Valve has finally revealed the release date and price for its new Steam Controller, while explaining why the Steam Machine will not launch at the same time. The controller is priced at £85, making it more expensive than standard PlayStation 5 and Xbox controllers, which retail at £64.99 and £59.99 respectively. Despite the higher cost, Valve emphasizes that the controller is compatible with the entire Steam library and can connect to PC, Steam Deck, and upcoming Steam Machine and Steam Frame devices.
Steam Controller Release Date
The Steam Controller launches on May 4, which coincidentally falls on Star Wars Day. It will come with a controller puck that enables wireless connectivity and doubles as a charging station. Pre-orders have not yet opened, so interested buyers should bookmark Valve's website and check back on release day to secure a unit.
Steam Machine Still Without Release Date
Unlike the controller, the Steam Machine and the new VR headset, Steam Frame, still lack concrete release dates and pricing. Valve hardware engineer Steve Cardinali clarified in an interview with Polygon that the company never intended to release all three products simultaneously. 'We had always thought, obviously we want them to work together well,' Cardinali said. 'But we saw no need to ship the controller at the same time as the [Steam] Machine. The really only hard deadline is we didn’t want to ship the Steam Machine before the Steam Controller.'
Impact of Memory Shortages
Cardinali noted that the controller's development was unaffected by global memory shortages, making it easier to release earlier. However, he acknowledged that despite efforts to build up stock, demand could exceed expectations. The Steam Machine has been significantly impacted by the shortages, likely increasing its price beyond initial plans. VR insider Brad Lynch, who leaked Steam Controller details before its announcement, claims to have been told target prices before and after the shortages, but did not share exact figures. He stated that the Steam Machine's pricing was affected the most, while the Steam Frame's increase was 'not as bad.'
Until Valve provides official details, the Steam Machine is still expected to launch by the end of June 2026, though this remains unconfirmed. The company has previously admitted the device will be expensive, and the memory shortages have likely pushed the price higher.
