- cross-posted to:
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- cross-posted to:
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- [email protected]
Edit: official blog post here
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I don’t like that this has a built-in battery as that effectively gives it an expiration date. The original Steam Controller uses standard AA batteries.
Ergonomics will make or break this for me.
I will say that if it uses the same/similar configuration tool as the original Steam Controller, it will be very versatile.
The old configuration menu was better, the original one before Big Picture got the revamp for the Steam Deck. The new one looks less intimidating at a glance, but is way harder to navigate and requires far more steps to do what the old one could do quite simply.
Theyre pairing with ifixit, so you’ll be able to replace it.
Also, on the flipside, I’m upset the Frame controllers will use AA batteries because you won’t be able to recharge them and will have to fuck with AA batteries, lol
There are rechargeable AA batteries. I prefer this over built-in batteries because I can swap the batteries out immediately instead of waiting for the controller to charge. It is also cheaper and easier to replace the batteries when they eventually begin to wear out.
What kind of rechargeable AA batteries do you use? I’ve tried a lot over the years for wiimotes/other controllers, but the battery life is kinda terrible.
The new steam controller is supposed to have 35 hours of battery life, I seem to remember my rechargeable AA powered controllers only getting like 2-4 hours per charge. They might have gotten 4-6 hours when they were new, but it wasn’t much better. Seems like even if the steam controller battery deteriorates to 50% capacity (17.5 hours) that would still be far better than my results with rechargeable AA batteries.
I’ve been using rechargeable batteries for 30 or so years. The old NiCd batteries weren’t great, but the newer NiMh ones are quite good. Anything I have that uses AA or AAA gets rechargeable.
They do weaken and go bad over time, but I get more than 5 years on average.
Highly recommend Ikea batteries. They are cheap (1€ one), ok battery life, and they last a lot of charges cycles.
I use Eneloop batteries. They are widely regarded as the best quality and I have never had a problem with any of them.
The only controller I have that uses AA batteries is an Xbox controller. I am a fairly light gamer, so I have never measured how many hours they last, but I have no complaints about battery life. I often get more than a month of use before needing to charge them, so I would easily guess at least 10-20 hours of battery life.
I did some reading on it after posting my comment, it sounds like there’s been a pretty major improvement in rechargeable AA batteries in the last 10 years. Capacity has improved by 70+%, and much less power is lost during standby. So it’s probably worth trying again, I had just been avoiding them due to how poor the performance was back then.
I also use eneloops and the same eneloops I used since I got my Steam Controller back in 2015 and would also use on my 360 controller still go about a month before needing a charge.
Watch the Gamers’ Nexus video on the controller. Looks like the battery is extremely easy to replace. Remove a few screws, pop the back of the controller off, and pop the battery out of its housing. No glue or adhesive afaik
So not hot swappable
No but it seems to have like 40 hours on a good charge and can charge and play at the same time with the puck. So I kinda doubt it will be an issue. And it’s fully replaceable with no glue and just a few screws? That seems completely fine to me.
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Nice that they finally added thumbsticks. I had the original controller and hated it because they lacked that. It turned out most games did need them after all, and that weird haptic shit was a load of rubbish.
Question is, how much functionality does it keep if I pair this with a Nvidia Shield as I mostly play PC games though Sunshine/Moonlight. Using a wired Xbox 360 controller for that at the minute.
At least for now, you’ll need to run moonlight through Steam. It uses Steam for input profiles, so initially it doesn’t seem like it will do much without steam running.
The original steam controller did have linux support without steam, but we don’t know yet how/when that will carry over to the new one. I also expect valve to eventually set it to work like the steam deck’s desktop controls, where it has default desktop inputs and you can hold start to swap to a generac xbox style controller inputs. However they haven’t announced that yet and I haven’t heard it mentioned in any reviews.
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They downvoted you because you were right
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10 more minutes, I wish yall the best of luck
Took me an hour to get my order through. Delivery estimate slipped from 3-5 days to 6-10 days while I hammered the button. At least I managed to get the order through.
It seems to be sold out now, at least here in Europe.
I can’t get it to even start the purchase confirmation, it gets stuck before that
I just spammed order on the payment details and managed to get mine
Just having good gyro support on pc with this is a game changer. The trackpads are awesome too. Definitely worth the money if you’re someone who will use those features. Otherwise there are better priced normal controllers. I wish it had haptic triggers like the dualsense but they’d probably go unused in 99% of games so fair enough.
the perfect uncomfy overpriced pair for the big and underpowered steam machine.
Underpowered compared to what. Apparently it’s more powerful than 50% of all computers recorded in the steam hardware survey. Not everyone has a $3,000 gaming PC
Go with 8bitdo.
Looks uncomfortable?
Maybe a stupid question, but could this work with a playstation too?
Not natively, because Sony has a mandatory certification program for wireless controllers.
In theory you make it emulate a PS controller, or you can use a USB receiver like XIM MATRIX or do a ridiculous workaround like connect it using Playstation remote play. Maybe somebody will reprogram the included adapter to work with PS5.
Maybe a stupid question, but could this work with a playstation too?
