If there’s one thing I find a bit rough about the Steam Machine, it’s the price. While it’s a far more accessible way to get a PC gaming experience without the hassle of building a computer yourself, the current price of gaming hardware makes it a hard purchase to recommend. However, if you told me you got the 2TB model for just $1, I’d probably cry with excitement for you, with just a dash of disappointment that it wasn’t me.
Fortunately, the idea of me crying isn’t so ridiculous. With Fanatical’s new Mystery Vault Bundle, anyone – you or I included – could win the coveted Steam Machine, along with the new Steam Controller. That package is worth $1,400, and winning it for just $1 would earn you bragging rights for years to come.
You’re not paying solely for a chance to win the Steam Machine, though. Every purchase of the Mystery Vault Bundle also includes Steam keys, ranging from overlooked games to AAA classics, all selected at random to help fill out your Steam library. Even if you don’t win the grand prize, you’re still getting a selection of games at a hefty discount.
The bundle also includes Golden Vaults, $1,000 instant-win prizes filled with recent games and, as a new addition, physical merchandise. You could win copies of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight and Invincible VS, alongside a Doom: The Dark Ages hat. If that doesn’t sound like a worthwhile prize, I’m not sure what does.
Personally, I’ve picked up Fanatical’s mystery bundles several times, and while I’ve never landed one of the biggest prizes, I’ve always come away with something worth playing. I’ve discovered games I probably would have skipped otherwise and found plenty of recommendations for friends looking to expand their libraries without spending much. For me, the game discovery is the real appeal – the prizes are just a bonus.
Keys start at just $1 / £1, but the more you buy, the more you save. If you opt for 25 keys, you’ll pay just $16.99 / £16.99, and larger bundles guarantee no duplicate keys. That works out to just 68 cents per game. It’s hard to think of many better-value PC gaming deals, so if you fancy taking a chance, the Fanatical Mystery Vault Bundle could even land you a Steam Machine once the prize draw appears at checkout.
Oh, and there’s also a chance to win a Steam Deck OLED or a PlayStation 5. If luck is on your side, you could end up with a seriously upgraded gaming setup. I’m only a little jealous of whoever wins.
Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom. This story was created in collaboration with Fanatical’s deals team.
