Embedded Files
Hori Pad (for Steam)
The Steam Deck's built-in controls are fantastic for handheld play, but what happens when you want to dock it and enjoy your PC games on the big screen? Or perhaps you prefer to relax on the couch and play through Steam Big Picture Mode? Enter the Hori Pad, a dedicated controller designed to bridge the gap between handheld and living room PC gaming. With promises of seamless Steam integration and console-like comfort, it seems like the perfect companion for the Steam Deck. But can it live up to the hype, or is it another case of Hori's budget-oriented design philosophy holding it back? Let's find out.
First Impressions
Unboxing the Hori Pad, I was immediately struck by its surprisingly lightweight design. I opted for two color variants – a crisp white and a vibrant purple – and was immediately puzzled by the inconsistency in the color schemes. The smooth front of each controller boasts a brighter hue, while the textured rear features a significantly darker shade of the same color. It's a strange design choice that, frankly, I found a bit odd.
But my initial confusion over the color scheme was quickly overshadowed by a wave of frustration. Included in the box was what I assumed to be a 2.5GHz wireless dongle. After all, why else would Hori include a dongle in 2024, when virtually every device has built-in Bluetooth? An hour of fiddling and troubleshooting later, I discovered (thanks to a YouTube review) that it was, in fact, just a standard Bluetooth dongle.
Now, I understand that I should have done my research more thoroughly. But with most of the marketing material in Japanese, and the seemingly obvious inclusion of a wireless dongle, I made an assumption. And that assumption cost me an hour of my life I'll never get back.
To be fair, the controller functions perfectly fine without the dongle. But the decision to include a Bluetooth dongle instead of opting for 2.5GHz wireless in a controller clearly designed for PC gaming is baffling. What devices, in this day and age, would necessitate a separate Bluetooth adapter? It seems like a bizarre and frankly, stupid decision, especially for users like myself who are sensitive to input lag. Bluetooth latency, particularly on the Steam Deck, can be quite noticeable, and a 2.5GHz connection is often the only way to ensure a virtually lag-free experience.
And the disappointments didn't stop there. To my surprise, the Hori Pad doesn't have full analog triggers. Instead, it uses Nintendo Switch-style triggers that are either on or off. This was a major letdown, as it severely limits the controller's functionality in games that require precise trigger control, such as racing games or flight simulators.
Even the thumbsticks, despite their initially comfortable feel, presented their own set of quirks. While they offered a good amount of resistance, I noticed a distinct tendency for them to favor cardinal directions (up, down, left, right). Diagonal movements felt less precise and somewhat "clunky," which immediately raised concerns about their accuracy in games that require smooth, circular motions.
Another point of contention arises with the controller's input protocol. While most PC games utilize XInput, the Hori Pad relies on Steam Input when connected wirelessly. This means that the controller may be incompatible with games outside of Steam unless connected via a wired connection, which then forces it to switch to XInput. So, if you're playing a game from Epic, GOG, or any other launcher, you might encounter compatibility issues.
And then there's the sleep mode bug. While the Hori Pad can wake the Steam Deck from sleep, which is handy, it also has a frustrating quirk. Whenever I put the Steam Deck to sleep, either by pressing the physical power button or through the software menu, the Hori Pad disconnects, reboots itself, and then reconnects. This, unfortunately, wakes the Steam Deck right back up. It creates an infuriating loop of the Steam Deck going to sleep and immediately waking up again.
The only way to avoid this is to manually turn off the Hori Pad by holding the Steam button for 10-15 seconds before putting the Steam Deck to sleep. This means I can't even use the controller to put the Steam Deck to sleep, as it needs to be off first to avoid triggering the loop. The cherry on top? This bug has reportedly been an issue for years on Hori's Nintendo Switch controllers.
Ah, yes. The invisible headphone jack. A truly innovative feature.
Build Quality
The Hori Pad presents a bit of a conundrum when it comes to build quality. It doesn't feel outright cheap or poorly made, but neither does it exude the premium feel you'd expect from a controller that costs upwards of $150 AUD. It's lightweight, which some may appreciate, but the materials used are undeniably budget-grade. The glossy plastic shell, particularly the shiny black plastic surrounding the thumbsticks, is prone to scratches. Mine, unfortunately, arrived with minor scuffs straight out of the box.
The D-pad, while functionally accurate, also contributes to the somewhat underwhelming feel. It has a firm yet slightly spongey quality that lacks the satisfying tactile response of D-pads found on higher-end controllers.
Even the triggers, which are disappointingly non-analog (more on that later), feel a bit rough around the edges. Their actuation lacks the smoothness and refinement I've come to expect from controllers, regardless of price.
To be fair, the Hori Pad doesn't feel like a fragile or poorly constructed device. It's just that, given its price point, I've experienced much better build quality from controllers that cost a fraction of the price. Companies like 8bitdo, for example, consistently deliver a more premium feel without the premium price tag.
Ultimately, the Hori Pad's build quality is acceptable but not impressive. It's functional, but it falls short of expectations, especially considering its cost.
Features
This is where the Hori Pad truly shines, offering a compelling blend of innovative features and deep Steam integration. If you've experienced the near-perfect bliss of navigating SteamOS in handheld mode, you'll be thrilled to know that the Hori Pad brings that same intuitive control to the big screen. Whether you're docked to a TV or playing through Steam Big Picture Mode, navigating menus and launching games feels effortless.
