Hori has been selected to create a new officially licensed gamepad for Steam, set to launch on October 31st in Japan. This marks the first officially endorsed Steam controller since Valve discontinued its experimental Steam Controller nearly five years ago.

Dubbed the Wireless Horipad for Steam, this new controller is designed specifically for PC gaming. It features menu buttons similar to those on the Steam Deck and touch sensors atop its sticks to activate gyro controls. The controller supports both Bluetooth wireless and USB-C wired connections and offers extensive custom programmability through Hori’s software. However, it is not a direct successor to the Steam Controller 2, as it lacks rumble, a matching set of four back buttons, and the signature trackpads found on the Steam Deck.

The Wireless Horipad for Steam will be available in four colors: black, white, neon yellow, and violet. It is priced at 7,890 yen (approximately $50). As of now, there are no plans for the controller to be released outside of Japan.

This new Steam controller bears a resemblance to the wired Horipad Pro available for Xbox consoles. Although the Horipad Pro was praised for its ergonomics and D-pad, it was somewhat overshadowed by cheaper alternatives. The Wireless Horipad, however, offers more features, including wireless capabilities (limited to Bluetooth) and four programmable buttons—two on the rear and two on the front below the D-pad and right thumbstick.

Valve’s decision to reintroduce a branded controller for Steam and docked Steam Deck use seems timely, given the rise of PC gaming in Japan and the popularity of handheld gaming devices. Valve has even partnered with another company for Steam Deck distribution in Japan, indicating a growing market there.

Valve’s recently released statistics show an increase in gamepad usage on Steam, accompanied by new controller optimizations implemented in the platform. This trend might lead to a broader range of licensed Steam controllers from various manufacturers, similar to what we see with Xbox consoles. For now, gamers will have to wait to see if the Wireless Horipad becomes available outside Japan.

One thing is clear: many are eager to try the Wireless Horipad for Steam.

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