Shipping records suggest Valve will launch the Steam Controller before the Steam Machine

[midian182]

Something to look forward to: Valve still hasn't confirmed a precise release window for the Steam Machine beyond saying it will ship sometime this year, but it appears that the new Steam Controller could arrive a lot sooner. Shipping documents show the company is stocking up on the device, suggesting it could be the first of Valve's three new products to launch.

The shipping manifest, posted on X by industry insider Brad Lynch, details the import of a "Wireless PC Controller" that arrived in the US from Hong Kong on April 4.

– Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) April 13, 2026

Public import records show the shipment was destined for Valve Corporation and originated from Cheng Uei Precision Ind. Co Ltd – a Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer best known as Foxlink.

While the documents don't reveal how many controllers are in the shipment, they specify 40 packages with a gross weight of 12,970 kg (14.3 tons), which is obviously a lot.

This isn't the first sign pointing to Valve releasing the Steam Controller before the Steam Machine. In March, Lynch revealed new code from Valve's website that described the user experience of detecting and connecting the controller and the wireless puck.

– Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) April 2, 2026

The Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame were originally supposed to launch before March this year, but like so many other products, they were delayed because of the memory crisis.

Valve pushed the devices' launch date to the first half of 2026, which ends in less than two months, but the company said in March that all three products would be shipping "this year."

Most PC gamers would like to see the Steam Controller launch ahead of the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. Releasing it first makes sense from Valve's point of view as the controller isn't directly affected by memory shortages like the other two products.

The device borrows heavily from the Steam Deck's input layout, pairing dual trackpads with TMR magnetic thumbsticks, gyro aiming, and capacitive Grip Sense tech that can activate motion controls only when the pad is being held.

Other features include four rear buttons, upgraded haptics in the trackpads and grips, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless via a dongle, USB-C wired support, and broad Windows, Mac, and Linux compatibility.

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Shipping records suggest Valve will launch the Steam Controller before the Steam Machine

 

[The Talking Tech]

If it cost more than $59.99 consider it dead on arrival.... hardcore gamers will spend more than that but if people at Valve are smarter they would want to make prices cheaper to cater to the casual gamer as Valve can only sell so much without expanding their clientele.

 

[mbrowne5061]

If it cost more than $59.99 consider it dead on arrival.... hardcore gamers will spend more than that but if people at Valve are smarter they would want to make prices cheaper to cater to the casual gamer as Valve can only sell so much without expanding their clientele.

Wut?

If its $60 and has dual track pads, its an insta-buy from me. Those track pads on the OG Steam Controller were such a game changer, I am honestly surprised they didn't become standard on every other console controller. They make all the difference in things like "colonization" games, strategy games, and other games with "god view".

 

[Billybobjoey]

If it cost more than $59.99 consider it dead on arrival.... hardcore gamers will spend more than that but if people at Valve are smarter they would want to make prices cheaper to cater to the casual gamer as Valve can only sell so much without expanding their clientele.

Not sure if you've looked at controller prices recently but (first party) Xbox controllers are $65, PS5 controllers are $75, and (first party) Switch 2 controllers are at $90 for the pro controller or $100 for a pair of joy cons. Given all the tech they're cramming into this thing plus including the wireless charging puck I'd say they can probably get away with $120. I'd appreciate it being lower than that but I'm not expecting it.

 

[The Talking Tech]

First of all, Xbox controllers are often on sale for $38.00 bucks, Sony trying to capitalize on more expensive controllers is the reason why Xbox is the number one preferred controller in the gaming industry...about Nintendo they never lower any prices since they don't care about the consumer but their bottom line on anything they produce.

So in short Valve will see more Xbox controllers paired up and running with the Steam machine than their own controller priced above $60.00

 

[Billybobjoey]

First of all, Xbox controllers are often on sale for $38.00 bucks

They're also the most "dumb" of the big three official controllers. They've got rumble in the triggers that they've had since I want to say the 360 and that's about it. No gyro, pretty basic rumble, no adaptive triggers, no microphone. Can't even throw a color LED in the logo button on the basic controller. If you don't need or want any of those things then yeah price is the big thing it's got going for it and why it's continue to sell as well as it has. Well, that and stick drift, which the steam controller actually has TMR sticks.

So in short Valve will see more Xbox controllers paired up and running with the Steam machine than their own controller priced above $60.00

I don't doubt this at all, it's why PowerA controllers for the Switch are likely more common than the official ones. The controller was always going to be niche, just like the first iteration.

 

[Subset6]

I'm planning to buy one, but yikes, the close-up makes that D-pad look really mushy and cheap.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

First of all, Xbox controllers are often on sale for $38.00 bucks, Sony trying to capitalize on more expensive controllers is the reason why Xbox is the number one preferred controller in the gaming industry...about Nintendo they never lower any prices since they don't care about the consumer but their bottom line on anything they produce.

So in short Valve will see more Xbox controllers paired up and running with the Steam machine than their own controller priced above $60.00

Products that constantly sell well dont go on sale.

 

[The Talking Tech]

Products that constantly sell well dont go on sale.

It comes down to company's stubborn point of view...when something don't sell well they can't afford to sell it at a loss such is the case of the PS5 controller in contrast to the Xbox controller that has sold sold 10 to 1 around the world ... But then we look at Nintendo, no matter how poorly their pro controller sells they still refuse to drop the price.