Steam Controller leaked review points to $99 MSRP — more expensive than PS5 and Xbox controllers and Nintendo Joy-Cons

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Steam Machine
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

A hardware reviewer accidentally broke the embargo for the Steam Controller, revealing its $99 MSRP. The original video has since been taken down from YouTube, but one enthusiast was quick to record the video and share it on X via Streamable. The video is just about four minutes long, with the reviewer saying that the dual trackpads are the standout feature of this controller. They shared the Steam Controller’s price near the end of the video, saying, “It’s not cheap, but it’s only $25 more than a PS5 controller.”

It seems that the same is true for the Steam Controller, which is significantly more expensive at $99. By comparison, the basic Xbox Wireless Controller has an MSRP of $64.99, while the DualSense controller for the Sony PlayStation 5 only costs $74.99. Even the Pro Controller for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 are only priced at $79.99 and $89.99 respectively. This makes the Steam Controller one of the more expensive options when it comes to basic controllers, although it’s still half the MSRP of premium options like the Xbox Elite Series 2 and DualSense Edge.

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Nevertheless, the dual touchpads on the Steam Controller make it quite a unique controller among the many options available out there. This feature makes it easier to use with a PC-like interface, which is quite useful especially as the Steam Machine is basically just a mini-PC running SteamOS. You can also use it with other operating systems, like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, although it will never beat the utility of a mouse and keyboard, especially for specific genres like FPS and MOBA.

Valve hasn’t announced an official release date for any of its new hardware yet. Nevertheless, this accidental review video release gives us hope that the Steam devices are arriving sooner, rather than later, and that their prices remain within reasonable range.

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Jowi Morales
Jowi Morales
Contributing Writer

Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ezst036
    Hopefully that also means the GabeCube is imminent.
    Reply
  • DingusDog
    Is it just me or does that look like an awful design? I can envision continuously touching the track pads by accident while using the thumb sticks. Back to the drawing board Steam.
    Reply
  • Notton
    DingusDog said:
    Is it just me or does that look like an awful design? I can envision continuously touching the track pads by accident while using the thumb sticks. Back to the drawing board Steam.
    It's just you. It's the same design as the SteamDeck, and no one complains about the trackpad placement.
    In fact, the majority of users like the size and placement of said trackpads.
    Reply
  • Findecanor
    ezst036 said:
    Hopefully that also means the GabeCube is imminent.
    Word on the street is that Valve is holding it back because of memory prices...
    Reply
  • luckzeh
    ...while a reasonable/good controller with decent technology (at least hall effect, better yet TMR) costs like $30-40.
    The Xbox and whatnot prices are super bloated for how low their quality bar is.
    Reply
  • thesyndrome
    luckzeh said:
    ...while a reasonable/good controller with decent technology (at least hall effect, better yet TMR) costs like $30-40.
    The Xbox and whatnot prices are super bloated for how low their quality bar is.
    What is worth considering though is that the "basic" console manufacturer controllers also don't feature the additional buttons, and the Xbox controller does not feature the gyro aim, and only the Dualshock 4 & 5 feature a single touchpad in the middle (not dual on either side, like the Steam Controller has). Considering that these missing features can only be found in 3rd party controllers (which are usually of dubious quality, or very expensive) or for nearly double the price of a Steam controller if you go for the "pro" versions of controllers sold by Microsoft or Sony, I don't think the price is that bad.

    Would I LIKE it to be a lower price? Yeah, of course, but I certainly don't think it's a rip-off in any way when you look at the overall controller market
    Reply