End Rating: 9/10

BACKGROUND:

I got the Steam Controller because I like revelational technology and interesting new ways to experience the entertainment we call "Gaming". I'm a programmer and everything I do has a PC component: TV, social media, calls, work, and gaming. For the longest time I have considered every aspect of a computer better than a console.

PCs are easily updatable and upgradable, they perform many more functions than a console, they are more portable, personalizable, and their gaming potential has always been--to me--more purposeful and accurate.

So obviously I don't often game on consoles and when I do I always have trouble with the poor accuracy of the basic console controllers. But the Steam Controller intrigued me for its potential and open-minded design. When I finally got a Steam Controller I specifically bought some games that would pair well with a controller as opposed to the PC so I could measure how it performed compared to the industry standard for consoles. I was happily surprised.

CRITIQUE:

The Steam Controller takes some time to get used to because it really is a blend of a controller and a mouse; and it is a very good blend at that. It can easily play any controller based game without issue and work just as expected, but where it excells above and beyond a standard controller is in its PC-minded customization.

CONTROLLER-USE RELATED:

The Steam Controller can be rebound to your hearts desire, but it goes even further than that. Just as you can alter the hardware and software of your computer, you can do the same with the Steam Controller. You can set and name the buttons, adjust dead-zones on the touch pads, you can even rebind the left touch pad to be a second set of four buttons. You can set each button as a Macro to perform several button presses at once and have buttons change the purpose of other buttons while held down.

The dramatic customization options not only improve and personalize a gamer's experience, but inhance its tactile effect as well as performance. I have yet to investigate it myself, but from simply checking out the customization menues I have become quite excited about the possibilties of customizing the motion-gyro as well: flying a piloting game by actually moving the controller for example.

All of that is simply the Steam Controller's use and versatility in controller-based gaming.

KEY & MOUSE RELATED:

The Steam Controller really shines when you realize you can make a PC exclusive, non-controller supported game into a controller game. With some customization you can perfect and create your own controller commands for any mouse and keyboard title. This kind of versatillity has yet to be matched and I am happy to say it will be hard to exceed the current power and potential of the Steam Controller in this aspect.

KUDOS:

On top of everything else, Valve has made the Steam Controller with the community in mind. Control schemes are available for download and upload as part of the community which makes finding the best control scheme for you without having to do it yourself easy. On top of that, having the same controls as friends or simply on multiple controllers is a breeze. What I salute Valve for, however, is examining community contributions and including the best as actual features in software updates. This means that improvements to the software are able to come sooner rather than later because Valve has a whole modding community assisting them at times or simply coming up with better improvements.

RATING 9/10:

If it's not obvious enough yet I give the Steam Controller 9/10. It works wonderfully and functionally now, but not only can it be improved with software advancements, but it will be improved because if Valve doesn't do it, there is a programmer out there who will.

COOL FEATURES:

The Steam Controller also works as a mouse when you are outside of steam, allowing you to stay on the couch to quickly find something on the internet or close out an alert. The Steam Controller also has a great built in keyboard function that mimics texting and is WAY better to use than standard controller-based keyboards of the thumb-to-and-enter-each-letter variety.

Comes with batteries and can be wireless or corded and the cord doubles as a wireless extender.

The price is a bit high for a PC controller, but when you consider the XBOX 360 Elite Controller is $150 and the Steam Controller is just as accurate and even an improvement on functionality it is a steal.

To see some extra stuff/good stuff to know when you have it: "Hidden" Steam Controller Tips and Tricks