If you're after a tightly integrated Steam Controller, maybe the new Wireless HORIPAD for Steam might be for you. And good news, it's finally releasing in the USA.
Originally announced back in June it was previously only available in Japan. At least now it's coming to the USA on December 16, many more people will be able to order it. This makes it significantly easier for everyone else too, since importing will be simpler.
Quite a feature-filled controller with 4 extra buttons (2 on the front at the bottom, 2 on the back) to program to do whatever you want. Unlike a lot of other controllers (I'm talking about you 8bitdo), you can actually change the extra buttons via Steam Input too. It also has Capacitive Touch thumbsticks, gyro, and dedicated Steam function buttons.
HORI say it will give you about 12 hours of battery via Bluetooth, and can be used while plugged in and charging too. They claim full support of the Steam Deck, but curiously only say the wired mode via Xinput is for Windows 11/10 - likely they just haven't done any testing on desktop Linux.
There are some downsides however, including:
- No rumble.
- A built-in battery.
- No headset jack.
You can pre-order it on Amazon. Priced at $59.99. More on their website.
I'm a little torn. I don't need another controller, but I love tech, and it's a nice idea to have all the dedicated Steam buttons making it a great fit for my Steam Deck gaming when docked. Being able to actually have full support though of all the buttons directly via Steam is a big selling point for me. I've never really cared about rumble personally.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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What is it with these weird alien distorted gamepads? My hands are mirror images of each other, why aren't these gamepads symmetric? Also: no touchpads, no Steam controller.
11 Likes, Who?
still disapointed due to the lack of trackpads, but wow, now that sounds more like an official controller
4 Likes, Who?
What is it with these weird alien distorted gamepads? My hands are mirror images of each other, why aren't these gamepads symmetric? Also: no touchpads, no Steam controller.the goal is to make the most used buttons/stick more acessible than the others.
probably.
they assume we arent into fighting games...
3 Likes, Who?
IrisNebula Nov 6
I understand the lack of trackpads on a 3rd party controller, nobody has ever committed to them like Valve has. However no rumble is a deal breaker for me, it's a fantastic enhancement to games that use it properly. If it included rumble and had the left thumbstick and D-pad swapped to actually make sense, it would be one of the best controllers out there for sure.
In any case, it's a great start towards having 3rd party controllers that fully support the Steam Input API available in the market. Let's hope it starts a trend.
Last edited by IrisNebula on 6 November 2024 at 10:09 am UTC
In any case, it's a great start towards having 3rd party controllers that fully support the Steam Input API available in the market. Let's hope it starts a trend.
Last edited by IrisNebula on 6 November 2024 at 10:09 am UTC
4 Likes, Who?
If/when it shows up in Europe, I'm gonna get one.
2 Likes, Who?
How's the build quality?
I currently use a Dualsense controller for my gyro needs due to it being easily available and working out of the box under Linux without 3rd party software requirements or limited remapping support. But the lack of back buttons is definitely a con.
While 4 back buttons would be nicer, at least I could see use for the one below the joystick. And with it now being easier to get, I might consider it.
I currently use a Dualsense controller for my gyro needs due to it being easily available and working out of the box under Linux without 3rd party software requirements or limited remapping support. But the lack of back buttons is definitely a con.
While 4 back buttons would be nicer, at least I could see use for the one below the joystick. And with it now being easier to get, I might consider it.
3 Likes, Who?
No rumble is kind of weird. Also strange is that this is a controller for Steam and that is clearly on Valve's radar, but it's not being sold on Steam.
The weirdest thing though, is the use of double negatives in two of the three items of the list of missing features.
The weirdest thing though, is the use of double negatives in two of the three items of the list of missing features.
3 Likes, Who?
This is weird. While I do appreciate the extra Buttons, I cannot for the life of me come up with a reason for making a pricey controller without rumble support. For that price I'd never want to get a controller without force feedback. The 8BitDo and even the XBox controller both work fine.
3 Likes, Who?
RavenWings Nov 6
Looks alright, but its time for Valve to release the Deck-controls as a standalone-controller. Everything else just feels backwards at this point.
4 Likes, Who?
officernice Nov 6
Drives me nuts that the thumb sticks are never next to each other... Anybody got a good recommendation that's more akin to a PS controller but with "xbox" prompts for PC gaming? My brain refuses to translate PS and Xbox prompts #feelsold xD
3 Likes, Who?
ThatSpoonyBard Nov 6
Drives me nuts that the thumb sticks are never next to each other ... Anybody got a good recommendation that's more akin to a PS controller but with "xbox" prompts for PC gaming? My brain refuses to translate PS and Xbox prompts #feelsold xD
The GameSir Tarantula Pro might be up your alley. The dpad is terrible for fighting games, but the controller is pretty good in all other ways.
https://www.gamesir.hk/products/gamesir-tarantula-pro
I'll still be getting one of these Horipads, because I really want the Steam Input customization with gyro support.
