Steam Controller 2 leaked at $99 — pricier than every major rival
Valve's Steam Controller 2 has been priced at $99 by an early review that broke embargo on April 24 — and that's $24 more than a PS5 DualSense and $34 more than an Xbox Wireless Controller. The video, posted by YouTuber TechyTalk and pulled within hours, gave the clearest look yet at a gamepad that's been in limbo since Valve delayed its entire hardware lineup over DRAM and SSD chip shortages. Controllers don't depend on those components, so this one appears close to launch.
The controller
The Steam Controller 2 keeps the dual-trackpad layout of the 2015 original but makes it far more practical. The right pad moves a cursor like a mouse; the left handles scrolling. Valve has added four rear grip buttons — easy to reach, according to the reviewer — and the overall ergonomics are described as a clear improvement over the first-generation model, though the body is slightly larger. The sticks use TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) technology instead of the potentiometers found in most pads, which should eliminate stick drift, one of the most common complaints about modern controllers. Battery life is rated above 35 hours.
On the downside, there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, no silicone grip on the body (the reviewer noted it can slip in sweaty hands), and no hardware customization options. The overall verdict in the leaked video was positive, with the reviewer calling it a significant step up from its predecessor.
TMR sticks replace traditional potentiometers, aiming to eliminate stick drift.
The price problem
At $99, the Steam Controller 2 sits well above standard first-party pads. The DualSense retails for $74.99, the Xbox Wireless Controller for $64.99, and Nintendo's Pro Controller lands between $79.99 and $89.99, per Tom's Hardware. The premium is easier to justify for PC-first gamers who'll use the trackpads for cursor control or strategy games, but it's a harder sell for anyone who just wants a pad for Steam on a TV. It sits well below the $180 Xbox Elite Series 2, so it's not targeting the high-end enthusiast tier either.
Valve has not officially confirmed the price, release date, or regional availability. UK and EU pricing — including VAT — remains unannounced. Evidence from SteamDB and retailer listings at Komodo Station suggest a standalone launch is coming soon, ahead of the Steam Machine console itself. As Vice noted after the embargo break, the leak spread quickly across Reddit and gaming forums — so Valve's formal announcement may not be far off.
