June 28, 2024 –After nearly five years since Valve discontinued its experimental Steam Controller, a new officially licensed Steam controller is making its way to the market. However, this time, it’s not made by Valve but by the veteran Japanese peripheral manufacturer, Hori, and is currently only available in Japan.
The “Wireless Horipad for Steam,” as it’s called, shares the same menu button layout as the Steam Deck and features similar touch sensors on the tops of its joysticks to activate the gyroscope function. This controller supports both Bluetooth wireless and USB-C wired connections and allows for custom button programming through Hori’s software. While it bears many similarities to the Steam Deck, it’s not a true “Steam Controller 2.” The new device lacks vibration functionality, iconic rear buttons, and the highly praised touchpad found on the Steam Deck controller.
The new controller will hit the Japanese market on October 31st, offering four color options: black, white, fluorescent yellow, and violet. Priced at 7,890 yen, there’s currently no indication of whether the device will be available in other regions.
In terms of functionality, the Wireless Horipad bears some resemblance to the wired Horipad Pro currently sold for Xbox consoles. However, the Wireless Horipad offers wireless connectivity (albeit limited to Bluetooth) and features four programmable buttons (two on the front and two on the back of the controller).
According to statistics released by Valve today, the usage rate of controllers on the Steam platform is on the rise. This new offering from Hori might just be what Steam users are looking for, blending familiarity with new features and a touch of customization.
