Introduction

Hori is making waves in the gaming community by introducing its officially licensed Steam controller to the US market. Scheduled for release on December 16th, the $60 gamepad is now available for preorder on Amazon, sparking excitement among gamers eager to enhance their Steam experience.

Features of the Hori Controller

Originally launched in Japan back in October, the Wireless Horipad for Steam is designed to seamlessly integrate with Steam's ecosystem. It features dedicated buttons tailored for navigating menus, whether you're in Big Picture Mode or using Hori's own handheld gaming device. Gamers will appreciate the touch-sensitive joysticks, which can be manipulated for motion controls, alongside customizable back buttons for added versatility.

Connectivity and Battery Life

The Hori controller connects effortlessly to your computer or Steam Deck via Bluetooth or the included USB-A Bluetooth receiver. Promising a gameplay duration of up to 12 hours on a full charge, it ensures you won’t be left hanging in the middle of an intense session. And for those moments when you run low on battery, a USB cable connection is available, offering a quick power boost.

Customization Options

In addition to standard features, users can enjoy remapping buttons and fine-tuning stick sensitivity, gyro settings, and turbo functionality directly from the controller menu in Steam. However, the controller does come with some notable omissions. It lacks rumble feedback, a headset jack, and a trackpad—features that may disappoint some veteran gamers who have high expectations for Steam-specific peripherals.

Conclusion

Despite these limitations, the Hori controller stands out. It serves as an excellent alternative for those looking for a comfortable, user-friendly extension of their Steam Deck experience. With Valve’s previous discontinuation of the highly customizable Steam controller in 2019, this new addition is a timely offering for enthusiasts who long for similar functionality.

Stay tuned as we bring you updates on the controller’s performance and user reviews following its release—will it live up to the hype and fill the gap left by Valve?