Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Steam Controller is an absolute triumph when it comes to playing Steam games, but it's not the only controller out there. Let's compare it to some of my favorite $50 options, the GameSir Cyclone 2 and 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless.
Steam Controller: store.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller
GameSir Cyclone 2: amzn.to/4uLypnS
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless: amzn.to/4uix880
My Steam Controller review video: youtu.be/n4MivhL4ruY
My Steam Input video: youtu.be/CqU20G5-wKc
Apps mentioned in the video:
SISR: alia5.github.io/SISR/stable
Steamless Controller: github.com/ddeverill/SteamlessController
SC2 Smooth Brain-ifier: github.com/Mennenth/SC2SmoothBrainifie
** Update: the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless controller was quietly updated to allow full Steam Input (gyro and extra button mapping) with the 2.4GHz dongle. If you press B + Home when waking the device it will go into Steam Input mode, but if you power down the controller and power it back on by pressing the Home button, it will revert to X-input mode. Plopping it in the dock should retain the Steam Input mode. This new feature isn't listed in their firmware update log, instruction manual, or Steam compatibility page -- thanks to everyone for pointing it out! I still prefer the ergonomics/buttons on the Cyclone 2 but this makes the 8BitDo a closer copy of the Steam Controller (minus trackpads and Grip Sense, of course).
Check out my weekly newsletter: news.retrogamecorps.com
Ways to support this channel:
RGC merch: store.retrogamecorps.com
YT channel membership: youtube.com/channel/UCoZQiN0o7f36H7PaW4fVhFw/join
Patreon: patreon.com/retrogamecorps
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/retrogamecorps
Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:34 my third party choices
03:02 Steam Controller hardware
04:30 GameSir Cyclone 2
06:27 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless
07:58 hardware recap
09:51 Steam Controller in Steam
13:24 GameSir software
17:03 GameSir with Steam
20:57 8BitDo software
23:14 8BitDo with Steam
25:19 playing outside of Steam
31:51 summary and conclusion
Find me on Discord! discord.gg/retrohandhelds
Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:
ourghosts.bandcamp.com/track/my-first-day-at-the-retro-game-corps
More music here: patreon.com/ourghosts/posts
Note that this description may contain affiliate links. By clicking on an affiliate link and buying something, I may earn a small commission of the sale at no extra cost to you. You can read more about that here: retrogamecorps.com/about
This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.
#steamcontroller #valve #steam #8bitdo #gamesir #controller
The Steam Controller is an absolute triumph when it comes to playing Steam games, but it's not the only controller out there. Let's compare it to some of my favorite $50 options, the GameSir Cyclone 2 and 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless.
Steam Controller: store.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller
GameSir Cyclone 2: amzn.to/4uLypnS
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless: amzn.to/4uix880
My Steam Controller review video: youtu.be/n4MivhL4ruY
My Steam Input video: youtu.be/CqU20G5-wKc
Apps mentioned in the video:
SISR: alia5.github.io/SISR/stable
Steamless Controller: github.com/ddeverill/SteamlessController
SC2 Smooth Brain-ifier: github.com/Mennenth/SC2SmoothBrainifie
** Update: the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless controller was quietly updated to allow full Steam Input (gyro and extra button mapping) with the 2.4GHz dongle. If you press B + Home when waking the device it will go into Steam Input mode, but if you power down the controller and power it back on by pressing the Home button, it will revert to X-input mode. Plopping it in the dock should retain the Steam Input mode. This new feature isn't listed in their firmware update log, instruction manual, or Steam compatibility page -- thanks to everyone for pointing it out! I still prefer the ergonomics/buttons on the Cyclone 2 but this makes the 8BitDo a closer copy of the Steam Controller (minus trackpads and Grip Sense, of course).
Check out my weekly newsletter: news.retrogamecorps.com
Ways to support this channel:
RGC merch: store.retrogamecorps.com
YT channel membership: youtube.com/channel/UCoZQiN0o7f36H7PaW4fVhFw/join
Patreon: patreon.com/retrogamecorps
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/retrogamecorps
Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:34 my third party choices
03:02 Steam Controller hardware
04:30 GameSir Cyclone 2
06:27 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless
07:58 hardware recap
09:51 Steam Controller in Steam
13:24 GameSir software
17:03 GameSir with Steam
20:57 8BitDo software
23:14 8BitDo with Steam
25:19 playing outside of Steam
31:51 summary and conclusion
Find me on Discord! discord.gg/retrohandhelds
Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:
ourghosts.bandcamp.com/track/my-first-day-at-the-retro-game-corps
More music here: patreon.com/ourghosts/posts
Note that this description may contain affiliate links. By clicking on an affiliate link and buying something, I may earn a small commission of the sale at no extra cost to you. You can read more about that here: retrogamecorps.com/about
This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.
#steamcontroller #valve #steam #8bitdo #gamesir #controller
