Valve has answered our prayers for an additional bite of the Steam Controller apple, with the company announcing that you’ll be able to pre-purchase the hardware once more, starting today, May 8, 2026.
After a pretty tumultuous initial launch, with scalpers basically hoovering up most of the stock to resell for two or three times more than the initial cost, they’re very much in the mud after this latest update.
When Valve did tell us that it was “working on getting more in stock” for the next wave of Steam Controller pre-orders, we expected to wait at least a couple of weeks to get a concrete update. Instead, it has very much beaten our presumptions since you can have a seat at the Steam Controller table from 10 AM PDT today.
However, there are some changes, both good and bad. The good is that it will be a much fairer process this time around since there is a one-per-Steam-account reservation process in place, allowing a lot more real people to actually get their hands on one. Additionally, you will need to have an account in good standing, as well as have made a purchase on Steam prior to April 27, 2026.
The bad is that since it is a reservation process, it will work like the Steam Deck did, where stock will be released in waves. This means that even though you will have one technically confirmed, you may have to wait months and months before it will actually be in your hands, depending on how fast you reserve it. At least if that is the case, you will be able to play around with 3D printing cool designs.
The official word on when the first batch of these Steam Controller reservations will be next week in the US and Canada, with the UK, Europe, and Australia “in the following weeks.”
The latter is definitely more vague, but based on how fast things have progressed in just a couple of days, it won’t be too long until there will be more concrete timings.
When stock does come in, and you’re at the front of the queue, you’ll receive an order email, where if you don’t purchase the controller within 72 hours, you will lose your spot. So, what we’re saying is, do keep an eye on your inbox, or all of your hard work will be in vain.
Hopefully, a lot more gamers get their hands on one through this reservation method and hey, maybe you could have one ready to go when the Steam Machine launches.
Jacob has been gaming since the original Game Boy was placed in his hands. Due to his passion for the field, writing talent, and a keen eye for SEO, he made his games journalism debut in 2019. When he isn’t playing the latest titles, he is tinkering with retro tech to bring it into the modern era.
Bulkhead Interactive has announced it is moving WARDOGS' early access release forward, with the tactical FPS now targeting a launch later this summer. The studio cited overwhelmingly positive feedback from…
