[STEAM] Steam Controller: The Ars Technica review

[Steam 0]

Since time immemorial, serious PC gamers have proselytized about

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over

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used by

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console gamers (

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). In recent years, though, many PC gamers have started keeping a spare Xbox controller (

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) nearby for

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designed primarily

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with thumbsticks and buttons in mind.

Valve's upcoming

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(not to be confused with

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) is the Steam maker's effort to replace those controllers with something more explicitly designed for the PC, and for

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. After spending a few weeks with the controller, though, we're not quite sure it sets itself apart from the competition enough to justify its high $99 asking price.

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The face buttons on the Steam Controller are suitably springy and responsive. Credit: Kyle Orland

Baseline quality

From the first time you hold a Steam Controller in your hands, it's clear that this is a well-made piece of hardware. There's a sturdy build quality to all the pieces that makes the controller feel solid in the hand, with just enough heft to feel substantial without being too heavy.

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