Japanese peripheral manufacturer Hori has unveiled its latest controller: the Wireless Horipad for Steam. It’s a gamepad that, as its name succinctly reveals, is primarily compatible with PC and SteamOS.
The product can be viewed on the brand’s website Japanese website, where it is listed for 7,980 Yen (approximately $50 / £40) and available in four different color variants: Midnight Black, Shiny White, Neon Yellow and Luminous Violet. The Wireless Horipad for Steam will launch on October 31 (scary) in Japan, but no global release date has been announced so far.
The Wireless Horipad for Steam seems to have a decent amount of features for a controller at this price. Firstly, the analog sticks have a pair of touch sensors used to enable gyro control. Additionally, Bluetooth connectivity means it can also be compatible with Nintendo Switch consoles.
The controller also features all of Steam Deck’s menu and share buttons, but lacks the trackpads. Unfortunately, it also appears that the Wireless Horipad for Steam doesn’t have any rumble whatsoever. This could position it as a competitive, esports-focused controller (vibration could cause small fluctuations in a player’s aim in a shooter or the turning angle in a racing game, for example), but this will negatively impact its casual appeal.
We’ve definitely seen a rise in PC-specific controllers in recent years. Some of the best PC controllers are now tailor-made for the platform, including the fantastic GameSir T4 Kaleid and the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra, both of which have PC software used for adjusting various settings. The Wireless Horipad for Steam also appears to be part of this new wave, and it will be interesting to learn how it compares when it launches in October.