Surging Interest in Steam Deck Leads to 'Steam Controller' Buying Frenzy

May 5, 2026

Valve's Steam Controller has sold out rapidly, despite concerns over its high price point.

📒	- Steam Controller Sells Out by Morning with No Pre-orders - Reseller Listings on Secondary Markets Command High Prices as Interest Remains Strong - Official Restock Schedule Unconfirmed; Only Plans for Rapid Supply Mentioned

Valve previously announced the launch of the 2026 Steam Controller, the first of its three new hardware products. Official sales began at 2:00 AM KST on the 5th, including through Komodo Station, the official retailer for South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

However, a massive surge in traffic caused the site to crash shortly after launch. Komodo issued an apology via social media and worked to resolve the issues sequentially. Many users who managed to connect faced errors at the checkout screen, while some successfully shared proof of purchase online. Ultimately, all stock was depleted that same day, and the site now displays a 'sold out' notice.

The situation was similar in global markets. Following the launch, payment server errors were widespread, and inventory was reportedly exhausted in less than an hour. The rapid sell-out turned the Steam Controller into a 'hot' item on secondary markets. Units originally priced at $99 are now trading for $250 to $300. In Korea, the device is also being resold on secondary platforms at a significant premium.

The Steam Controller initially received high praise from early reviewers. Its design, specialized for the Steam environment, features highly customizable buttons via dual haptic feedback, 'Grip Sense' that allows the grip area to function as a button, and precise, durable TMR thumbsticks. Despite these features, some questioned whether the relatively high price would be a barrier. Due to the strong dollar, the device was officially priced at ₩168,000 in Korea and 17,800 JPY in Japan.

The rapid global sell-out confirms that fan expectations for Valve's new hardware remain high. However, there has been criticism regarding the lack of purchase limits to ensure a smoother buying experience. While Valve has stated plans to continue supply, no specific restock dates have been announced. For players who missed out, setting up wish list notifications appears to be the only realistic option for now.

Meanwhile, Valve had also planned to introduce the Steam Machine and the VR headset, Steam Frame. However, the launch of these two products has been delayed due to the recent surge in global semiconductor prices.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated with the help of NC AI. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. [Read Original]