Valve is seemingly working on an upgraded version of its Steam Controller, likely to be bundled with the in-development SteamOS console.

Following the successful release of the Steam Deck handheld in 2022, Valve has been working on its home console under the codename Fremont. Earlier this year, the “TV focused PC box/console running SteamOS” was spotted in public benchmarks trialling its AMD Custom CPU, codenammed Hawk Point 2.

However, with a new home console, Valve would likely have to pair the system with a controller. While the console could come with a stock Xbox controller, fans have been looking forward to an upgraded version of the original Steam Controller, the device which inspired the design philosophy of the Steam Deck.

In the files for the latest Steam update, dataminers discovered new icons for an alleged Steam Controller 2. The new controller shows two touch pads beneath a single analogue stick and a D-Pad. However, this is “a minimalist icon not meant to convey every freaking input/button on the controller”, explained popular Valve leaker SadlyItsBradley.

In reality, the controller is closer to the current Steam Deck setip with a D-Pad on the far-left side and the usual A,B,X,Y face buttons on the right. In the centre, two analogue sticks are present for dual-stick movement and aiming with two touchpads underneath for the same additional options found in the Steam Deck.

While not confirmed, the controller is also expected to keep the same feature set of the current Steam Deck. This would mean that the Steam Controller 2—or whatever Valve ends up calling it—will also have access to gyro controls as well as rear additional buttons for even more inputs.

As someone who used the original Steam Controller, and quite liked it, this upgrade seems like a smart one. The single stick of Valve’s original option was cumbersome as someone who didn’t—and still doesn’t—get on well with using a touchpad for right-stick aiming.

If this leak is to be believed, the Steam Controller 2 will take everything good about the Steam Deck’s controls and put them into a nifty single device.

Unfortunately, it will likely be a while until we actually get our hands on the new controller. Valve is always secretive, of course, but the new controller is likely set to be revealed alongside the new SteamOS console—which is assumed to be called the Steam Frame—whenever that actually happens.