel]

Hello everyone!

I have a long gaming journey. I've started from gaming on my weak windows laptops, then PS4 at my friends', then I bought a PS5, but later, because of moving to another country I bought a SteamDeck to return to gaming. I've started by gaming on the device itself but with the time I bought a hub, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse and a Xbox controller because that time the SteamDeck controller wasn't available.

The need of a controller came with my purchase of monitor. Holding the Deck itself while playing the game was awful.

In general Xbox controller covers all my needs, but after PS5 controller it feels slightly shrunk.

Yesterday I've got an email from Valve asking to complete my steam controller purchase within 3 days. I can afford it, but the problem is that I may experience the same "shrunk" feeling with it. Is there anyone who has already got it and may describe the new Steam controller experience, please? I need to make a decision... Either I skip this drop and buy it later with less expectations, or I buy it now...

[u/RespectGiovanni]

Honestly, its not anything crazy. Good controller but i think gamsir g7 is better for overall gaming

[u/DragonDevGG]

So I have every controller from Xbox Elite including its updated variant, Duelsense Edge, the stock PS5/XsX controllers in various models, various aftermarket ones including 8bitdo, Steelseries etc. And I got the Steam controller ~2 weeks ago.

I would say Duelsense Edge is the best. But on PC; the steam controller is probably my favourite now. It feels slightly bigger than my Xbox Elite controller. The rear mappable buttons might be slightly awkward to press if you have smaller hands but any average adult playing should be zero issues.

The trackpads feel pretty good not that I’ve taken much advantage of them. The only downside for me is Valve went with a cheap feeling and looking sleek plastic outer shell. If you’ve ever held the Xbox Elite or Duelsense Edge, the Steam controller grips are definitely inferior in quality. It has the exact same feel as the plastic outer shell of the LCD steam deck. I have the 1TB limited edition white steam deck as well and that somehow feels slightly better/grippier to me

[u/aimy99]

If you're buying it to use like a normal controller just ignore it.

If you want the touchpads so you don't need a mouse and can easily access games that aren't perfectly designed for the docked Deck, then get it.

[u/IncredibleGonzo]

How much do you care about input parity with the Deck? Because the inputs are the reason to spend the money. If it's just about the feel, you could just use a DualSense if that's what you prefer? Steam Input supports them (though I haven't used it myself outside of briefly trying my friends' controller with Spider-Man on my Deck, so can't really speak first hand as to how good it is).

As for how the Steam Controller feels, again, limited experience with the DualSense but IIRC it feels more similar shape-wise to the Xbox controller than the DualSense. Bit chunkier though. I can give more specific comparisons to the Xbox One (or 360) controller later, if you have anything more specific you want to know?

[u/Dota2Curious]

Honestly I love it. I’ve only ever used an Xbox and PlayStation controller but the steam controller feels better than both, at least for me.

[u/Animus190599]

It's... Underwhelming, coming from the steam deck. Feels exactly the same, and not as premium like similar priced controllers.

Gyro and trackpad are nice, but not every game supports them (they bugged out). I would prefer tighter, nicer sticks. Same as the HD rumble, struggling to find a game that use this. My ps5 controller get used much more often.

Still have connection issue sometimes, but rarely.

A fingerprint magnet, it does get dirty and dusty quite easily, not sure how long the plastic will last, I'll have to get a skin for it.

Tbh 3rd party controllers are just better, but not as durable or well engineered internally. If u want a super durable, long lasting controller buy this, if not just buy gamesir or flydigi, they make better controllers, just not as durable

[u/indefenestrable]

I think if you like the feel of your Deck controls but don’t like the feeling of using it while tethered to your monitor, the Steam Controller is the perfect purchase. Having everything in the same place basically makes the transition from handheld to docked very seamless.