It’s Not a Nintendo GameCube — the Biggest Name in PC Gaming Is Taking on Xbox and PlayStation

Steam, Valve’s industry-leading video game platform, is taking a big swing with a device that could change the industry forever.

Close-up of a black electronic device corner with a round button and a small illuminated white LED light.

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By Sean Tirman

Published November 13, 2025

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Updated November 14, 2025

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For a long time, the console gaming industry has been split into factions. Initially, there were rivalries between Atari and Intellivision and Atari and Commodore, followed by a battle between Atari and Nintendo, and then a clash between Nintendo and Sega.

Most recently, Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation have been duking it out in the so-called Console Wars since the early 2000s (although it’s not looking great for Xbox, as the PS5 has outsold every Microsoft console ever.)

While consoles have been rather loudly battling, PC gaming has largely stayed in its own lane, quietly dominating the high road. Now, it seems that’s all about to change.

The largest PC gaming platform in the world, Steam (owned by lauded developer Valve,) just announced its first plug-and-play gaming console, the Steam Machine.

Matte black cube-shaped electronic device with two USB ports and a small button on the front panel. — I know what you’re thinking, but no, this is not a GameCube. It’s a cube that plays games. Totally different.

Game cube

The Steam Machine isn’t actually Steam’s first-ever console. That distinction is owed to the Steam Deck, a handheld gaming PC that was released a few years ago. That said, the Steam Machine is the next logical step, even if it’s a big one.

It’s not quite a gaming console, and it’s not a pure PC — it sits somewhere right in between. Ultimately, that’s a very good thing. This device is going to offer far more PC gaming accessibility to folks who don’t want to fuss with building a PC or sit at their desk to game.

Front view of a black gaming console with two USB ports, a smaller port, a power button, and a blue light strip above the ports. — This plug-and-play machine has Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, USB-C, USB-A ports and more.

It offers the same plug-and-play convenience and a similar array of specs when compared to the current-gen consoles on the market today. However, it grants access to Steam’s gargantuan library of PC games out of the box — something neither Xbox nor the PS5 offer.

However, it’s still a PC at its core. While it comes with SteamOS, users can still install their own apps or even a completely different operating system. Furthermore, while it can plug directly into a TV, it also works as a desktop PC and supports monitors and other peripherals.

It can also stream to Steam’s other devices, including the Steam Deck and the newly announced Steam Frame VR headset.

Black Steam gaming controller with dual thumbsticks, D-pad, and four action buttons on a beige surface. — Valve also announced a complete redesign of its Steam Controller, which is much more user-friendly and refined.

As if that’s not enough, the brand also announced a complete redesign of the Steam Controller. This fully mappable controller is more convenient (boasting magnetic charging and up to 35 hours of battery,) ergonomic, drift-free (thanks to new magnetic joysticks,) high-tech (internal gyros and track pads) and more.

Desk-to-couch gaming

As mentioned, the Steam Machine isn’t particularly mind-blowing specs-wise, but it is comparable (if not a bit better in some ways) than existing consoles.

For instance, it has a full suite of output and input ports: gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, MicroSD, USB-C and four USB-As. It also has a Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C/12T CPU and its GPU is comprised of Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs.

It also offers 16GB DDR5 and 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, can be had with either a 512GB NVMe SSD or a far larger 2TB NVMe SSD, and can deliver 4K imagery at 60 frames per second.

Black VR headset with two controllers, a black cube-shaped PC, a handheld gaming console, and a game controller on a beige surface. — The Steam Machine and Steam Controller join the Steam Deck and a newly announced Steam Frame VR system.

And while there’s little information on it, it also has a customizable front face, which pairs well with its RGB LED strip — although this is wholly cosmetic.

All told, it’s far from the most powerful PC gaming machine you could build. However, it’s the most convenient way for couch gamers to access Steam’s unbeatable library of games without sinking too much time or effort into the pursuit.

More importantly, removing a massive barrier to entry for PC gaming could alter the video game landscape forever and have serious implications for the industry’s future.

Pricing and availability

Expected to release in early 2026, there’s unfortunately no information yet related to the pricing of Valve’s Steam Machine, Steam Controller or Steam Frame.

However, you can add all of them to your wishlist now and receive notifications and other updates as they become available.

Matte black cube-shaped electronic device with two USB ports and a power button on the front panel.

Valve Steam Machine

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About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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