1 Likes, Who?
buckysrevenge Nov 6
Drives me nuts that the thumb sticks are never next to each other... Anybody got a good recommendation that's more akin to a PS controller but with "xbox" prompts for PC gaming? My brain refuses to translate PS and Xbox prompts #feelsold xDThe Google stadia controller might work for you then, they can be gotten from eBay for a reasonable price
Last edited by buckysrevenge on 6 November 2024 at 7:33 pm UTC
0 Likes
I'm a bit confused, you pointed out that it doesn't have a "built-in battery" but also said that it can do 12 hours on battery via bluetooth.
As for recommendations for folks, I'll repeat the one I shared a few months back when this was initially covered and say that the Gulikit KK3 Pro offers multi platform support (Switch, Android, PC and their low latency dongle), decent battery life, gyro, rumble, and most importantly hall effect sticks and triggers. The Pro version also comes with attachable back paddles in two styles. It's not necessarily cheap, but versus potentiometer joysticks, hall effect sensors are more likely to give you a longer use period without worrying about stick drift.
As for recommendations for folks, I'll repeat the one I shared a few months back when this was initially covered and say that the Gulikit KK3 Pro offers multi platform support (Switch, Android, PC and their low latency dongle), decent battery life, gyro, rumble, and most importantly hall effect sticks and triggers. The Pro version also comes with attachable back paddles in two styles. It's not necessarily cheap, but versus potentiometer joysticks, hall effect sensors are more likely to give you a longer use period without worrying about stick drift.
2 Likes, Who?
I'm a bit confused, you pointed out that it doesn't have a "built-in battery" but also said that it can do 12 hours on battery via bluetooth.
I think he meant it has got a built-in battery and not replaceable ones. The sentence about what it does not have is a bit quirky.
0 Likes
Drives me nuts that the thumb sticks are never next to each other... Anybody got a good recommendation that's more akin to a PS controller but with "xbox" prompts for PC gaming? My brain refuses to translate PS and Xbox prompts #feelsold xD
Logitech F310? Seems like the one with the best GNU/Linux support in any case.
0 Likes
ElectricPrism Nov 6
Looks alright, but its time for Valve to release the Deck-controls as a standalone-controller. Everything else just feels backwards at this point.
That awkward moment you realize your Full & TKL [ QWERTY Keyboards ] have the [ Navigation Cluster ] and [ Number Pad ] on the right side and your OCD starts ticking up
( To be fair you can get Southpaw but it's still not symmetrical ( https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/search?q=southpaw )
--
I'll be the black sheep in the thread, I literally bought 4 DS4 controllers partially because I thought symmetrical was better, and in protest to buying Microsoft products and after what 10 years on Linux my ranking is this:
DS4 < XBONE <= Steam Controller < Steam Deck + Wifi as Controller
--
So regarding the HORI Controller, 59.99 seems like a good deal compared against 399.99 for a Steam Deck as a Controller -- but I wish Valve would just do a Controller App that links up over Bluetooth or whatever like Steam Link & Steam Controller.
Seeing as how this includes L3 R3 (On the front as M1 M2) and L4 R4 it looks like it's worth a test drive & shot (at least before buying 2, 3 or 4)
1 Likes, Who?
Well, I'm not trading my 8bitdo Pro 2 for that. While I understand the frustration of not complete Linux support, it is a genuine good controller and it is my weapon of choice for anything that is not FPS games, of which the trackpad of the Steam Controller is still king.
1 Likes, Who?
Mountain Man Nov 7
Looks alright, but its time for Valve to release the Deck-controls as a standalone-controller. Everything else just feels backwards at this point.Take the Steam Deck, remove the display, stick the remaining halves together, and there you go, the Steam Controller 2. It would literally be that simple.
1 Likes, Who?
It's not quite that simple, I'm afraid.Looks alright, but its time for Valve to release the Deck-controls as a standalone-controller. Everything else just feels backwards at this point.Take the Steam Deck, remove the display, stick the remaining halves together, and there you go, the Steam Controller 2. It would literally be that simple.
The Steam Deck can be held quite comfortably, but that is because it is a pretty wide device. The moment you take away the middle part, you'd be holding it differently. Your hands are much closer together, so that you'd have to change the angle of the grips to adjust for that. Of course that now also means that the buttons and trackpads might have to get rearranged. For the pads a slight change in angle might be a good idea. All in all designers have to take a lot into account regarding proper ergonomics, I recon.
0 Likes
The GameSir Tarantula Pro might be up your alley. The dpad is terrible for fighting games, but the controller is pretty good in all other ways.Holy cow, that is not a cheap controller!
https://www.gamesir.hk/products/gamesir-tarantula-pro
I'll still be getting one of these Horipads, because I really want the Steam Input customization with gyro support.
It has got some nice features, but that is a lot of money.
2 Likes, Who?
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