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Valve Sets May 4 Launch for $99 Steam Controller as Machine and Frame Remain Delayed

Valve is releasing the controller alone due to global memory shortages that paused its other hardware.

Overview

  • Valve confirmed Monday the Steam Controller goes on sale May 4 at 1 p.m. ET for $99 in the US, £85 in the UK, €99 in the EU, and $149 in Canada and Australia.
  • The controller ships now because it uses no RAM, while Valve says the Steam Machine and Steam Frame still lack a new timeline due to supply and cost pressures.
  • Key features include dual haptic trackpads, TMR magnetic thumbsticks designed to resist drift, gyro aiming, four rear grip buttons, HD haptics, and about 35 hours of battery life.
  • A bundled Puck acts as a low‑latency 2.4 GHz receiver and magnetic charger, and the pad works with any device running Steam, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Steam Deck.
  • Early reviews are broadly positive on comfort and precision yet flag the $99 price and a 250 Hz polling rate for esports, and Valve says it has iFixit repair parts planned and significant launch stock though demand is uncertain.