Steam Machine gets a $299 retro monitor faceplate with its own 1080p screen
If you have ever wanted your Steam Machine to look like a tiny broadcast monitor, Sakura Retro Modding has made a faceplate for it. The French maker’s Retro PVM Faceplate is available to preorder for $299 and includes a 1080p screen and stereo speakers. Shipping is planned to begin in January 2027.
The screen is an LCD, even though the case takes its inspiration from the professional CRT monitors that gave older games and video their distinctive look. You get the retro styling with a modern display built into the front.
There is an important part of the price to keep in mind: the Steam Machine itself is not included. This is a handmade, removable accessory for Valve’s PC, and the maker says it is unofficial and has no affiliation with Valve or Sony.
The maker’s faceplate with the LCD switched off. Image: Sakura Retro Modding
The faceplate adds a display without opening the Steam Machine
Sakura says the screen connects to the Steam Machine over HDMI and gets power from USB-C. Both cables come in the box, along with a vinyl skin to complete the look. There is no separate battery, and the maker says you can remove the faceplate without drilling or taking the PC apart.
Before ordering, I’d check how those two connections fit into your existing setup, especially if your Steam Machine already shares a TV or monitor with other devices. The maker does not spell out an arrangement for using both screens at once.
The display gives the faceplate a practical use beyond its appearance: according to Sakura, it can show a Full HD image and play stereo sound. The maker does not specify the screen’s physical size, though, so consider whether a small front-mounted display suits the games or menus you plan to use.
Those little knobs and buttons complete the broadcast-monitor look, but they are not controls for the Steam Machine. Sakura explained in a discussion of the design that they are cosmetic and that the screen’s actual controls can be accessed separately.
The removable faceplate pictured beside the Steam Machine. Image: Sakura Retro Modding
Shipping is included, but import costs can add to the price
The faceplate is 3D printed and assembled by hand in France. Sakura lists it for $299 in US dollars with worldwide shipping included, and the PayPal order page showed PayPal, Apple Pay and card checkout options when checked. Check the page again before ordering, since availability can change.
Shipping is expected to start in January 2027, so allow time for delivery after that rather than treating January as a guaranteed arrival date. The maker says international delivery can take up to five weeks after dispatch.
Customs duties and import taxes are the buyer’s responsibility. If you are ordering outside France, I recommend checking the potential charges for your country before paying, so the total does not come as a surprise.
