Hori’s much-anticipatedSteamController for PC is now available for pre-orders in the US. The gaming peripheral will start shipping in December, just in time for the holidays. The Hori Steam controller was initially released in October of this year, though units were limited to the Japanese market.
PC gamers in the US market can finally get their hands on the officially licensed controller for Steam. Scheduled for a July 25, 2025 release, prospective buyers can pre-order the gamepad for $60 on Amazon. What sets the Hori Steam controller apart from other gaming controllers is that its design closely resembles the Steam Deck’s built-in control layout. If you own ahandheld gaming PC, it’s not hard to notice some striking similarities between it and the upcoming controller.
What Gamers Can Expect From The Hori Steam Controller
ThePC controllersegment is becoming saturated by a growing number of gamepads that allow players to customize buttons, enhance the ambiance of their gaming room with RGB lighting, and much more. With the Hori Steam controller’s release drawing close, it’s not surprising that many players are curious about its capabilities.
Like mostcustomizable controllers, you can map controls to the four additional buttons found on the Hori gamepad. Simply use the Hori companion app to assign controls as desired. If you don’t have time to personalize the controls, you can stick to the default controller settings or download a community controller layout that meets your needs. You can also expect to find a gyro function that’ll allow you to get a better aim at enemies while playingFortniteor help with steering your car inForza Horizon 5.It’s worth mentioning that this feature is available only in Steam Mode.
The controller also features a Turbo Function that allows you to rapidly fire at targets. Players who love shooter games likeTom Clancy’s The Division TwoorGhost Recon: Wildlandswill appreciate this feature, especially when facing enemies wearing heavy armor. Whether you like to play wirelessly or with a wired connection, rest assured that the Hori Steam controller supports both connectivity options.
Accessing controller settings is easy as players just have to use the companion app to adjust things like analog stick sensitivity or button mapping. The Hori controller also comes with a Steam button which takes the user to the Steam Menu or turns on Big Picture Mode. Players will also find the button with three white dots, also known as the quick access button, on the controller. Just like the Steam Deck, the quick access button brings up a settings menu.
While the Hori controller excels in customization and button layout, it’s hard to ignore the absence of certain features. For instance, the dual trackpads on both sides of the Steam Deck are unavailable on the Hori controller. Seeing as each trackpad contains a click that can easily emulate a mouse or play games you’d normally need amouse and keyboardfor, it’s surprising that they’re not present.
The Hori controller also lacks a rumble feature, robbing players of the tactile feedback that not only adds immersion, but alerts the player when taking damage or upon collision with an obstacle. The controller will not be launched with a headphone jack either. At $60 a pop, one would expect the Hori controller would include one or all of the missing features. Despite these shortcomings, it’s still a great option, especially for those who majorly play on Steam or own a Steam Deck.
Hori Steam Controller for PC
The Hori Steam controller for PC comes with a button layout that’s closely related to the Steam Deck. While it lacks some beloved features such as rumble and headphone jack, it makes up for that by supporting varying levels of customization. From switching from digital and analog modes for the triggers to mapping controls, this gamepad promises users an amazing time gaming for an extended period. At $60 per unit, it seems like a fair deal.