Maybe as a mouse. It’s the same as with the Steam Deck: Without Steam running, it acts as a mouse NOT as a game pad. It required games to be launched from Steam to use it as a game controller.
Almost certainly not natively. It might have a fallback to an XInput mode, in which case it could work with an adapter (but without the back buttons, gyro etc).
Thanks for the insight!
It might have a fallback to an XInput mode
No, as confirmed by Gamers Nexus. Steam Deck doesn’t either. Personally, I think it’s bad to have the requirement of Steam as a driver but there are also plenty of alternatives out there, so I’m not starting a riot over this.
According to Jeff Grubb at his video around the 20 minutes mark We’ve Been Using the Steam Controller! | Giant Bomb Review Discussion the Steam Controller will work as a regular controller without Steam being open. Steam itself is not required to use the controller, it just adds additional non standard features when open, such as customization and gyro. Sounds like without Steam being open it acts similar to a Xbox controller. But for that case there would be no need to pay 100 Dollar / Euro.
I wish though there was a more universal driver and software to that can be installed to run in the background, without Steam. So I agree with your sentiment, but just wanted mention that the controller is still (partially) functional without Steam. My suggestion is to buy the Steam Controller only, if you want to use it with Steam (duh!).
Then Jeff and GN should fight it out because they’re clearly making contradicting statements. I only have a Deck and an original Steam Controller 2015 and neither act as an Xbox controller without Steam.
I did not say it acts as a Xbox controller, but said similar to a Xbox controller.
I did not say it acts as a Xbox controller, but said similar to a Xbox controller.
And GN said that it behaves exactly like Deck and SC 2015: It’s a mouse without Steam running.
Either GN or Jeff is wrong.
Oof, 25 CAD more than a Joy Con 2 and 35 CAD less than a XB Core 2
I don’t like the 99,- price either, but the joy cons are too expensive even when compared to that, imho. I love the idea of them but wow are those ever uncomfortable for me, it just feels like a different class to me.
I also loved the OG Xbox BIG CHUNGUS, so, you know, different tastes for different people
Yeah, it means I’m buying only one rather than multiple.
I’m hoping that a lot of more games will make use of the touchpads this time, even if only by publishing a custom mapping
Same, thought about buying 4 at the get go with a more reasonable cost. But at a c note I’ll do one and test it out. Then keep an eye out for the sale in a year.
Oof, 25 CAD more than a Joy Con 2 and 35 CAD less than a XB Core 2
There a fine 8bitdo game pads that are less fancy but work really well for way less. https://www.8bitdo.com/ultimate-2c-wireless-controller/ is a good deal, especially for people who are tight on money or simply don’t play that often to care for higher end stuff.
Good alternative for a standard controller but for dual track pads, Valve is the only option. Gotta pay the niche tax.
Also no gyro controls, back buttons… Several other things you miss out on
Note that if you’re only after Gyro and Back buttons, 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 Wireless also has these features, and they work fully with Steam after a firmware update.
If you’re looking for dual touchpads then yeah, Valve tax.
Gyro doesn’t work on Linux for that controller unless you’re using Bluetooth. You need the proprietary software.
It does, I use it exclusively with the 2.4g dongle on Linux.
You do unfortunately need the proprietary software for the initial firmware update (it works in a VM), but afterwards all you need is to ensure your distro has the proper Udev rules installed and to hold B when booting the controller.Ah so they still haven’t fixed the issue where it reverts from XInput mode every time. Glad at least it works now, though.
It is expensive, but this an automatic yes for me.
i know this is gonna get buried under the other 143 comments, but i just need to vent excitment, FUUUUUUUCK YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Im gonna be in class during the launch so i really hope lecture doesnt go over anything important when im ordering it. Oh my god im so excited i can hardly contain it, there are some games I wanted to play only on my deck cus they worked better with controller
I am a little worried that if i dont get it right as it lauches im gonna miss it, but at least my one fear of it being dropped at like 6 am or something has been put to rest
In case you haven’t already, preload your Steam Wallet and make sure to account for any tax. As someone who got my Steam Deck order in the first 15 minutes it dropped, payment processing was the biggest barrier then. They might have fixed it since, but they also might not have. Good luck!
Oh well that makes me feel much better as I’m still holding on to like $200 from Christmas so that shouldnt be an issue, gonna get the preloaded on the 4th so all I have to do is hit refresh, gonna do an internet speed test to see if the college WiFi or my hotspot is faster (prolly my hotspot)
Gotta prep
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gracias válvula
I see the same thing when I look at the store page, but in my wishlist I see a release date (adjusted to my timezone)
Anyone knows if it’s quieter than a standard xbox one controller? Maybe it’s comperative to deck controls?
I’m asking because I avoid using a controller as it upsets my family with all the clicking and clacking.
No idea about the buttons but the joystick ought to not be loud. Check the video reviews if you want to judge how it sounds
I can’t test it exactly right now as I’m on vacation, but from memory the 8BitDo Ultimate 2c is significantly quieter, and also more precise and long-lasting thanks to hall effect sticks. I got one for 21 bucks, it’s really solid.
