Steam Controllers Unavailable Until 2027
Finding out that your new gaming hardware is more sought after than anticipated is a great dilemma to have, but it’s not as enjoyable for those left waiting. The Steam Controller, a solid yet pricey option for gaming, sold out in under an hour on its launch day, May 4. Priced at $100, it was quickly restocked with a new reservation system aimed at curbing scalpers. However, the queues for reservations are lasting much longer than expected, with Valve now informing potential buyers that they might not receive their controller until 2027 at the earliest.
In a recent update, Valve acknowledged that initial demand far exceeded their expectations. They mentioned that the reservation system, implemented after the initial rush, has hopefully alleviated some customer frustrations and has been beneficial for planning production to meet demand. Unfortunately, even with these measures, they still can’t keep up with the overwhelming interest.
Moving forward, when you make a reservation for the controller, a small note will indicate when you can expect your order to be fulfilled. If you check today, you’ll likely see the rather disheartening message: “2027.”
For those who have already reserved a controller in the past few weeks, you can now check your expected delivery timeframe. The options are broken down into three windows: by September 2026, by December 2026, and in 2027. Valve has indicated that more specific timing details will be provided for the last option.
The intense demand is understandable. Valve’s previous controller was well-received and uniquely designed for PC gaming, and the upcoming version is an upgrade in every aspect. While it may look unconventional, the dual trackpads provide mouse-like control for PC gaming using your thumbs, while the rest of the controller includes all the features you’d expect from a competitive model. It’s essentially a Steam Deck without the screen, and with the impending launch of Valve’s Steam Machine mini-PCs, it’s poised to be the go-to controller for that setup—if you can manage to snag one.
This situation raises another intriguing question: it’s widely anticipated that the Steam Machine, which will soon have a release date announcement, will be bundled with a Steam Controller. This makes perfect sense, as it’s designed to be a PC for your living room, allowing you to game from the couch. Setting up a mouse and keyboard in that scenario isn’t practical, and while an Xbox controller might suffice for some titles, it won’t cut it for a satisfying game of Civilization VII. So, is Valve holding back Steam Controllers for the upcoming launch of the Machines? It would be odd to withhold them for at least six months while not selling them separately, but not bundling them would be equally puzzling. Regardless, expect the Steam Machine to sell out just as quickly. We’ve reached out to Valve for clarification.
