The Steam Deck offers PC gaming on the go. Which are the best Deck Verified games?
Launching on February 25, 2022, the Steam Deck introduced Valve to the handheld gaming world. Coming in three variants, these devices are intended to provide a portable option for PC gamers, one that does not come at a high cost of performance. The product has received a mostly positive reception, and the Steam Deck is steadily becoming easier to acquire.
Since the hardware’s release, Valve has been gradually going through Steam’s massive library to verify that a game is compatible with the Steam Deck. Any title that receives the company’s seal of approval has passed all checks and should be a good experience on the portable system. Using Deck Verified as a criterion, let’s take a look at the best games for Steam Deck.
Steam Decks can be reserved directly at Valve’s store. Dave The Diver
Release Date
June 28, 2023
Studio
Mintrocket
Genre
Adventure, RPG
Steam Link
Dave the Diver
Great sushi requires a lot of hard work. Dave the Diver is a sim about running a restaurant. Also, Dave the Diver is an exploration game revolving around an ever-changing underwater paradise that is home to quite a few majestic and massive creatures. Basically, Dave the Diver wears a lot of hats, and they nearly all fit like a glove.
Mintrocket’s project strikes a fun balance between open-ended dives into known but uncharted waters and a satisfying management game. Although they do not really share all that much in common, these mechanics are complementary since one side directly feeds into the other. Dave the Diver combines great gameplay with gorgeous visuals, a charming sense of humor, and a story that has more depth than meets the eye. Street Fighter 6
Release Date
June 2, 2023
Studio
Capcom
Genre
Fighting
Steam Link
Street Fighter 6
Despite delivering fantastic gameplay, Capcom generally dropped the ball with Street Fighter 5, particularly in relation to its offline solo content. Thankfully, the same cannot be said for its successor. Street Fighter 6 goes out of its way to right the wrongs of its maligned ancestor, delivering one of the most robust single-player modes in the fighting genre. SF6’s World Tour allows players to take their created character on a global quest for supremacy as they train, fight, and grow. The story itself is nothing special, but the actual mode is a lot of fun. World Tour teaches players SF6’s combat mechanics before they head into multiplayer, and it accomplishes this feat without coming across like a glorified tutorial.
When someone feels ready to head online, they can jump into Battle Hub, a mode that emphasizes SF6’s community. Along with all the standard match types synonymous with online fighters, Battle Hub lets players just walk around and exist alongside other fighters. World Tour is a very good single-player option, but Battle Hub is SF6’s heart. Hogwarts Legacy
Release Date
February 10, 2023
Studio
Avalanche Software
Genre
Action-Adventure, Open-World
Steam Link
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy has been arguably the game of 2023 so far, at least in terms of popularity. The Harry Potter title takes place roughly a century prior to the events of the books and movies, allowing players to follow a unique story set within the Wizarding World. Avalanche’s project brings to life a lavish and detailed open-world, and the game shines brightly when it simply encourages players to exist within its immersive environments.
Even though a Nintendo Switch port has been announced, at the moment, the only way to play Hogwarts Legacy on the go is through a Steam Deck (or, technically, a laptop). Once upon a time, these types of projects seemed destined to remain on home consoles or computers, but Valve’s portable system has destroyed the barrier separating these sides of the gaming marketplace. Hi-Fi Rush
Release Date
January 25, 2023
Studio
Tango Gameworks
Genre
Hack and Slash, Rhythm
Steam Link
Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush came out of nowhere. Tango Gameworks’ game was announced and released on the same day, and it is even available on Xbox Game Pass. As an added bonus, the hack and slash title is already Steam Deck verified, so owners of the handheld system can immediately jump into this project.
Boasting striking visual design and a stellar soundtrack, Hi-Fi Rush is a feast for the senses. Ultimately, high production value does not mean that much if the gameplay is not up-to-snuff, which is something that Tango clearly understands. Hi-Fi Rush rewards players who synch their movement with the beat, and this goes beyond providing a power boost in combat. Even explorative actions benefit from this synergy. Persona 5 Royal
Release Date
October 21, 2022
Studio
Atlus
Genre
Turn-Based JRPG, Social Sim
Steam Link
Persona 5 Royal
Once upon a time, a PlayStation console was necessary to experience a mainline Persona entry, but that is no longer the case. The latest turn-based entry in Atlus’ franchise is now available on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC, the latter of which also means Persona 5 Royal can be played on the Steam Deck. Offering more than 100 hours of content, this beloved JRPG can keep someone entertained for potentially months.
The story revolves around the Phantom Thieves, a group of teenagers who seek to inspire social change by invading a corrupt individual’s Palace, a metaphysical representation of their negativity. P5R is divided into two sections: social sim and dungeon crawling. The latter features relatively traditional turn-based combat, albeit one elevated through a stylish presentation and an addictive monster-collecting system. Outside of palaces, players can hang out with their friends, grab a bite to eat, and take on adults who are ruining the world.
The following Persona games are also Deck Verified: Dying Light
Release Date
January 26, 2015
Studio
Techland
Genre
Survival Horror
Steam Link
Dying Light
Both Dying Light games are Steam Deck verified, and the sequel is a decent title in its own right. However, Techland’s 2015 original is extra special since it leans a lot more into survival horror than its successor, which helps distinguish it from the many other open-world projects flooding the market.
