Steam Controller launch might be imminent as Valve uploads 'secret' unboxing video

As spotted by Brad Lynch on X, Valve pushed an update to Steam that included an unboxing video of the Steam Controller. The Catch? Said video is encrypted and cannot be watched, but the filename gives it away.

The unboxing will no doubt show the contents of the box, which also include a puck-like dongle to connect and charge the Steam Controller. It may also go into details of how to set the controller up, and show off its versatility when it comes to games that traditionally require mouse input.

The ongoing memory pricing crisis dubbed ‘RAMageddon’ has delayed the launch of the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, which are the main show of the Steam Hardware announced in November 2025; however, the Steam Controller is not as sensitive to these market constraints and as such, many have wondered if Valve might release the Steam Controller early.

This supposed unboxing video, alongside recent shipping details, reveal that Valve received a large quantity of wireless controllers, pointing to such a thing being very plausible at this point.

Valve, contending with delays and massive price hikes, could do with a PR win, and an upside of releasing the Steam Controller ahead of the Steam Machine might convince more players to invest in the SteamOS ecosphere.

Certainly, many are already impressed with the Steam Controller, with one developer praising its ‘Mac-like’ trackpads, similar to those found on the Steam Deck.

The Steam Controller isn’t the only coveted Valve gem out in the wild, either, as a Godot XR developer has also been using one for months now to get the Godot game engine ready for its eventual launch.

For those who have been using the Steam Deck, you will feel right at home with the Steam Controller, which is essentially a Steam Deck without the screen in the middle.

Fortunately, we likely won’t have long to wait, as Valve hopes to bring all of the Steam Hardware in the first half of this year, but perhaps releasing the Steam Controller a little early could be a way of softening the blow of a delay to the Steam Frame and Steam Hardware.

Read more:

• Valve reveals new Steam hardware — All Steam ahead!
• Steam Machine release date — All we know about the 'GabeCube'
• Steam Frame release date — Virtual (Reality) Insanity
• Steam Controller release date — When can we go hands-on?
• Steam Deck 2 release date — When is it coming?
• Steam Deck OLED review — Is it still worth it?
• Why you should buy a Steam Deck in 2026: When it's in stock, that is...
• Steam Controller reactions — Devs praise 'Mac-like' trackpads
• Steam Hardware FAQ — Valve delays the inevitable
• Steam Frame verification program — Can it run Crysis?
• Steam Frame reactions — Devs love it
• Steam Machine price — 'RAMageddon' has done a number

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