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| Fans on Reddit are hoping for the return of Steam Link. |
As the gaming world continues to buzz with speculation about Valve’s long-rumored Steam Machine comeback, a quieter but equally passionate conversation is unfolding among dedicated fans. While all eyes have been on a potential living room PC that could compete with consoles, a different device is capturing the imagination of a nostalgic subset of the community: the Steam Link.
Given the expected price tag of a new Steam Machine—which many analysts predict could land in premium territory—some gamers are openly wishing for a modern reboot of Valve’s tiny streaming box. Originally released in November 2015, the Steam Link was Valve’s first serious attempt to bridge the gap between your powerful gaming PC and the comfort of your living room TV. No bulky tower needed. Just a small, unassuming black box that promised to stream your entire Steam library to a big screen with minimal fuss.
A Brief History of Valve’s Streaming Ambitions
The original Steam Link was a clever idea: take the horsepower of your desktop PC and pipe it wirelessly to any television. For a brief window, it felt like the future of in-home gaming. But the hardware struggled to gain mainstream traction. Dependence on home network quality proved to be its Achilles’ heel—many users experienced frustrating latency, stuttering, or connection drops. By November 2018, Valve quietly discontinued the physical Steam Link, selling off remaining stock at steep discounts.
However, the concept never truly died. Valve pivoted hard to software, releasing the Steam Link app for smartphones, smart TVs, Raspberry Pi, and even VR headsets. Today, you can stream your PC games to an Android TV, Apple TV, or iOS device without any extra hardware. That app remains free and frequently updated, offering 4K streaming, controller support, and even remote play over the internet.
The Reddit Spark: Why Fans Want a Box Again
So why the sudden call for a new hardware Steam Link? A recent Reddit discussion highlights a recurring pain point: while apps are great, they’re not a dedicated solution. Smart TVs have inconsistent app support, Bluetooth controller pairing can be finicky, and not everyone wants to leave a phone or tablet tethered to their TV.
“I just want something that works out of the box,” one user wrote. “Plug it in, connect to my PC, and play. No tinkering with Moonlight or Sunshine, no buying a Shield Pro.” That sentiment echoes across dozens of comments. For these fans, a modern Steam Link isn’t about raw power—it’s about simplicity and reliability.
Steam Link 2: The Dream Spec Sheet
So what would a hypothetical Steam Link 2 look like? The community has already drawn up a wish list. According to the most upvoted suggestions, Valve would need to include:
- Up-to-date wireless tech (Wi-Fi 6E or 7) for low-latency streaming
- A gigabit Ethernet port for those who want rock-solid wired connections
- 4K support at 60fps or higher (the original maxed out at 1080p/60)
- Low decoding latency via a modern ARM chip with hardware video decoding
- HDR and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) to match modern TV capabilities
- Direct Steam Controller integration – possibly a bundled or seamlessly paired wireless controller
If Valve could deliver that for under $100, many argue it would be a far more practical purchase than a full-blown Steam Machine, especially for the millions of gamers who already own a high-end gaming PC. Why buy a second computer for your living room when you can just stream the one you already have?
The Counterargument: Why It Might Not Happen
Not everyone is convinced. Critics are quick to point out that the original Steam Link was a commercial disappointment. It required a strong home network—something many households still lack—and faced stiff competition from cheaper alternatives like the Chromecast, as well as software solutions like AMD Link and NVIDIA GameStream (now deprecated but living on via Sunshine/Moonlight).
Valve has also moved decisively toward an app-first strategy. The Steam Link app is available on virtually every platform imaginable, including Samsung and LG smart TVs. From Valve’s perspective, why manufacture, warehouse, and support a physical box when a free download accomplishes roughly the same goal?
There’s also the looming presence of the rumored Steam Machine 2.0. If Valve is indeed preparing a living room PC with SteamOS and console-like simplicity, a dedicated streaming box might feel redundant. Why sell a $100 dongle when you can sell a $500+ console that does everything locally?
The Verdict: A Niche Worth Filling?
Despite the skepticism, the grassroots demand is real. For every gamer who loves tinkering with Moonlight and Sunshine on an NVIDIA Shield, there’s another who just wants to sit on their couch, grab a controller, and see their Steam library appear on the big screen—no config files, no IP addresses, no frustration.
Valve has surprised us before. The Steam Deck seemed like a risky bet, yet it became a runaway success. If the company sees a similar hunger for a dead-simple streaming puck, a Steam Link 2 might not be as far-fetched as it sounds.
What do you think? Would you buy a modern Steam Link if Valve released one, or are the existing app solutions good enough? Let us know in the comments below. And if you want to join the ongoing conversation, check out the original Reddit thread that started it all right here.