14 Best Steam Deck Games To Play Right Now

Steam Decks are now readily available and like it or not, they’re slowly transforming us all into PC gamers. So whether you’ve had one for a while, just got yours during the holidays or won it during the Game Awards giveaway, here are 14 games that are a real treat to play on it.

First up is the GameSpot game of the year–the perfect 10–Elden Ring. In the game you play as a lowly tarnished with the ultimate goal of seeking the shards of the Elden Ring and becoming the Elden Lord. On your journey you’ll find hidden dungeons, rare loot, beautiful views, terrifying creatures and lots of tough enemies that will test your strength. Just try to keep your cool, a Steam Deck broken out of frustration is a bit more expensive to replace than a controller.   

Another challenging game with monsters is Vampire Survivors, a top-down roguelite indie survival game that charmed its way onto tons of Top 10 lists in 2022. The premise is simple: you choose from a handful of unique survivors, kill monsters to collect gems that turn into experience points, level up to earn upgrades and last as long as you possibly can.

If those first two games weren't filled with enough swords and magic for you then check out Cult of the Lamb. In this game you play as a lamb saved from death by a mysterious entity, The One Who Waits. In return you must return to the land of the living, start a cult in their name and defeat the Bishops of the Old Faith. Seems like a fair trade right? And when you’re not slaying heretics, you’ll be gardening, decorating, cooking, getting married and playing dice, all while listening to a soundtrack filled with BANGERS. 

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is my favorite game of all time and it feels so at home on the Steam Deck (Sorry Switcher 3 fans). Though the game is now seven years old, it's still a benchmark in video game storytelling, especially when it comes to those incredible side quests. Exploring the world, meeting colorful characters, and slaying monsters makes any train ride or picnic so much more interesting. 

Some might say that I’ve left the best for last and to be honest, I wouldn’t argue with those people. Powerwash Simulator is exactly what the name implies: a game about cleaning things with a power washer. The experience focuses on building up your own business in its career mode and completing dirty jobs across the town of Muckingham. There's no time limit or a nagging sensation to achieve a high score, just you, a filthy building, and complete freedom in how you want to finish the mission. Powerwash Sim was the drug that got to try a ton of other “simulator” games, like Lawn mowing Sim, and I love getting a little cleaning done everywhere I do with Steam Deck.

[bencampbell]

This list is much better than IGN's, and you can tell it was written by someone who actually owns a steamdeck

[scrubyt]

Some games I've been playing on the Steam Deck and would highly recommend are: Melatonin, Potion Permit, Potionomics, Cultic, Fashion Police Squad, Have a Nice Death, Perfect Gold, Spookware, Mini Motorways, Cooking Simulator, Everhood, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, The Letter, Monster Prom and Persona 5. All of these games play very well are games everyone should pick up for the Deck imo

[aelaan]

This truly has been a miracle holiday season, the steam decks are now indeed shipping. Mine is in a FedEx truck on its way. Reserved on December 24, paid on December 27, Packaged on December 28, Shipped on December 30 and estimated delivery on January 4 in Ontario, Canada. That is much faster than anticipated. I have loaded up my Steam account with three of these games.

[brandonreyes]

Crazy how I got my steam deck this week and I haven’t even touched my PS5. It’s slowly becoming my go to device. Been balling in GTA IV and Shadows over loathing

[legoshi]

I highly recommend Nier Automata, Hades, DMC 5, borderlands 2, ruiner, need for speed hot pursuit, noita, ROR1/2. Some of the games I've been enjoying a lot on the deck, you can play almost anything but these just feel right.

[HazardMilk]

My recommendations:
- Signalis
- Ryse: Son of Rome
- Batman Arkham Origins
- Hotline Miami
- Katana Zero
- Dead Cells
- Mother Russia Bleeds
- 198X
- Ape Out
- Prodeus

[errold.t]

Vampire Survivors is so deceptively addictive like....I can't believe how much time I sunk into it so quickly

[pixelmentia]

The Steam Deck has become my main gaming platform. The ability to play almost any game imaginable from the comfort of my bed or couch is transformative.

[Dukeofcrow]

Do not pull out your Steam Deck on the bus or Metro unless you wanna be Steam Deck-less

[ThuggyMacho]

I appreciate the versatility in the games instead of including all open world triple A games.

[thundrstruck]

This is actually a pretty interesting list. Thanks for posting this

[hankhillsdisappointedsigh]

Glad to see Dorfromantik and OlliOlli World on the list. Those are 2 of my favorites for the Deck.
Some others I highly recommend that are great on Deck are:
- Fez
- Hollow Knight
- Disco Elysium
- Tunic
- Neon White
- TMNT: Shredders Revenge
- Hob
- Dishonored
- Eastward
- Ghostrunner

[robinhoodrs]

Albion Online on the Steam Deck is soooo good! Free to Play MMORPG, I'd highly suggest checking it out if you haven't.

[Splackavellie]

Some games that run absolutely great that weren’t mentioned, and can all be found for less than $10, some even below $5:

- Ghostbusters The Video Game Remastered. Very underrated game that runs beautifully and is a better Ghostbusters sequel than any of the reboots.

- Mad Max. Another game that didn’t get the appreciation it deserved. Runs a rock solid 60fps and looks and plays great. Very good battery life too.

The Walking Dead: definitive series. Plays like it was made for the Steam Deck and provides hours upon hours of good storytelling.

- Sonic Mania. The best Sonic game ever made.

- Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. Another underrated game that has a good story and plays like a precursor to Uncharted and The Last of Us, even if it’s not as good as either of those.

- Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. Playing this on the Steam Deck with headphones and the screen close to your face is a mindf*ck

- Max Payne 3. Great game that plays at a locked 60fps and looks great on the Steam Deck.

- Yooka Laylee & Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair. Both good platformers, but the Donkey Kong-inspired Impossible Lair is the superior of the two.

- Tomb Raider reboot series. All three games ran great.

- Shadow of Mordor. IMO superior to the sequel. Runs great, looks great and it’s still an amazing game.

- The Talos Principle. A Portal-inspired FPS with fantastic puzzles, interesting story and perfect “pick up and play” puzzles.

[ralphlyf]

I love mines! Been had mines for 4 months and can't put it down. Current bought from the steam winter sale God Of War and Halo MCC 😎

[Vor_Tex_Sun]

Control - ultimate edition. Is such an awesome game on the deck. Its has the best physics and gun play I have played. It also looks great and is unique

[jamesbalaj]

The thing I love the most about this list is a nice indie offer for each triple A or more well known titles!

[triettranquoc]

The video is great!! Tks a lot. But hey it would be much much better if you show actual gameplay on steam deck as well :p

[ftkvyn]

Dwarf Fortress Steam edition plays surprisingly well on a steam deck. I just wanted to try it out there and spent a whole evening (and some more later) in it.

[ryanfields]

It's become my 3rd party machine it's amazing not having to hog the TV been finishing up alot of jrps