Gameplay-wise, the franchise is predominantly known for its parkour, which is allowed to flourish thanks to a map that emphasizes verticality. The first-person combat is also intense, particularly during the nighttime. Dying Light is a prime contender for the best open-world zombie game of all time. Cassette Beasts
Release Date
April 26, 2023
Studio
Bytten Studio
Genre
Turn-Based RPG
Steam Link
Cassette Beasts
As there is no way to officially play Pokemon on the Steam Deck, people looking to catch ’em all will need to check out some alternatives. In April 2023, a new contender not only entered the monster-taming market but immediately cemented itself as a front-runner to become one of the subgenre’s modern greats. While it takes a few notes from Game Freak’s ludicrously successful franchise, Cassette Beasts has no trouble whatsoever establishing its own identity.
Washing up on an unfamiliar shore seemingly removed from reality, players learn they have the ability to transform into «beasts,» which proves to be useful since this realm is overrun with creatures. Alongside a partner, players must explore the island while acquiring new monster forms, exploring a mystery involving Archangels, and occasionally fusing in the middle of a heated battle. Cassette Beasts has fantastic combat, music, visuals, and monster designs. Cuphead
Release Date
September 29, 2017
Studio
Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc.
Genre
Platformer, Run And Gun
Steam Link
Cuphead
On June 30, 2022, Cuphead released its long-awaited The Delicious Last Course expansion, making this the ideal time to jump into the hard-as-nails platformer. Inspired by classic cartoons, Cuphead has gorgeous visuals, tight controls, and many brilliantly designed bosses that yearn to make players suffer.
The best Steam Deck games might be the ones that cater to shorter play sessions, and Cuphead is one such title. Now, while the levels themselves are not extremely long, their high difficulty greatly expands their completion time, so they do require commitment. Also, try to resist the urge to fling the Steam Deck out of a window out of sheer frustration. Neon White
Release Date
June 16, 2022
Studio
Angel Matrix
Genre
Action-Platformer
Steam Link
Neon White
A pleasant surprise, Neon White is specifically designed for speedrunning. The goal is to repeat stages in search of progressively quicker times, and while that might seem like a niche structure, the game’s strong fundamentals give it wide appeal. Neon White builds its platforming and combat on a card-based system that forces the player to think on their feet, and executing a perfect run after memorizing the stage’s layout is incredibly satisfying.
As stages do not last more than a few minutes, this is the perfect Steam Deck game for short bus rides or quick breaks. Admittedly, Neon White’s addictive nature makes it difficult to put down once someone finds their rhythm, which might lead to some missed meetings. The Outlast Trials
Release Date
May 18, 2023
Studio
Red Barrels
Genre
Survival Horror
Steam Link
The Outlast Trials
Anyone specifically looking for a single-player survival horror experience would be better served picking up Outlast or its direct sequel, two games that are playable but not perfect on the Steam Deck. Released into early access, The Outlast Trials is quite different from its predecessors. For one, the game supports and prioritizes co-op, and it handles this feature fairly well. The campaign tasks the captured players with escaping from an array of locations, with each section featuring multiple missions. Although not devoid of lore or story beats, The Outlast Trials is not story-driven, which can be disappointing for fans of the previous entries.
Despite all that, Red Barrels has still put together a fun and addictive survival horror package, one packed with terrifying monsters and impressive environments. Although The Outlast Trials is still a work in progress, the available content is of fairly high quality, more so than most early-access projects. Elden Ring
Release Date
February 25, 2022
Studio
FromSoftware
Genre
Open-World RPG
Steam Link
Elden Ring
Released alongside the Steam Deck, Elden Ring was something of a test of the portable system’s potential. Can Valve’s platform handle a massive open-world game that just debuted in 2022? Luckily, the answer is yes!
Elden Ring is arguably the best game of 2022 so far, so there is a great chance that most Steam Deck adopters have already traveled or will be traveling to the Lands Between. What awaits them is a pretty impressive experience that delivers decent performance and visuals. The Steam Deck has made playing Elden Ring on a flight a reality, something that hardly seemed possible before the platform’s launch. It is also way more comfortable than gaming laptops for these types of situations.
The following FromSoftware games are also Deck Verified: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Release Date
May 18, 2015
Studio
CD Projekt Red
Genre
Open-World RPG
Steam Link
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Valve has been working with CD Projekt Red to optimize The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077 for the Steam Deck, ensuring that owners can take these ambitious RPGs on the go and have a blast in the process. The Witcher 3 set a benchmark for gaming in general, particularly when it comes to storytelling in side content.
Set in a beautifully crafted world that builds upon the lore of previous franchise releases while still delivering an accessible package for newcomers, The Witcher 3 is gripping, deep, and addictive. The combat system takes a bit of getting used to, but things do start to come together once the player grows familiar with Geralt’s signs and tools. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Release Date
October 18, 2012
Studio
SCS Software
Genre
Driving Sim
Steam Link
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Celebrating more than a decade on the market, Euro Truck Simulator 2 has expanded by leaps and bounds since its debut. SCS Software’s driving sim asks players to grow a hauling empire, a journey that comes with humble beginnings. After spending a couple of hours working for established businesses, drivers can venture out on their own and start companies, a decision that opens up a host of management options.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is an oddly cathartic experience. When out on the open road, the rest of the (real) world has a tendency to disappear into the background. It is refreshing. SCS’s sim is at its best with a gaming wheel and a large monitor, but the Steam Deck is also an option. God Of War
Release Date
January 14, 2022 (PC)
Studio
Santa Monica Studio
Genre
Action-Adventure
Steam Link
God of War
A few years ago, it would have seemed ludicrous to imagine that Sony’s newest God of War would not only be available on a portable system but one specifically released by Valve. Changing things up significantly from previous entries in the series, 2018’s God of War drops Kratos and his son, Atreus, in Nordic mythology, and the latter’s deities are not particularly enamored by the Spartan’s arrival.
The first entry in a new saga, the game finds Kratos going on a pilgrimage to pay respect to his deceased wife while trying to foster a stronger bond with his child.
