Steam Deck is a versatile kit, Epic Games Store means that it is possible to run emulators for retro consoles as well as play games from other stores such as Steam Deck While it’s still relatively new, it definitely has a huge library already thanks to Valve’s ability to play thousands of games from its Steam store. It features many of the best PC games ever made and ranges from stylish indie games to big-budget AAA titles. Here is the best we have selected for you Steam Deck games!
Hotline Miami
Hotline Miami is like a top-to-bottom ultra-violent game with a neon-colored fever dream, an equally open story, and an excellent soundtrack. It’s also perfect for the Steam Deck, thanks to its addictive gameplay loop.
You play an unnamed assassin tasked with a mysterious voice to take down Russian gangsters in an alternate 1980s Miami. You will die a lot, but with instant restart you will keep coming back for more as you learn the levels. It’s been around for a while, but it’s very cheap on Steam and it’s one of those games we keep coming back to while playing on the Steam Deck.
Tunic
Tunic is a cute isometric adventure game. You play as a young fox who embarks on a grand adventure, exploring dungeons and fighting monsters on the way. Tunic is a game with a bucketful of appeal, meaning it’s ideal for a game that gets the obvious Legend of Zelda influence.
One of the biggest drawbacks to the Steam Deck is that while Xbox and some PlayStation games are coming to PC (and Steam), there’s no way to officially play Nintendo games. This is one of the closest ways to do this with a tunic.
Sonic Mania
Sonic Mania is a love letter to the classic Sonic games of the 16-bit era, and it’s one of our favorite games to play on the Steam Deck. If you think Valve’s handheld looks like a powered Sega Game Gear, Sonic Mania makes that comparison even more appropriate.
Taking graphics and sounds inspired by Sonic’s iconic games from the Sega Genesis and blending them with some modern twists, this is one of the best games Sega has released in years. and Sonic is proving to be the best 2D game ever.
Weird West
The next game is Weird West; one of the newest games on this list and also one of the most unique. Weird West oozes an immersive atmosphere of isometric simulation and combines classic Western allusions with Lovecraftian horror. It looks great on the Steam Deck’s 7-inch screen and is also perfectly controlled.
It will shock you on your commute; If you’re looking for a game that will surprise and entertain you, Weird West is a great choice.
God of War
God of War blew us all away by re-imagining Kratos when it first came out on PS4. Instead of an exaggerated action hero plucked straight from Greek myth; He was a thoughtful father, now somehow transported into Norse mythology. It was a masterpiece and a deeper, more mature story and incredible graphics; meant it was one of Sony’s best PlayStation titles.
Now available on Steam, God of War is also a great showcase for the Steam Deck. It shows how capable Valve’s handheld is, as it can handle this graphically demanding game. Because of its cinematic story; it’s still best played on the big screen, but it’s also a great game to showcase on the Steam Deck.
Cuphead
Cuphead is inspired by classic 1930s cartoons; It is a 2D running and gun game with excellent jazz music. Thanks to its frenetic, yet easy-to-take gameplay; when you finally beat a boss that hurts you; balances the difficulty of punishing with a genuine sense of accomplishment; It’s another Steam Deck game that’s perfect for handheld devices. It’s ideal for quick bursts and you’ll want to give it another try in your quest to clear your debt with the devil.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is the ideal choice for anyone who thinks a handheld console needs a 3D platform game. Packing remastered versions of Naughty Dog’s classic games for the original PlayStation, this is the perfect addition to your Steam Deck’s library.
Since these games started being released as console games, they are ideal for gamepad controls, so they work perfectly with the Steam Deck. It’s great nostalgia for anyone who initially grew up with these games, but new players may be frustrated by some of the old-school difficulty increases.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is probably the best game on this list, but the reason it isn’t at the top is because it’s a game best played on the bigger screen. Also, for the best experience you should limit the framerate to 30fps, half the framerate it usually runs at.
However, playing Elden Ring on the Steam Deck can be a great experience. Running such a beautifully designed game like God of War on a handheld console is exciting and certainly puts most Nintendo Switch games to shame.
Also, you may not want to play the entire game on the Steam Deck, but we found it great to pick up and play when you want to collect runes (in-game currency). If you’re like us and currently addicted, having it on Steam Deck will allow you to take hits when you’re away from your computer. Thanks to Steam’s Cloud Saves, any progress you make on the Steam Deck will also be reflected when you play the game on your PC.
