Valve announced that its new Steam Controller will launch on May 4, 2026 [3].
The release signals Valve's attempt to refine its hardware ecosystem by addressing the shortcomings of the original controller while navigating global supply chain issues.
Valve engineers Steve Cardinali and Lawrence Yang provided details on the device during a BBC News interview. The controller will be available for $99 in the U.S. [2] and £85 in the U.K. [1]. Orders for the device open on May 4 at 10 a.m. PDT [4] and will be available worldwide through Valve's online store.
Cardinali and Yang said the new hardware aims to improve upon the original Steam Controller. While the company also provided an update on the upcoming Steam Machine, that device remains pending. Valve said the controller can ship now because it is not affected by the current RAM shortage that has delayed other hardware.
"We're excited to see what people do," the engineers said.
The company promised more news regarding the Steam Machine soon. By decoupling the controller release from the console hardware, Valve ensures a product launch that is not hindered by the semiconductor constraints currently impacting the broader electronics industry.
“The controller can ship before the Steam Machine because it is not affected by the current RAM shortage.”
Valve is utilizing a staggered release strategy to maintain market momentum despite systemic hardware shortages. By launching the Steam Controller independently of the Steam Machine, the company avoids a total project delay caused by RAM scarcity, allowing it to establish a peripheral ecosystem before the primary computing hardware arrives.
