The new one Steam Controller sold out within minutes of its May 4 launch, and scalpers have already listed their units on eBay for up to three times the original price. Valve's flagship, Steam, was the exclusive platform for the launch, and demand for the company's new peripheral was reportedly so high that it caused the site to crash and malfunction for a period.
Back in February 2026, Steam Deck suddenly sold out of Valve's US storefront and several other retailers. Meanwhile, reports suggested that the maker of the popular handheld may soon face supply issues due to the ongoing RAM shortage. Now, fans are worried that getting their hands on the new Steam Controller could also be a challenge, even though it doesn't seem to be affected by the memory shortage.
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Steam Controller listings on eBay can go over $300
Reports suggest the Steam Controller sold out within the first 30 minutes, and scalpers' eBay listings popped up almost immediately with steep markups. One listing in particular, which includes “purchase confirmed” in the title, is asking for around $330 USD. By comparison, Valve's official price for the new Steam Controller is $99, meaning the retailer is charging more than three times the original price.
An interesting detail is that none of the Steam Controller buyers have actually received the product yet, as shipping will take a few days. This means that the eBay listings are effectively selling successful orders placed through the Steam store, rather than the physical product itself.
Hundreds of users took to social media to complain about the launch and how Valve handled it, with many saying they couldn't even access the store page. Third-party tools like Downdetector show a clear increase in issues around the time the controller went live. Even some of those who managed to secure the peripherals said the process was far from smooth, noting that they had to refresh the payment page several times before completing their purchase.
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The situation has sparked comparisons between Valve and Japanese gaming giant Nintendo. During the launch of the Switch 2, Nintendo implemented several measures to curb scalping, such as requiring proof of purchase for warranty claims in Japan and limiting reservations to users with verified accounts. Now, some fans believe that Valve could adopt similar safeguards to prevent scalpers and bots from quickly depleting Steam Controller inventory, much like how Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were protected from retailers.
Thousands of fans who were unable to purchase the device at launch are now waiting for Valve to clarify its rebuilding plans. As of this writing, the company has neither commented on the sale nor provided a timeline for replenishment. But it will likely have more stock of the popular controller soon, as it has with most of its Steam peripherals in the past.
Valve also has two other gaming products that fans are eagerly anticipating, the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame. While the ongoing RAM shortage has reportedly affected their launch to some extent, the company still seems on track to release them later this year. Ideally, these launches will be smoother, giving more players a chance to pick them up without turning to eBay and paying high prices.
