The Steam Controller is getting its first update after selling more than 500,000 units since it launched last fall. New features include an option for gamers to port custom configurations between games, easing the learning process for playing new titles.

There are also new "Action Sets," which allow players to set up and switch between walking, driving, and flying controls with a single button. A rumble pass-through mode means the Steam Controller ($118.99 at Amazon) can now use its Force Reactors to capture and reproduce the rumble effects from games.

VR support has arrived, too. Controller owners can now use the device in Steam's VR Game Theater, including using the motion controls as a virtual steering wheel.

Along with the update comes increased game compatibility: new titles with Controller support out of the box include Doom, XCOM 2 and Dark Souls III ($59.99 at Amazon) . Steam says more are coming soon.

There are no hardware changes, but the final version of the controller has gone through several revisions since it was first revealed two years ago. It sports four face buttons, four triggers, and a single analog stick.

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The updates are a welcome development for Steam Machine ( at Dell) owners, because the Controller is designed to bridge the gap between PC and console gaming. To ease the setup process, Steam has also enabled desktop configuration, so you can program the buttons and trackpads on your PC before playing in your living room.

There's no word on whether or not Steam has improved Mac compatibility with this update. When Mac users first got their hands on Steam Controllers, they reported numerous compatibility issues. Valve ended up giving them free games along with the promise of future fixes.

Further Reading

Game Controllers & Accessory Reviews