Valve’s Steam Controllers Backordered—Delivery Slips to 2027

Finding that your new hardware is more popular than anticipated is a pleasant surprise, but being on the receiving end is far less enjoyable. Valve’s Steam Controller—a solid but pricey gaming peripheral—sold out in under an hour on its May 4 launch. The $100 unit was quickly restocked, and Valve introduced a reservation system to deter scalpers, yet the wait times are now far longer than anyone predicted. The company has warned that new buyers may not receive their controllers until 2027 at the earliest.

In a Steam announcement, Valve noted that demand had surged beyond expectations. The newly implemented reservation system, introduced hastily, has helped reduce customer frustration and enables the company to better plan production and distribution. Nonetheless, the system still cannot keep pace with the overwhelming demand.

Going forward, each reservation will display a brief estimate of when the order will be fulfilled. If you click the button today, the system will likely return the bleak yet accurate date of 2027.

The enthusiastic buzz surrounding Valve’s latest controller is well deserved. Building on the success of its predecessor, the 2026 model refines every aspect of the design. Its dual trackpads grant thumb‑controlled mouse precision, while the rest of the device delivers the full suite of features gamers expect from a top‑tier competitor. Think of it as a Steam Deck stripped of its screen, primed to become the go‑to interface for Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine mini‑PCs. If you can secure one, it will likely become the preferred method of interaction.

Rumors are swirling that the highly anticipated Steam Machine will debut in a bundle that includes this new Steam Controller. The concept makes sense: a compact PC that sits beneath your TV, letting you game from the couch without the hassle of a mouse and keyboard. While a standard Xbox controller might suffice for some titles, it falls short of delivering the depth of a full‑scale strategy game like Civilization VII. Valve’s decision to tie the controller to the machine, rather than sell it separately, raises questions about strategy and timing.

Will Valve hold back the Steam Controllers until the summer launch of the Machines? Skipping a standalone release for at least six months would be unconventional, yet delaying the bundle could also perplex consumers. Regardless of the approach, every price point is expected to sell out instantly. We’ve reached out to Valve for clarification.