The Steam Controller hides an Easter egg that makes it scream when dropped

Early adopters of the Steam Controller have begun receiving their units, and one Reddit user (RF3D19) discovered a surprising Easter egg: the controller can occasionally “scream” when dropped.

The sound in question is the iconic Wilhelm Scream, a famous stock audio gag used across countless films and TV shows. It gained popularity through appearances in franchises such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones and continues to be widely reused today.

According to testing by VGC, the feature is real, though users are advised to try it safely—preferably by dropping the controller onto a soft surface like a bed or pillow to avoid any damage.

To trigger the effect, the controller must be used in Steam Big Picture Mode, and while on the main menu, dropping it may randomly activate the Wilhelm Scream. Although the Steam Controller has no built-in speaker, it can reproduce audio-like effects using advanced vibration motors that simulate sound patterns.

Similar technology is already used elsewhere, such as in the Nintendo Switch Sports, where HD rumble produces musical-style feedback when interacting with certain in-game elements.

The Steam Controller launched on May 4 via Valve’s store, but strong demand quickly led to server issues and rapid sellouts across regions, with some units later appearing on resale platforms at heavily inflated prices.

In response, Valve introduced a reservation queue system starting May 8. It allows users to join a waiting list, with orders fulfilled in the exact order of reservations. Each user is limited to one controller, and once an order email is issued, they have 72 hours to complete the purchase.