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Valve's Steam Controller Evolution: From Trackpads to Joysticks
14 Nov
Summary
- Valve's original Steam Controller had trackpads instead of joysticks
- The trackpads were a poor fit for games designed for standard controllers
- Valve learned from this and designed the Steam Deck with both trackpads and joysticks
In November 2025, Valve's original Steam Controller, which had been collecting dust for years, was given a second chance. The controller, which featured a unique design with trackpads instead of joysticks, was tested with the classic game Half-Life 2. However, the experience revealed a significant flaw in Valve's approach.
The Steam Controller's trackpads, while offering a unique and potentially innovative input method, struggled to provide a satisfactory experience for games designed with standard controllers in mind. Users found themselves having to adapt to using the left pad as a directional pad and the right pad as a replacement for the right joystick, which often felt clunky and unintuitive.
Valve has since learned from this misstep and applied those lessons to the design of the Steam Deck. The new handheld gaming device retains the haptic trackpads that were a hallmark of the original Steam Controller, but it also incorporates two real joysticks and a directional pad. This hybrid approach allows the Steam Deck to cater to both traditional controller enthusiasts and those seeking a more innovative input experience.
The new Steam Controller, which takes inspiration from the Steam Deck's layout, continues Valve's efforts to strike a balance between classic controller design and the company's own unique vision for gaming input. By combining the best of both worlds, Valve aims to provide a more versatile and user-friendly controller experience for PC gamers.
