In what appears to be an accidentally leaked video showing off a new Steam hardware device, YouTube channel Techy Talk has uploaded a full review of the Steam Controller, stating that its price tag will be $100 USD. Following the wild success of the Steam Deck, Valve's upcoming hardware launch aims to extend the Steam platform to first-party controllers and gaming PCs with the Linux-based SteamOS.
Valve's first-party hardware initiative dates back to 2015, when the company launched the original Steam Machines as gaming PCs assembled by third-party manufacturers running Valve's Linux-based SteamOS. Along with the original Steam Machines, Valve also launched the first iteration of the Steam Controller, which featured all the typical fixings of a modern controller except with large trackpads on the side to help players emulate the functions of a mouse in games such as Civilization and Total warwhere it is largely impractical to use a controller. The original Steam Machines and Steam Controllers didn't last very long, with the Steam Machine in particular seeing low sales and gradually being phased out of production by 2017; however, the Steam Controller found a dedicated base of fans who continue to swear by its convenience to this day. In November 2025, Valve announced the second generation Steam Machine and controllers, but it has been speculated that their launch had been delayed due to ongoing hardware shortages and price increases.
Valve provides update on Steam Machine Hardware Release Plans
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The Steam Controller can come with a hefty price tag
On April 24, 2025, fans on Reddit discovered that YouTuber Techy Talk uploaded a video titled “Valve did it again – Steam Controller Review”, which showcased all the features of the upcoming Steam Controller, and also revealed that the Steam Controller will cost $100. The full video and screenshots are currently circulating online, with many fans speculating that this is a legitimate video that was accidentally uploaded early due to how in-depth it is. Adding fuel to the fire, there has recently been a surge in rumors that Valve will make an announcement about the Steam Controller soon, with many speculating that it will be a release date and price. The latest stir from Valve would make it easy to believe that Techy Talk's upload is legit, and the Steam Controller will cost $100 as stated in the video.
Right now, there's still no official word from Valve about the Steam Controller's release date and pricing, so nothing is concrete yet; however, fans have taken to social media to express concern over the controller's price. Many argue that $100 is a high price to pay for a controller that lacks features like an audio jack, a microphone, or trigger-force feedback. Meanwhile, some fans have come to the Steam Controller's defense, saying that, at half the price of its premium controller competitors, its trackpads, back buttons, TMR joysticks, and back touch sensors more than make up for the features it lacks. Most interestingly, many fans have said that the $80 price point would have been the sweet spot for the Steam Controller and what many thought the controller would have been priced at.
The hardware world is currently in a rough state, and this rumored price for the Steam Controller would only be in line with the rising prices of gaming hardware. For example, the $90 Switch 2 Pro Controller is not far behind the potential price of the Steam Controller, while the popular PS5 DualSense is now $75. Deciding on a controller for PC gaming is always a trade-off between pros and cons, given how many options there are, so customers in the market for a new controller need to really think about what they prioritize in their gaming experience before purchasing a Steam controller for a potential $100.
