Thanks to Reddit, one of the best little secrets in Valve Steam Controller was discovered. Now I can’t help but let it go, because it turns out it makes Wilhelm scream if that’s the case. I tested it and can confirm. You don’t even need the controller to be paired to anything for this to happen.
Throughout my multi-week review of Valve’s new game controller, I never knew that it made the infamous Wilhelm, a common sound effect that has been used in hundreds of films, scream when dropped. How would I know this is what happened? I’m not letting go of the controllers. Or I don’t intend to.
But that’s exactly what the controller does when it falls, even lightly, on any surface. I picked up and dropped the controller several times on my couch, about 3 feet away, and that iconic scream that my kids love happened. Watch the video below.
The cry is random: it doesn’t matter how hard you drop it, so don’t do that. A more violent accidental fall to the ground produced no screams. Two straight drops made screams. Then nothing for a whole lot after that. That’s what’s fun.
Apparently, the scream occurs via motor haptics in the controller, which acts as a speaker. Or is it a speaker? It sounds really good, it’s beautiful.
The effect occurs even if the Steam controller is not associated with anything. I just turned on the controller, and while it was doing bluetooth pairing it was still making screaming noises, no Steam Deck or PC on or near it.
I generally don’t recommend dropping $99 Gamepadsbut this Easter egg is so amazing that I want all game controllers to make little noises now. What if the Joy-Cons made Mario sound? Did the PlayStation DualSense make AstroBot chirp?
I already loved the Steam Controller. I love it even more now.