But it goes beyond simple navigation. The Hori Pad's real magic lies in its unparalleled customization options via Steam Input. With the ability to remap every button, including the two rear paddles and the front-facing M1/M2 buttons, you can tailor the controller to your exact preferences. Want to assign keyboard keys or even mouse inputs? No problem!
Imagine the possibilities: playing a retro game through an emulator and assigning the "F1" key to a paddle for on-the-fly access to the emulator's settings menu. Or mapping complex key combinations to a single button for your favorite strategy game. The potential is truly limitless. Unlike most controllers that restrict button remapping to existing controller inputs, the Hori Pad gives you complete freedom.
And then there's the Steam button integration. Hold it down, and the right thumbstick transforms into a mouse cursor, with R1 acting as a left-click. Need a keyboard? Steam + X brings up a virtual one. These features elevate the living room PC gaming experience, making it incredibly convenient and enjoyable, whether you're using a docked Steam Deck or a full desktop setup.
Frankly, I love this aspect of the Hori Pad. It's a testament to Valve's commitment to making PC gaming more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, and the Hori Pad is a worthy vessel for that vision.
The Hori Pad also supports gyro controls and touch-sensitive thumbsticks, offering alternative input methods for enhanced precision. This is particularly useful given the thumbsticks' tendency to favor cardinal directions, potentially making gyro aiming a more appealing option for some games.
Unfortunately, despite its innovative features, the Hori Pad lacks rumble functionality. The absence of haptic feedback is a noticeable omission that detracts from the overall immersive experience.
Close-up reveals some concerning details. That sticker is already damaged, the black plastic has some noticeable scratches, and there are even tiny plastic fibers present.
The accessories are just loosely placed in the box. Not a great first impression, especially given the cost of this controller.
Value for Money
Here's where the Hori Pad truly stumbles. While its retail price in Japan is a reasonable 7,980 yen (roughly $80 AUD), the fact that it's exclusive to the Japanese market forces international customers to resort to importing, which significantly inflates the cost. I ended up paying $171 AUD for my purple model, with black models hovering around $150 AUD.
At that price, the Hori Pad struggles to justify its value proposition. Yes, the Steam integration and customization options are fantastic, and they genuinely enhance the PC gaming experience. But almost every other aspect of this controller screams "budget." The build quality, the non-analog triggers, the lack of 2.5GHz wireless – these are all compromises that are hard to swallow at such a premium price point.
To put it into perspective, I've encountered controllers in the $40-$60 AUD range that offer superior build quality and a more comprehensive feature set. Even if the Hori Pad were readily available in Australia for its Japanese RRP of $80 AUD, I'd still hesitate to recommend it. The value simply isn't there when compared to its competitors.
Conclusion
The Hori Steam Controller is a frustratingly conflicted device. On one hand, it's a testament to Valve's vision for PC gaming, offering unparalleled Steam integration and innovative features that genuinely enhance the living room experience. The ability to seamlessly navigate SteamOS, customize every button, and utilize the Steam button for mouse and keyboard functionality is truly game-changing.
But on the other hand, the Hori Pad is plagued by a myriad of shortcomings that hold it back from greatness. The budget build quality, the questionable design choices (those non-analog triggers!), the lack of 2.5GHz wireless, and the inflated price due to import restrictions all conspire to diminish its appeal.
It's a classic case of a brilliant concept hampered by mediocre execution. While I admire the innovation and appreciate the seamless Steam integration, I can't help but feel disappointed by the Hori Pad's overall package.
The idea itself is wonderful, and the Valve/Steam enhancements are brilliant. I genuinely hope that another manufacturer takes up the mantle and creates a truly worthy successor to this controller, as the potential for this level of integration is immense.
However, the myriad of issues stemming from Hori's design and manufacturing decisions is significant. The non-analog triggers, the lack of any vibration, the inaccurate thumbsticks, the inclusion of a useless and redundant Bluetooth adapter instead of 2.5GHz compatibility, the choice to not use XInput while connected wirelessly, the cheap-feeling D-pad, the ridiculous Japanese exclusivity – these all amount to baffling choices that undermine the controller's potential.
It seems Hori, once renowned for their high-quality controllers in the 90s, has lost its way. They've spent the last two and a half decades seemingly walking backward, and their recent track record suggests a disheartening trend towards mediocrity. It's a shame that their questionable decisions have tarnished what could have been a truly revolutionary controller.
I wish, more than anything, that Valve's first officially licensed controller was made by literally any other manufacturer. Hori's bizarre choices and (well-deserved) reputation for mediocrity have, unfortunately, ruined an absolutely genius controller with a world of highly practical potential.
To be clear, I rate the idea of this controller and its compatibility with SteamOS a 10/10. But the hardware and execution? A dismal 3/10.
So should you buy one?
This is a pretty simple answer: No. You absolutely should not buy the Hori Steam Controller unless you're a diehard Steam fan who prioritizes seamless Steam integration and customization above all else.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you buy something—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we’ve personally tested and actually use ourselves. Prices listed are just a snapshot of what they were at the time of writing and may change.
Clicking VIEW PRODUCT will take you to a trusted retailer offering the best pricing, great customer service—or ideally, both.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse