Steam Controller launches in May with a huge host of specs and features

After years of development, testing, and rumors, Valve has officially announced a release date and a variety of features for its newest product, the Steam Controller.

While this is technically the Steam Controller 2.0, with the original launching in the 2010s, Valve decided to keep the branding the same for the new iteration. Unlike the original, however, the 2026 Steam Controller looks to be a technical marvel in the gaming controller space. The review embargo for the product has been lifted, and early testers have been thoroughly impressed with all of the features and specs Valve was able to fit inside the bulky controller.

The Steam Controller is set to launch worldwide on May 4 at 1 pm ET, and you can purchase it directly from Steam’s website. As we saw with some early leaks of the new product, the Steam Controller is going to cost $99, which many fans weren’t too happy about when they initially heard the price point. However, it appears Valve is doing its best to justify that price with a large host of features that make the Steam Controller a true jack-of-all-trades input device.

You can read about the suite of specs for the Steam Controller on the website, but allow me to break down some of the highlights.

Starting off with the build design of the Steam Controller, there are multiple inputs available right at your fingertips. You can use the joysticks and buttons as you would on a normal controller, but there are also two trackpads that can be used like a mouse. While the use case for these trackpads will be fairly niche, they should allow you to keep the controller in your hand without having to reach for your actual mouse to navigate Steam or other apps on your computer.

The Steam Controller can also be used in a few different modes. There’s the traditional USB and Bluetooth modes, which allow you to use the controller wired or wirelessly, but Valve has included a Steam Controller Puck that blends those two modes together. The puck plugs into the controller, but it connects wirelessly to your PC and acts as a charger for the controller as well. Think of it as playing wirelessly, but without as much input latency.

Finally, Valve has ensured the Steam Controller matches up with any other high-end, modern controller on the market with its specs. You’ll get two magnetic TMR thumbsticks, which are designed to reduce stick drift and increase responsiveness, as well as full rumble capabilities and plenty of additional input options, such as gyro motion control. The Steam Controller also comes with four buttons on the back of the controller, so you don’t have to take your fingers off the thumbsticks to press a button.

As you would expect, the Steam Controller is usable across any computer or device that can run Steam. This includes Windows, Mac, Steam Deck, Steam Frame, and, eventually, the Steam Machine. Steam devices also give you the ability to customize the controller using Steam Input, allowing you to change certain functions of a button, thumbstick, etc.

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PlayStation exclusive Saros is coming soon, and not long is left before you can dive in and enjoy the content. The exact release date and time will differ based on which edition you’ve purchased. Nevertheless, this guide has you covered regarding the exact moment you’ll be able to enjoy what Saros has to offer.

Saros release countdown

Saros goes live globally on April 29 in the Americas, but on April 30 in other regions. However, there’s an early access window that is available with the Digital Deluxe Edition. The early access offers up to 48 hours of extra gameplay for the owners. The following countdown will expire once the early access begins.

[hurrytimer id=”1210198″]

The countdown is based on the following timings.

• 9pm PDT (April 27)
• 11pm CDT (April 27)
• 12am EDT
• 4am UTC
• 5am BST
• 6am CET
• 1pm JST
• 2pm AEST

The following countdown will expire once the Standard Edition goes live. This is the official time of launch when everyone can start enjoying the content.

[hurrytimer id=”1210199″]

• 9pm PDT (April 29)
• 11pm CDT (April 29)
• 12am EDT
• 4am UTC
• 5am BST
• 6am CET
• 1pm JST
• 2pm AEST

What to expect from Saros

Saros is a PS5 exclusive that puts you in the shoes of Arjun Devraj. As a Soltari enforcer, you’re tasked with investigating Carcosa. At its heart, the game is a rogue-lite experience, where failure will happen. However, you will still gain something from one run that you can carry to the next one.

Every run will feature dangerous enemies and bosses to take down. To help your cause, you’ll be able to customize your loadout and improve your weapons across your runs. You’ll also gain different resources that will help you to do that. Finally, you can always make use of your Second Chance mechanic (needs to be unlocked), which works as a reset switch if something goes terribly wrong.

While things look and sound pretty exciting, Saros will only be available to PS5 players for the time being. There’s always a chance for it to arrive later on PC, but that seems quite unlikely as of writing.

The post Saros release countdown: Exact date and time appeared first on Destructoid.