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Since demand far exceeded Valve's own expectations for the new Steam Controller, they're implementing a reservation system. Perhaps something they should be using for any hardware release they plan to do.

ICYMI: check out what I thought of the new Steam Controller.

In a fresh announcement Valve said that beginning tomorrow (May 8th) at 10 am Pacific (5PM UTC) they will be opening a reservation queue for the new Steam Controller. Your place will be saved and when it gets back in stock, order emails will be sent in the same order that reservations were made. This is a similar system to what they did with the Steam Deck.

Valve noted a few other important details:

Reservation details:

  • Reservations will be limited to one Steam Controller per user.
  • Once you receive an order email, you have three days (72 hours) to make your purchase on Steam.
  • For now, customers who have already purchased a Steam Controller are not yet eligible to reserve another Steam Controller.

Additionally:

  • Your account must be in good standing on Steam
  • You must have made a purchase on Steam prior to April 27, 2026

Replenishment of inventory will vary from region to region. We will start fulfilling reservations next week in the US / Canada, and UK / EU / AU in the following weeks.

The cost remains the same at US: $99 USD / Canada: $149 CAD / EU: €99 / UK: £85 / AUD 149 / PLN 419.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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15 comments

DryPapHmrBro 16 hours ago
No crap they had to do this lmao, supply<demand at the moment, so why shouldn't they?
Cyba.Cowboy 16 hours ago
This is a great idea, and it blows my mind that they didn't do this in the first place! Also, I love the fact that you've taken the time to convert the price to local pricing... It's always nice when somebody remembers that America isn't actually the Center of the Known Universe.

Hopefully they do something like this with the Steam Frame and Steam Machine, because the hardware is already borderline outdated and if people are missing out due to a low effort release, it's going to be outdated by the time a user finally gets their hands on the hardware!
DryPapHmrBro 15 hours ago
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyThis is a great idea, and it blows my mind that they didn't do this in the first place! Also, I love the fact that you've taken the time to convert the price to local pricing... It's always nice when somebody remembers that America isn't actually the Center of the Known Universe.

Hopefully they do something like this with the Steam Frame and Steam Machine, because the hardware is already borderline outdated and if people are missing out due to a low effort release, it's going to be outdated by the time a user finally gets their hands on the hardware!
Hope they do similar for the GabeCube
Ehvis 15 hours ago
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This was how they handled the Steam Deck, so the system existed already. I guess they really didn't expect to sell out so quickly.
Mountain Man 15 hours ago
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Considering how poorly the original Steam Controller was received, I don't blame Valve for underestimating demand. The difference now is that the success of the Steam Deck has made people more accepting of what is still a radical departure from traditional controller design.
Renzatic Gear 13 hours ago
Fortunately, I was able to get in just ahead of the rush, and grab one for myself. It's currently sitting in a box somewhere in Washington state. I bet it has a label on it and everything.

No, I'm not impatient at all.
Gerarderloper 8 hours ago
Don't bother guys, my buy-bot will be placing a million separate orders for ALL THIS STOCK.

You can contact me afterwards and buy them off me for a %200 markup because I'm such a nice guy!

In all seriousness, I just want one of these because my Guikit controller only lasts a few hours due to its ultra aggressive power management (turning it on vibrates, it powers off after 2mins).

And also I want a controller with trackpads because some stuff I play needs me to click specific areas of screen and its just real annoying cycling through with D-pad etc... Plus I hear these Steam Controllers are great power management.

Last edited by Gerarderloper on 8 May 2026 at 3:01 am UTC
elmapul 7 hours ago
Quoting: Mountain ManConsidering how poorly the original Steam Controller was received, I don't blame Valve for underestimating demand. The difference now is that the success of the Steam Deck has made people more accepting of what is still a radical departure from traditional controller design.
... and the fact that this controller dont have any missing feature+new features...
and tmr sticks
GustyGhost 6 hours ago
I thought that the whole point of the announcement and store pages which encouraged people to wishlist this hardware was so that Valve could gauge interest.

At the very least they could have estimated interest based on traffic through their store pages.
elmapul 6 hours ago
Quoting: GustyGhostI thought that the whole point of the announcement and store pages which encouraged people to wishlist this hardware was so that Valve could gauge interest.

At the very least they could have estimated interest based on traffic through their store pages.
to be fair, their wishlist system dont allow you to tell then, you want more than one unit...
and it should, it was quite common for people to have up to 4 controllers, they should support at least that
HendrinMckay 5 hours ago
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Sadly this isn’t going to help. Prices have shot up on steam account selling sites and number of accounts available dropping quick as soon as this was announced so I assuming scalpers are already prepared and we will see extremely long months waits despite this. Not sure what else can be done though.
shadow1w2 4 hours ago
Hmm, they did this with Steam Deck, worked well.
Hopefully the turn around isn't an entire year heh.

I want the frame next and wish I knew the price already.
This wait list would be great for that out of the gate.

They really should do this by default with new hardware.
Eike 3 hours ago
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I understand why they were not sure about the success of Steam Controller 2.
It does look bulky to me, and yes, it's not a cheap one.
neolith 2 hours ago
Finally. Now I might be able to get one.
melkemind 2 hours ago
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I got mine yesterday and am loving it. It's pretty comfortable to hold, and it's definitely my main controller from now on.
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