The 26 Best Steam Deck Games

Steam Deck, Valve’s mega-powerful mini-PC, solely arrived final 12 months, and whereas there are numerous causes to take a look at some of the thrilling items of gaming {hardware} accessible right this moment, the quantity of nice, hassle-free video games accessible on the machine is proof sufficient of its success.

However Steam is a giant market, and never each recreation works effectively on the Deck. Whereas many hit video games do run effectively on the machine, some gained’t launch, whereas others may have you chasing by way of varied settings and scrolling boards and Reddit posts for options. Enjoyable for the tech fanatic, however not perfect while you simply need an awesome gaming expertise. Valve has made the method simpler by labeling sure video games “Verified” on the machine, however generally that’s not all the time a assure {that a} recreation will run with out subject.

Learn Extra: The Steam Deck Had A Phenomenal First 12 months

Fear not, this listing will information you to the most effective experiences you may have in 12 months one of many Steam Deck’s life. All however considered one of these video games are Deck-verified. They work nice on the primary boot. That mentioned, adjusting just a few settings right here and there may make a given recreation expertise even higher for you, so I’ll name that out the place related. Tweaking the visible settings…can’t do this on a Swap!

As chances are you’ll know, there are comparatively easy methods to get non-Steam video games working on the Deck, however these we’ll deal with one other time. This listing is concentrated on nice video games you’re assured to have entry to proper out of the field.

Replace 7/26/2023: Now that we’re greater than midway by way of 2023, we thought it was time to name out some extra must-plays to your Steam Deck. 2023 specifically noticed the discharge of two nice remakes of traditional horror video games, and we additionally added a pair older video games that had been frankly overdue on this listing of must-play Steam Deck experiences.

Replace 12/27/2022: Wrapping up 2022, we’ve now bumped this listing as much as 20 superb video games you may play on the Steam Deck now. To hit this quantity we needed to bend a rule: We now have two video games which can be technically not “Deck Verified,” however are nonetheless completely playable.

Replace 10/21/2022: The Steam Deck’s library retains rising, and so too does this listing! I’ve added 5 new video games to the primary listing and one new honorable point out. Practically all of those video games are Deck-verified, however I’ve made an exception for one specific title.