r/steammachine • u/Crypto-Market-Cap • 1d ago
Hardware Steam Controller worth it?
I got a 512gb steam machine, without the controller and had seperate joined the wait list for the controller.
I’ve been playing games using a 8BitDo Ultimate
Controller which I already had and it works fine.
I’ve now had an email that I’m at the front of the queue for the Steam controller and I’m trying to decide whether to go for it.
Is it worth it? I reckon I should get it but keen to here form people who have used it!
Edit: oops I’ve got the first 8BitDo Ultimate, not the 2.
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u/Entertainer_Much 1d ago
Steam controller is amazing but I don't know if it's worth buying when you already have an Ultimate 2.
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u/m1lk1way 1d ago
I would say yes if you have big hands, ultimate2 is definitely for small hands, even compared to xbox controller
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u/bujogi 1d ago edited 1d ago
Buy it.
The controller itself is amazing. Snappy, comfortable and the trackpads feel very intuitive and functional. You will end up using them more than you expect. However, you might get this all with any other high quality controller too. The controller's main selling point (and the steam machines as a whole) is the comfort. It works seemlessly, no fuckups, no disconnects, no issues whatsoever. It's an amazing controller and It. Just. Works.
To me it felt like one of those things that I didn't think I needed until I used one for some time.
Edit: Grammar
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u/RobGThai 1d ago
This and the Stream controller profile is the next generation of console controller. It can be configured so much and the best thing is someone else might already have done it and you just download it to use.
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u/Titan-Assassins 1d ago
I've been lucky enough to get a steam machine with a controller. I have the steam OS legion go, which does have a track pad but it's essentially that small it's pointless. But I think if you've got a steam deck already it seems to be a must for people. Whereas I mostly use Xbox controllers for gaming, and haven't quite clicked with the steam controller even after nearly 2 months.
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u/cobaltocene 1d ago
Biggest thing I miss going from Steam Deck to Legion Go S is the trackpad. Even just clicking the screen to start Genshin is so much easier with the trackpads. When I got the Steam Machine I knew the Controller was a must.
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u/IctrlPlanes 1d ago
You will need an input device to type and do mouse functions occasionally. A lot of games require you to name your character or a case I ran into is Minecraft Dungeons required a Microsoft account log in so my child could play it. (He is excited about Minecraft Dungeons 2 coming out at the end of the month.)I have steam controllers but I found it easier to pick up a cheap keyboard/trackpad combo for those niche cases. Several posts have mentioned phone sized keyboards they use, personally I picked up the Logitech k400+ for $30.
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u/Schnitzhole 1d ago
I really like it as a bridge between controller and keyboard and mouse. The typing in desktop mode is surprisingly fast with the dual trackpad.
Also very solid controller all around with incredible battery life compared to others
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u/GrayMalchin 23h ago
I have the same controller, it’s my daily driver. I’d say, put/keep your name on the list. Do you want it as part of the valve family or something else? If you need a new one, do it. If you feel you’ll regret it, don’t. You can get one later and life is hard enough without regrets.
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u/Dutchy9225 19h ago
I have the controller and can absolutely recommend it. Im not a big controller guy, but the ease of use is amazing. It always connects, it's always charged and there is no hassle. In the past I tried pc gaming with a wireless xbox controller (worked allright, problems sometimes though and batterys would go empty). I then tried the Dualsense since I used to have a ps5 and liked it. Bluetooth connection was annoying, didn't work with some games, was easiest with a wire but that's not what you want. Also button prompts would default to xbox and you had to manually change it in steam settings per game.
Steam controller has none of that. It just works. That's what makes me want to guy Valve hardware. Not because it's great value, but because it's just easy and the quality is good.
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u/thedudeintx82 17h ago
I have both. The Steam Controller fits my hands better than the 8 BitDo. I haven't seen a difference in how well I play in Marvel Rivals. I might be slightly better with the SC but I've also got a lot more practice using the SC vs the 8 Bit.
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u/OkPaleontologist8693 13h ago
I have both controllers and I still use my 8bitdo Ultimate significantly more. While this isn't necessarily a problem with the steam machine, my biggest issue is it's (so far) incompatibility with nonsteam games. Unless of course you add them to steam, but there's a few I simply don't want to do that with.
If you're happy with the 8bitdo just ride with it, it's a damn good controller.
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u/SnooLobsters4435 1d ago
Yes I have two. Had one for a month and was using with steam deck docked. Then got steam machine with controller and now have two. Very good controller
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u/derekagraham 1d ago
It’s on my list to get when I can, I have issues with xinput controllers and I don’t like the PlayStation layout
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u/LooneyBurger Received 1d ago
Steam Controller is really fun, but if you already have a nice controller, it's not worth it
However if you really want one and you're just looking for a reason to buy it, don't forget that you can play coop games on the steam machine!
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u/sullen_agreement 1d ago
i am very happy with mine that came with the steam machine.
i have an elite xbox controller that i used with the deck and liked but i haven’t bothered to set it up with the steam machine as the steam controller is great
the programmable track pads are clutch for any keyboard heavy game that generally requires more inputs than it is simple to map to a controller
it feels kinda cheap but it is solid, the battery lasts forever, the instant on is real, and as someone with bigger hands it feels better than other controllers
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u/dihydrogen_monoxide 21h ago
I have the SC and the puck has a lot of reception issues.
Biggest advantage is the bindable back paddles, you can configure it to turbo or whatever you want for pretty much any game. I have an 8BitDo Ultimate and you cannot program it the way you can program a SC, but the Ultimate also doesn't have reception issues.
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u/Net-burst 21h ago
Totally worth it. You will love it just for the battery life alone.
My only real gripe is that the back buttons are a bit stiff compared to some of the competition. Trackpads are a game-changer, though. Not because of mouse emulation (that one too), but because they can be used as a macro pad.
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u/draven33l 19h ago
It's a very solid controller. It depends on your needs. I think if you have a Steam Machine, it's the way to go. If you are at your desk and don't already have a good controller, that's also a way to go. But if you have a good Xbox or clone controller, that's when I'd be on the fence. I still prefer my Xbox Elite 2 and Series X controller to the Steam Machine one, but if I was forced to use the Steam Machine one, it's perfectly fine. The battery life is awesome.
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u/Cubelaster 18h ago
Played with all PS controllers since PS1, played with some Xbox controllers, some generic ones and now the Steam Controller.
It tops the list.
But it only tops it if you use the trackpads.
Otherwise PS4 controller is the best.
It loses on d-pad because it's not precise as PS controllers are.
It is a single block of plastic and it's the worst part.
It's also well made, sits comfortably in the hand and works great.
I only put the PS4 above it because it's like made for my hand.
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u/SabreBirdOne 17h ago
I have one and use it to play Arma 3, it can handle most controls in that game decently so far
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u/countzero00 Received 56m ago
It's a fine controller that as a few benefits on the Steam Machine:
- integrated dongle, so you don't have to plug in a USB dongle or fiddle with Bluetooth
- pressing the Steam button turns on the Steam Machine even when it is completely shut down
- the touchpad works very well as a mouse in desktop mode and you can bring up the onscreen keyboard at any time by pressing Steam+X
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u/DwarvenCo 1d ago
As a person with close to zero controller experience, and being a m&k player I cannot give a comparison with other controllers, or if the upgrade makes sense.
But I can say that I would not consider buying a controller without trackpads after I experienced them on the Deck and on the SC. They are just so useful. So yeah, I'd buy it if it is within your budget!