Amid ongoing stock issues, PC gamers have started to 3D print their own Steam Controllers. While Valve is hard at work to ensure more gamers can get their hands on the latest Steam peripheral, some simply can’t wait.
The latest iteration of the Steam Controller was announced in November 2025, alongside the new Steam Machine. It was immediately met with curiosity in the gaming community. When the $99 device eventually launched on May 4, 2026, it was an instant hit. The Steam Controller sold out within minutes, and reports quickly emerged of scalpers reselling them at extremely steep prices online. This has caused plenty of frustration among gamers who want to try out Valve’s latest hardware.
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Steam Controller CAD Files Lead to 3D Printed Versions
A post from user JustMyBanana in the Steam subreddit showed off their 3D-printed version of their own Steam Controller, which they’ve created in lieu of being able to purchase one from Valve. According to the gamer, the total print time for the controller was just three hours, and, though they didn’t confirm the price, it’s unlikely to have cost anything close to the Steam Controller’s $99 price tag. Unfortunately, this is purely a plastic shell, so the controller won’t actually be functional, but it will make for a cool decoration until they can buy the real deal.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
The creation was made possible by Valve sharing the CAD files for the Steam Controller’s external shell after its launch. This was done so that talented modders would be able to make their own adjustments to the gamepad, but some are simply using the CAD files to 3D print the basic shell with no intention of changing them at all. It’s still early days, but it will be interesting to see what kind of innovations come on the back of Valve releasing this for public use.
In terms of practical uses for the 3D printed Steam Controller, some felt it was a waste of plastic. However, others pointed out that it could be useful when figuring out how well it fits in hand. Given the Steam Controller’s unique size, this could be a deciding factor for some when deciding whether to purchase it. This would be purely about the device’s shape, given that it would be difficult to replicate the weight of a Steam Controller with plastic alone.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Easy (120s)Medium (90s)Hard (60s)
Frustrations surrounding Steam Controller stock are understandable. However, Valve has acted decisively to ensure this isn’t a long-running issue for gamers. The company recently announced Steam Controller reservations, which give those who get through 72 hours to purchase one. Orders will be limited to one per user, minimizing the potential for scalpers to profit. The final important note is that anyone who purchased a Steam Controller during the first stock run will be ineligible to secure a reservation for now, ensuring that only those who missed out last time have the chance to finally get their hands on the new gamepad. Hopefully, it won’t be long before the Steam Controller stock issues are just a bad memory.
