Steam Controller 2 Review

As a longtime Steam Deck owner and user, the Steam Controller 2 feels immediately natural in my hands. Stock issues aside, the controller feels substantial without being heavy. Its buttons are tactile without feeling overly clicky, the sticks are the most responsive I’ve ever had the pleasure of using, and the trackpads—as many Deck users will tell you—are genuinely useful.

Trackpads and Layout

The trackpads remain its defining feature. They do not replace the sticks so much as complement them, providing another option for games and interfaces designed around a mouse. Desktop navigation, inventory management, radial menus, strategy games, and precise camera control all benefit from having them available. They may not be the best input for every situation, but I would rather have them and choose not to use them than return to a controller that offers no equivalent.

They have proven especially useful in custom Steam apps I’ve created, including dedicated Crunchyroll and Nebula launchers—essentially streamlined Firefox sessions that open directly to each service with the browser interface hidden.

That flexibility is also the controller’s greatest strength. A conventional gamepad generally asks you to adapt to its layout; the Steam Controller 2 invites you to adapt the layout to yourself. That can require some initial configuration, particularly for games without a good community profile, but the result is a controller capable of handling games that would otherwise send me reaching for a mouse and keyboard.

Back Buttons

The back buttons are another example of that adaptability. They provide additional inputs without requiring me to move my thumbs away from the sticks or trackpads, but some of their most useful applications have been much simpler.

I use them frequently while emulating Game Boy Advance games, especially Pokémon. By mapping the GBA’s A and B inputs to the rear buttons, I can comfortably play one-handed. It may sound like a small convenience, but it perfectly illustrates what makes the controller special: instead of dictating how I should play, it gives me the tools to build a control scheme around how I actually want to play.

It will not instantly convert everyone. Someone who wants a completely traditional, plug-and-play controller may find its additional options unnecessary, and anyone unfamiliar with the Steam Deck’s trackpads will need time to understand why they are useful. For the first year I owned my Steam Deck, I hardly touched its trackpads. Once I finally took the time to adapt to them, I was astonished by how many uses I found.

Affordability and Availability

Valve has once again chosen to remain the sole retailer of its hardware. That decision is not surprising, but it is still disappointing. At a $100 MSRP, the Steam Controller 2 already occupies premium territory. Restricting it to a single storefront—combined with limited availability and little transparency about stock or restocks—creates ideal conditions for scalpers. For anyone seeking a couch- or bed-friendly controller with similar functionality, Sony’s DualSense is a practical alternative. Its built-in trackpad is supported through Steam Input and covers every practical trackpad use case I can think of.

Closing Thoughts

So far, the Steam Controller 2 feels less like a novelty and more like the natural companion to the Steam Deck—or to any PC player who wants to get away from a mouse and keyboard. It preserves the versatility that makes the Deck’s controls special while offering a dedicated controller that feels comfortable, responsive, and thoughtfully constructed. Battery life, long-term durability, and connectivity still need to hold up under extended use, but the experience so far has been remarkably positive.

It is an amazing controller at a premium price. Sadly, it is unlikely to see widespread adoption unless Valve can expand its manufacturing capacity and distribution. The hardware makes a strong case for itself; the challenge is getting it into players’ hands.