The Steam Deck launched Valve to the mobile gaming market when it debuted on February 25, 2022. These gadgets, which are available in three variations, are designed to give PC gamers a portable choice without sacrificing performance. The product has received generally favourable reviews, and the Steam Deck becomes progressively simpler to get.
Since the hardware’s introduction, Valve has been steadily reviewing Steam’s enormous library to determine which games are appropriate for the Steam Deck. Any game that bears the business’ seal of approval has gone through all inspections and ought to provide a positive user experience on the portable system. Let’s look at the top games for Steam Deck using the Deck Verified criterion.
Street Fighter 6
Even while Street Fighter 5 had excellent gameplay, Capcom generally messed up, especially when it came to the offline solo content. Fortunately, this cannot be said of its replacement. Street Fighter 6 makes an effort to make up for the shortcomings of its ill-received predecessor by offering one of the fighting genre’s most complete single-player modes.
| Release Date | June 2, 2023 |
| Studio | Capcom |
| Genre | Fighting |
When a player is prepared to connect to the internet, they can launch Battle Hub, a mode that promotes the SF6 community. Battle Hub allows users to just move around and exist with other fighters in addition to the typical match kinds associated with online soldiers. Although the single-player World Tour mode is excellent, the Battle Hub is the true core of SF6.
Hogwarts Legacy
In terms of popularity, Hogwarts Legacy has arguably been the game of 2023 so far. The Harry Potter game allows players to pursue a distinct plot set in the Wizarding World because it takes place around a century before the events of the books and movies.
| Release Date | February 10, 2023 |
| Studio | Avalanche Software |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Open-World |
Even though a Nintendo Switch port has been announced, a Steam Deck (or, technically, a laptop) is currently the only portable gaming device that supports Hogwarts Legacy.
Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush unexpectedly appeared. The game from Tango Gameworks was unveiled and made available on the same day, and it is also included in Xbox Game Pass. Additionally, the hack and slash game is already Steam Deck verified, allowing handheld system owners to start playing right away.
| Release Date | January 25, 2023 |
| Studio | Tango Gameworks |
| Genre | Hack and Slash, Rhythm |
Dying Light
The sequel to Dying Light is a respectable game in and of itself, and both Dying Light games have Steam Deck verification. However, Techland’s 2015 original is particularly noteworthy since it leans far more heavily toward survival horror than its follow-up, which helps set it apart from the numerous other open-world games that are now flooding the market.
| Release Date | January 26, 2015 |
| Studio | Techland |
| Genre | Survival Horror |
The franchise is mostly recognized for its parkour gameplay, which is made possible by a level that places a focus on verticality. Intense first-person fighting is also present, especially at night. The finest open-world zombie game ever would likely be Dying Light.
Cuphead
The Delicious Last Course expansion for Cuphead was finally published on June 30, 2022, making today the perfect moment to start playing the challenging platformer. Cuphead, which draws inspiration from vintage cartoons, features magnificent visuals, precise controls, and a ton of masterfully made bosses that want nothing more than to torture players.
| Release Date | September 29, 2017 |
| Studio | Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. |
| Genre | Platformer, Run And Gun |
The Outlast Trials
Outlast or its follow-up, two playable but imperfect games on the Steam Deck, would be preferable choices for someone explicitly looking for a single-player survival horror experience. The Outlast Trials, which has been made available in early access, is very different from its predecessors. One is that the game prioritizes and supports co-op, and it manages this aspect reasonably effectively.
| Release Date | May 18, 2023 |
| Studio | Red Barrels |
| Genre | Survival Horror |
Elden Ring
There is a good likelihood that the majority of Steam Deck adopters have already visited or will visit the Lands Between as Elden Ring is undoubtedly the best game of 2022 thus far. A fairly stunning experience with respectable performance and aesthetics is what they may expect. Playing Elden Ring on a plane has become possible thanks to the Steam Deck, which didn’t seem likely prior to the platform’s launch. Additionally, it is far more comfortable in these circumstances than gaming laptops.
| Release Date | February 25, 2022 |
| Studio | FromSoftware |
| Genre | Open-World RPG |
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077 have been optimized for the Steam Deck by Valve and CD Projekt Red, enabling owners to enjoy these ambitious RPGs while on the road. In terms of side content storytelling in particular, The Witcher 3 set a standard for video games in general.
| Release Date | May 18, 2015 |
| Studio | CD Projekt Red |
| Genre | Open-World RPG |
God Of War
A few years ago, it would have been absurd to think that Valve would explicitly produce a portable system for Sony’s newest God of War game. In stark contrast to earlier games in the series, 2018’s God of War places Kratos and his son Atreus in Nordic mythology, where the gods are not overly fond of the Spartan’s arrival.
| Release Date | January 14, 2022 (PC) |
| Studio | Santa Monica Studio |
| Genre | Action-Adventure |
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
Amazingly, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is now not only accessible on PC but can also be played during a commute owing to the Steam Deck. Spider-Man games and open-world games are both widely available, but Insomniac was able to blend the two to produce something genuinely unique. Players take on the role of Marvel’s friendly neighbourhood superhero and swing across Manhattan’s intricate streets while battling enemies, completing side missions, and pulling off the occasional trick in the air.
| Release Date | August 12, 2022 |
| Studio | Insomniac Games, Nixxes Software |
| Genre | Open-World Action |
The controls for Spider-Man are excellent, resulting in a traversal system that may be the most enjoyable in any open-world game (apart from perhaps its spin-off, Miles Morales). Both in terms of presentation and content, the primary tale is also fairly strong. All of the DLC, including The City That Never Sleeps, is included in the PC edition. The DLC is ok when it’s part of the original game, but it’s not a wonderful addition when it’s an extra you can buy.
