Nearly five years after the discontinuation of the experimental Steam Controller by Valve, a new officially licensed gamepad for Steam is making its way onto the market. Created by Hori, the Wireless Horipad for Steam is set to launch in Japan on October 31st. While reminiscent of the Steam Deck in design with its menu buttons and gyro controls, it lacks certain features like rumble, a full set of back buttons, and the signature trackpads of the Steam Controller.
The Wireless Horipad for Steam offers Bluetooth wireless and USB-C wired connections, as well as customizable programmability through Hori’s software. It comes in four different colors and is priced at 7,890 yen in Japan. With four programmable buttons and ergonomic design, this new controller aims to provide a unique gaming experience for Steam users. However, unlike the Steam Deck, the Wireless Horipad only has two programmable buttons on the rear, with the other two positioned on the front below the D-pad and on the right thumbstick.
Having previously tested the wired Horipad Pro for Xbox, it is noted that the Wireless Horipad for Steam offers more advanced features such as wireless connectivity and additional programmable buttons. While the Horipad Pro received positive feedback for its ergonomics and D-pad, the Wireless Horipad seems to take it a step further with its customization options and sleek design.
It is uncertain whether the Wireless Horipad for Steam will be available outside of Japan in the near future. Hori’s decision to primarily launch the controller in its home country could be attributed to the growing popularity of PC gaming in Japan. With the rise of handheld gaming in the region, Valve’s partnership with Hori for the distribution of Steam Deck in Japan shows a strategic move towards catering to the Japanese market.
Valve’s recent statistics on gamepad usage in Steam indicate a growing trend towards controller gameplay. With new controller optimizations implemented in Steam, there is a possibility of seeing a variety of licensed Steam controllers from different manufacturers in the future. This could potentially lead to a wider range of wireless controller options for Steam users, similar to what is available for Xbox consoles.
The introduction of the Wireless Horipad for Steam presents an exciting development in the realm of Steam controllers. While it may not be a direct successor to the Steam Controller, it offers innovative features and customization options that cater to the evolving needs of PC gamers. As the market for gamepad usage continues to expand, we can expect further advancements and collaborations in the realm of Steam gaming controllers.
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