Valve works extremely hard to remove bugs from the Steam Deck experience with regular updates. But a company called Deckbuttons would like to add them. One of the resin-based directional pads it makes contains real insects, which fulfill the wishes of a certain… someone out there, right?
Each semi-translucent white directional pad, which can be implanted in a Steam Deck with an LCD screen or in the newer OLED model, is sold for $39.99 (was $49.99) and contains a random bug (or multiple bugs) that, according to Deckbuttons, were “respectfully collected after a natural passage, discovered in a serene environment such as windowsills, entangled in spider webs, or peacefully outdoors.” It's not often (or ever, come to think of it) that I can remember a company that once packaged living beings in custom gaming accessories.
If bugs aren't your thing, Deckbuttons makes some other directional pad options that aren't buggy. Sean Hollister, a friend at The Verge, got his hands on some more tasteful button models, and a look at how they are made. While many of the face button sets are sold out, there are others beautiful directional pads still in stock — and on sale in time for the holidays. They seem to vary in price based on their complexity, but most cost $24.99 each.
The process for installing one of these directional pads, as well as the Steam Deck's other face buttons, is not particularly complex, nor is it thoughtlessly simple. Deckbuttons has a tutorial here you can follow along, including what types of tools you need.