This is a translation of a foreign article, so there may be some translation errors.
https://hothardware.com/news/review-leak-reveals-99-steam-controllers-price
Review Leak Reveals $99 Steam Controller Details: What to Expect
The Steam Controller, which was initially announced to launch alongside the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, now appears to be preparing for a standalone launch at a confirmed price of $99.99. The price was confirmed thanks to a leaked review video from YouTuber TechyTalk.
Another development since the last Steam Controller article is that the controller briefly appeared and then disappeared from Japanese retailer Komodo Station. My previous Steam Controller article was about an unlisted unboxing video captured on SteamDB, from which I speculated that the Steam Controller might launch before the Machine and Frame. That speculation now appears to be almost entirely confirmed.
Unfortunately, this new leaked information didn't reveal anything new about the Steam Controller itself, but it did confirm that it works with desktop use and non-Steam games. It's unclear exactly how far Steam Input configuration will extend to those games, but it should work well for emulation games run through Steam, and may or may not work for games run through third-party launchers, same as now.
https://x.com/gabefollower/status/2047552613848056089?s=20
Fortunately, we've long known the Steam Controller's specs and unique features through the existing Steam listing, and the images captured in the Komodo listing are nearly identical to what's already on the Steam listing page. The main value of the leaked Steam Controller review video comes down to the confirmed price and one more set of hands-on impressions.
As TechyTalk put it, "We all basically already know the basics. Valve announced the product and showed off all the key specs and features. [...] But what sets this controller apart from others are three main features.
On the back there are 4 extra grip buttons, which isn't rare, but isn't found on every controller either. Next is the inclusion of a 6-axis gyro, meaning you can play games by tilting the controller left-right or forward-back. But don't get it twisted—what really matters here, just like on the Steam Deck, are these trackpads."
As someone who enjoys retro console games as well as high-performance shooters, action games, and the occasional platformer, in my view, this controller looks impressive even at the $99 price point. It's a shame TechyTalk's review didn't spend more time on build quality and the D-pad, but based on my prior experience with the classic Steam Controller and Steam Deck, I expect both aspects to be top-notch.
Now we're just waiting for Valve to officially launch the Steam Controller to the public. It's a shame the Steam Machine and Steam Frame appear to be delayed, but I hope an updated launch date gets announced alongside the Steam Controller's release.
▶ Original source: https://hothardware.com/news/review-leak-reveals-99-steam-controllers-price
