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.
ThatSpoonyBard Nov 6
Quoting: officerniceDrives 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.
buckysrevenge Nov 6
Quoting: officerniceDrives 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
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.
Quoting: JustinWoodI'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.
Quoting: officerniceDrives 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.
ElectricPrism Nov 6
Quoting: RavenWingsLooks 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)
Mountain Man Nov 7
Quoting: RavenWingsLooks 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.
Quoting: Mountain ManIt's not quite that simple, I'm afraid.Quoting: RavenWingsLooks 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.
Quoting: ThatSpoonyBardThe 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.
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me