Honestly what I want it for is games that don't support a controller. The Steam Deck is my favorite way to play action RPGs like Torchlight/2 and Diablo 3 for example, because the touchpads work great.

From using the steam deck all other controllers on the market are a pretty significant step down in functionality. I never used the original steam controller but with some games especially where I have a good custom layout that uses the trackpads and rear buttons it feels like playing with one hand tied behind my back with the PS5 controller.

I'd love a controller that's exactly the same input layout as the steam deck so I can dock it and keep my control layout identical.

I found that it depends on the game and how it's set up. I've used the steam controller on a lot of games and it worked well.

As you've considered it really comes down to how it's configured. And you have to reconfigure it for pretty much every game you play. And steam itself doesn't provide you with good configurations most of the time.

I love the controller but wouldn't recommend it because of the amount of time it takes to make it work well in each game.

A PS4 controller is just plug and play, and is what I would actually recommend to most people.

Me too. I tried it out but it's really not my thing.

The Steam Link was better but for some reason performs much worse for me than GameStream (since discontinued, use Sunshine instead) and Moonlight.

Yes I agree, the Steam Deck controls are great because they work as a standard controller with some additions (trackpads and back buttons).

The original Steam Controller however lacks a right joystick and a proper dpad. Yes, I know there are touchpads that are supposed to replace them but it's not the same.

I have one but I barely ever used it.

yah, they put the joystick on the wrong side.