Hades
Hades is one of the best action games ever made. It combines outstanding controls and a challenging yet fair difficulty curve. It’s easy to dive into thinking you’ll be playing for half an hour, but after two hours you’ll have to come out of a sweaty trance.
Hades is a very beautiful game, especially on the go, and a top-notch soundtrack backs up the visuals. In addition, the story is supported by excellent voice-overs.
Developer Supergiant designed Hades for every gaming device under the sun, so it controls well on any console, including the Steam Deck. It’s not a graphically demanding game either, so it won’t drain your battery.
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is a different type of role-playing game (RPG). It’s accessible, great for all ages, and has simple (yet attractive) graphics that won’t take much away from the Deck’s battery life.
A love letter to Nintendo’s Paper Mario series, Bug Fables combines traditional turn-based RPG combat with a variety of timing-based attacks. This retains the deliberate pace of a turn-based RPG, but adds more active, engaging combat than most games in this genre.
As its graphic style implies, Bug Fables is a family-friendly game that doesn’t get into mature concepts. Still, it has a fun story, funny characters, captivating music, and clever writing. There is something for everyone in this game.
Celeste
Platforming is the most competitive genre on Steam Deck at launch. There are dozens of games to choose from, but Celeste comes out on top in this hotly contested slot. An extremely fun, tight and fluid platform game. The controls are excellent and the gameplay is so slick that it feels connected to your brain. There is also a native Linux version of the game. Celeste is a tough game, but the fast pace of the game makes every death less punishing.
You can review the game’s accessibility options and adjust them according to your preference. The game’s graphics may seem simple, but the story is deep, personal, and more compelling than most games that are several times its length. Indeed, length is the only downside of the game. When it’s over, you’ll want more.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
The Civilization series has been a mainstay of PC gaming for decades, so it’s expected that the latest game, Civilization VI, will be great on the Steam Deck. This complex turn-based strategy game lets you create an alternate history of the world with dozens of civilizations and an endless array of randomly generated maps.
Civilization VI has received numerous updates and two major expansion packs since its release in 2016. Packed with features, improvements and balance changes that enhance the experience. New players can lower the difficulty and have fun, but veterans can spend hours on precise placement of cities and improvements.
SUPERHOT
SUPERHOT is a game that never feels outdated. It shatters expectations for a first-person shooter with a unique hook: Your enemies move when you move. The result is a strange, exhilarating first-person dance reminiscent of the bullet time effects the Matrix made famous.
This game is another Linux native game, meaning it will play on Steam Deck with zero issues. The stylized 3D graphics aren’t demanding either, so the title is pretty light on battery usage and feels smooth.
Unfortunately, SUPERHOT’s campaign is pretty short, lasting just three hours for most players. Extra modes add variety and challenge for those who make gameplay addictive. Players who want more can check out the sequel to SUPERHOT: Mind Control Delete, which is also a Linux native title.
Stardew Valley
Want a game that lets you sit back, relax and play at your own pace? Stardew Valley is undefeated in this regard. This famous indie game puts you in charge of your own farm and then challenges you to harvest crops, befriend neighbors and explore mines at your own pace. The relaxing pace of the game doesn’t mean it lacks depth.
Stardew Valley takes at least 50 hours to reach the “end”, but for many, it’s just one step in their journey. Dedicated players can spend over a hundred hours collecting every item and befriending every non-player character (NPC). Stardew Valley’s controls can take some getting used to, especially in controller mode (which you’ll likely be using on the Steam Deck). Still, its captivating graphics and excellent soundtrack help set it apart from other chill games. It is also Linux-specific and provides smooth and error-free gameplay.
Dad Is You
Baba Is You is an amazing puzzle game. It’s surprisingly difficult, surprisingly bright, and surprisingly unique. The basic hook of the game is the use of simple sentences created by pushing word blocks around the screen. They change the rules of the level, making it possible to achieve what seemed impossible at first.
This hook starts cleverly, lets you break through walls or flip characters, and ends with the player creating mini-games and bending the laws of physics.
Indeed, the surprising concept of the game is its only real downside. The puzzles are tough and it’s hard to resist the temptation to look for solutions. The game isn’t hard on the Steam Deck, though. This is a Linux native game and simple 2D graphics save battery life.