Valve’s newest Steam Controller is shaping up to be a premium PC gaming accessory, but early details suggest it won’t be the universal gamepad many players hoped for. Even with its feature-rich design, Xbox Game Pass games on PC won’t be supported at the Steam Controller’s release date, which could be a deal-breaker for anyone who regularly plays through the Xbox app.
The biggest issue comes down to compatibility. Instead of working broadly like most PC controllers, the Steam Controller relies heavily on Steam Input. That means you’ll need Valve’s Steam software running to get full functionality, including the controller’s standout features like its dual trackpads, which are designed to feel more mouse-like and make PC games easier to play from the couch.
Why Xbox Game Pass support is missing on day one
PC gamers who use Xbox Game Pass often install titles through Microsoft’s Xbox app, and many of those games are built around Windows/UWP frameworks with stricter permissions. In practice, that can make it harder to route those games smoothly through other launchers. While Steam does allow users to add non-Steam games to the library, Game Pass titles are commonly the ones that create the most friction due to how they’re packaged and protected.
The result is simple: unless there’s a driver update or a major shift in how these games can be accessed, the Steam Controller won’t reliably work with Xbox Game Pass games right away. The Xbox app can link to other games, but that doesn’t automatically translate into better Steam Controller support.
Could Valve fix it later?
There are a few potential paths forward, but none are guaranteed. Valve could improve compatibility by adding support for common controller standards such as XInput, which is widely used across Windows games, or DirectInput. Another possibility is that Microsoft could make installed Xbox app titles more accessible to other software—though that’s considered less likely.
If neither happens by launch, buyers may end up relying on third-party tools to bridge the gap. That approach has worked in the past for PC controllers when enthusiasts created workarounds to expand compatibility beyond official support.
A tough market at $99
At $99, the Steam Controller is priced higher than many gamers expected, and that puts it directly in competition with alternatives that already work nearly everywhere on PC. A standard Xbox controller often sells for $64.99 or less and typically works across multiple game launchers, most PC games, and a wide range of emulators with minimal setup.
That said, Valve is still betting the Steam Controller will stand out where typical controllers fall short. Features like advanced thumbstick tech and, most importantly, the dual trackpads are meant to deliver a more PC-native experience—especially for games that feel awkward on traditional analog sticks. For players who want couch-friendly PC gaming without reaching for a mouse, the trackpads could be the main reason to consider it.
Who the Steam Controller is really for
Based on what’s known so far, this controller makes the most sense for players who spend most of their time in Steam and want a controller built around Steam Input customization. It also fits Valve’s broader push into living-room PC gaming, where a streamlined software-and-hardware combo can be appealing.
For anyone who splits time between Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and other PC game libraries, the Steam Controller’s limited compatibility at launch could make it feel less like an all-purpose gamepad and more like a specialized tool—an impressive one, but not the one-controller solution many buyers want.
