Steam Machine 2026 on sale (pre-order)

[PowerGod]

The Steam controller, it does something on the Pyra but it's not acting like the full controller (as expected). So, in combination with Moonlight I cannot use it as a controller for steam (for Windows PC running Sunshine).
Wrapping uinput for the events that are available wouldn't yield the full controller either yet I think.

What kind of interface is used ?
If it's DirectInput most probably requires a specific configuration, but should be already able to use all the elements of the controller.

 

[TeDaDeS]

On the Pyra I used the puck, which has it's own bootloader (you can actually connect to it with minicom and run commands).
If that detects Steam it switches to controller mode, if not it goes into a fallback mode (Lizard mode?) which acts as a mouse and keyboard.
In this mode you can control the Pyra to, move the mouse and click on stuff.
Because the bootloader determines how the controller should act, which interface later is used doesn't really matter as those signals aren't send by the controller.

You can make your own puck with a customer firmware, which allows you to force-switch the controller into the controller mode.

GitHub - safijari/openpuck: Opensource firmware for NRF52840 Pro Micro that copycats the Steam Controller 2 Puck and adds an Xbox and Switch mode

Opensource firmware for NRF52840 Pro Micro that copycats the Steam Controller 2 Puck and adds an Xbox and Switch mode - safijari/openpuck

github.com

Steps which I will try later (but probably fail, I think it requires the latest SDL):
sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/99-steam-controller-v2.rules
# Valve USB Puck / Dongle (2026)
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1205", MODE="0666"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1105", MODE="0666"
# Xbox/Gamepad emulation via uinput
KERNEL=="uinput", MODE="0660", TAG+="uaccess", OPTIONS+="static_node=uinput"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger

--> indeed doesnt work as HIDRAW in not set in the kernel.
I did get this running on the Pyra, but won't help: https://github.com/C0rn3j/sc-controller

 

[TeDaDeS]

I unboxed the Steam Machine and plugged it in. It's rather small, looks like it's half of the Xbox Series X. As a Steam Deck user the interface is recognizable but still a little bit different, and it integrates into the TV nicely to. I guess the controller adds to the experience to, even though it's somewhat similar-ish to the regular Xbox controller. The packaging was interesting to, I guess there will be unpacking videos online, the console is in a sort of wrapped in sort of a black blankie.

 

[rygD]

Gimme an old school console with cartridges…

 

[TeDaDeS]

Gimme an old school console with cartridges…

I like those to. Still have my NES, SNES, GB, NDS, N64, SMS, SMD, GG, etc.
But, let me get into doomsday thinking mode, I wouldn't be surprised if the Nintendo Switch 2 was the last console using cartridges.
The reason the Steam Machine is so expensive is because, first it's a PC made by Valve so they claim they don't sell at cost, with a premium price due to the RAM shortages. A lot of money has been invested into AI, combine that with: a failing financial system, political tensions, high oil prices, other things disturbing trade like natural disasters (flooding, fires); you get a volatile mix which could cause the economy and gaming-sector to completely fall. Creating gaming cartridges might be the easiest it has ever been facility-wise, but impossible because it became too expensive for people to create/buy.
I know the Steam Machine is expensive, but who knows: I might not be able to buy a new console the coming 2 years. So what appears expensive now might not look that expensive next year.

The Switch 2 still runs Switch 1 games, not natively (I mean, it's emulating so not flawless but still very well), and Switch 1 cartridges are usually the full game on the cartridge. Switch 2 has many physical games where you still need to download the full game. So, I have a collection of Switch 1 games to play still. A Nintendo DS style (and sized) handheld would be nice to. Having a Retroid handheld is nice, but it doesn't take cartridges. So, a USB-accessory to read physical cartridges would be cool to. To run those games via an emulator.
In the end nothing beats a classic console in ease of use, just plug-in the cartridge and start playing. If you don't have access to such a console, emulation provides access and those run on a Retroid Flip 2 or a Steam Machine (or even on an Xbox One / Series-S in dev-mode).

 

[ClockworkCoder]

Gimme an old school console with cartridges…

Evercade are pretty good too.

 

[TeDaDeS]

Evercade are pretty good too.

Yes, but I think the cartridges from the Evercade are actually based on regular SD-card tech. So, these carts technically could fail way faster compared to the ones from a Nintendo Switch / 3DS which are using specific flash-memory chips to last ~50 years with a single charge. Carts fail if not used for a certain period, so you need to use the Evercade carts more often. Probably still 10+ years, but still, not exactly the same as Nintendo carts. Especially if you compare them with NES carts, those are just 'chips' not flash and will probably only fail due to broken or dirty pins of the cartridge itself not the chip itself.

 

[ClockworkCoder]

Yes, but I think the cartridges from the Evercade are actually based on regular SD-card tech. So, these carts technically could fail way faster compared to the ones from a Nintendo Switch / 3DS which are using specific flash-memory chips to last ~50 years with a single charge. Carts fail if not used for a certain period, so you need to use the Evercade carts more often. Probably still 10+ years, but still, not exactly the same as Nintendo carts. Especially if you compare them with NES carts, those are just 'chips' not flash and will probably only fail due to broken or dirty pins of the cartridge itself not the chip itself.

Fair point. I've pre-ordered their Doom cartridge. Unfortunately missed the special edition handheld though.