Based on the description on their site, the controller includes a built-in battery: "8.39 Wh Li-ion battery, 35+ hours of gameplay… "
That was disappointing for me. Specially condidering the Steam Frame’s controllers make use of AA batteries: “One replaceable AA battery per controller, 40hr battery life”
AA Batteries might not be as convenient to use, but being able to replace them is a great advantage. All my Xbox360 controllers still work fine, but none of my PS3’ Dualshock 3s.
The official docking station could be used to recharge (rechargables) AA batteries so the functionality could remain the same.
I had something similar to this for the original fat gameboy in the 90s, except instead of being a rechargeable battery, which weren’t really worth it then, it was a plug-in adapter, and it replaced the battery cover panel to do so.
I genuinely don’t understand why that sort of thing doesn’t exist anymore, either as plug adapters or as rechargeable bricks (or both, why not), so you can fall back on standard AA or AAA if necessary. They’d be standardized parts so manufacturers would only get the original sale but… so? Would it not also be just easier from a manufacturer standpoint?
That is precisely how I feel, too!
Side tangent… Back in the day, I believe I had a power cable for the Game Boy, but it must have gotten lost or damaged at some point because I could never find it again.