Phoronix article: https://www.phoronix.com/news/Steam-Machines-Frame-2026
Also listed here: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardware
Valve has already sent support for the new Steam Controller upstream: https://www.phoronix.com/news/New-Steam-Controller-SDL
I used to think XBox controllers were the best controllers on the market. I still think they’re very good. That changed when I held the Steam Deck for the first time. The feel is better overall, and in my opinion the track pads are such an obvious and great improvement on the traditional controller design.
Nowadays when I use other controllers, they just feel “bare bones” and like they’re missing something.
Yeah, I feel like the steam controller was a little hard to get used to, the touchpads always felt a little off, but the steamdeck’s touchpads (and presumably the steam controller 2’s touchpads) are absolutely perfect.
Easiest way to play games made for the PC on a controller. I’ve been playing a lot of early 2000’s RPG’s and they’ve been perfect on the steamdeck: Baldur’s gate 2, Dungeon Siege, Neverwinter Nights, Morrowind, Age of Empires, etc
Indeed. I very much liked the original steam controller in concept, but the execution left a lot to be desired. Like not using the most “plastic” feeling controller I’ve ever touched…
Yeah I love that I can play old PC games from my couch! I recently played through Fallout 1 (partly) on the Steam Deck. Amazing times.
I use Dualsense for controller which has a trackpad, but I can’t imagine using it for anything other than the occasional click or two. Do you find them good enough for games? If so, which ones?
My absolute favourite thing about them is that they allow me to play games designed for mouse and keyboard from my bed! Like any old PC games (fallout, wasteland, baldurs gate, etc).
I don’t play enough “first person” games to have any valuable input, but when I’ve played things like Elder Scrolls I’ve honestly preferred using the track pads for controlling the camera.
Interesting, thanks for sharing!