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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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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly checked on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly.
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25 comments
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tmtvl Nov 6
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.
elmapul Nov 6
still disapointed due to the lack of trackpads, but wow, now that sounds more like an official controller
elmapul Nov 6
Quoting: tmtvlWhat 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...
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
kuhpunkt Nov 6
If/when it shows up in Europe, I'm gonna get one.
_Mars Nov 6
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.
Ehvis Nov 6
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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.
neolith Nov 6
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.
Looks alright, but its time for Valve to release the Deck-controls as a standalone-controller. Everything else just feels backwards at this point.
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
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