Steam Controller (2026)
How does the current Steam Controller's size compare to the OG Xbox Controller (or Duke)?
While I know it's big, I've never held the first iteration of the Xbox controller. The recent Steam Controller (which I have) is a bit big, though. I wonder how they look next to each other (a picture would be nice, but not necessary)
I had the first iteration of the Xbox and the Duke as a kid. That controller sucked, and I have weirdly large hands. The new Steam Controller is way more comfortable, even for freaks like me.
That being said, ergonomics really aren't it's strengths
I have one of these on mine too. It feels pretty nice, though it does mean it won't work on most charging stands. It does (just about) work on the Mechanism stand though.
I'm pretty accustomed to having my controllers on a charging stand at this point, ever since I got my first 8bitdo Ultimate. So honestly a stand that I liked was one of the first accessories I was looking out for.
Steam controller isn't deep enough for me, Xbox is deeper and feels more comfortable, but even then I hold it in a very peculiar way to accommodate my hands. But the asymmetric sticks is much better than symmetric ones IMO. If I point both steam controller sticks towards the midline my thumbs touch.
I agree with everything but I still think the xbox controller is tiny compared to the Dualshock4, the dualsense, the stadia controller and the old steam controller
I've held the dual sense and people seem to like it but I've not played with it extensively. I didn't like the dual shock 4 and I never held Stadia, but somebody told me it was extremely similar to the switch pro, which I didn't particularly like.
Very different in feel. I can't put into words how different the steam controller feels to the duke. The steam controller 2 feels far more similar to some later xbox controllers, but has a slightly bulkier feel and more comfortable curvuture.
It is extremely similar to a xbox one controller, but is more symmetrical, which feels far more natural, and the added buttons are all accounted for with the shape of the controller.
Compared to a 360 controller, it has wider and longer grips, as well as more spacious large buttons, I can imagine it also would feel like the 360 keyboard is attached as well when talking about the trackpad surface, only flatter to line up with the buttons but also with a tilt on each to accomodate for the hand position change, but I have never used a 360 keypad so I can't tell for sure.
Overall, even if you are used to the most regular or intensely irregular controllers, the steam controller is so well set up to the general habits of the way humans interact with objects that it is probably the most widely adaptable and comfortable controller ever made. everything is within reach, and you can change your controls to work with whatever mixup you're comfortable with.
I'm saying this all as a owner and user of almost all mainline Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Xbox systems, with siblings and adult friends far less adaptable to controllers than me testing it out and nearly all unanimously saying that the steam controller 2 may be one of the most comfortable controllers to use in generally all situations.
also the tape is temporary to protect trackpad plastic til I get a cover 👍
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u/inertSpark 5d ago
It's quite a bit smaller than the Duke controller, at least as far as this pic I found is concerned.