The best Steam Deck games will take your handheld sessions to the next level. We’ll bring you a selection of titles you can’t get on the Nintendo Switch, because not many people are going to buy the same game on different consoles – and we’re a Nintendo site at heart.
You can read our Steam Deck review here if you’re thinking about getting one, and in case you haven’t heard there’s a rumor of an impending Switch 2 release date if you want to head back to a Nintendo console, perhaps with one of these new Switch games?
Here are the best Steam Deck games:
Baldur’s Gate 3
Not just one of the best Steam Deck games, but one of the best games ever is Baldur’s Gate 3. For those who don’t know, it’s a sprawling Dungeons and Dragons-flavored RPG with fantastically in-depth character customization, relationship, and party building, and combat that can change in the blink of an eye with the roll of a die.
You can be a rogue that leads your party into dire situations and gives in to the dark side, or you can take on one of the key characters as your avatar and lie through their eyes. Baldur’s Gate offers so many paths to take and tons of replayability.
Being able to play Baldur’s Gate on a handheld console is amazing – not just for you lot that want to cuddle up to Astarion and Shadowheart – as you’ll be playing for hours and hours, and no one wants to sit at a desk for that long. Also, here’s what we know about a Baldur’s Gate 3 Switch port. You can read our sister site, PCGN’s Baldur’s Gate 3 review, for a deeper look into the game.
- Developer – Larian Studios
- Size – 150 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Hi-Fi Rush
Though rumors are swirling around that Hi-Fi Rush may come to Switch, it remains limited to PC and Xbox consoles for now – including the Steam Deck, of course. Get ready to rock in Tango Gameworks and Bethesda’s colorful game with rhythm-enhanced combat.
The soundtrack of Hi-Fi Rush is excellent, bringing in classic tracks by The Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails, and The Black Keys, among others. As you vibe to ‘Invaders Must Die’, you become Chai, the ‘defective’ wannabe rockstar. It doesn’t stop him from having a great time and trying his best, as he beats bosses and tries to defeat the evil megacorp.
- Developer – Tango Gameworks
- Size – 20 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Sea of Thieves
Avast, mateys! Take to the seven seas and sail around in this multiplayer pirate game, where there’s plenty of treasure to loot and skeletons to vanquish. I’m talking about Sea of Thieves, Rare’s online game where you live the pirate life you’ve always wanted.
Set up a swashbuckling sloop, brigantine, or galleon to sail with friends or on your own, and then take on tons of voyages that lead you across the sea. Dive below the waves to plunder a shipwreck, fight off a megalodon or the Kraken, and take part in the Pirates of the Caribbean and Monkey Island stories available in the game. Oh, a hint from one player to another… don’t leave your gunpowder barrels lying around.
If you’re worried about the prospect of getting sunk by other players – a very real threat – you can now play on the safer seas mode, where it’s just you and up to three friends.
- Developer – RARE
- Size – 100 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verfied
Elden Ring
We have Dark Souls on Switch, but what about its younger sibling – Elden Ring? Is there an Elden Ring Switch port? No, but it’s available on the Steam Deck for anyone wanting a challenging RPG set in a dark and beautiful world. From Software outdid itself with Elden Ring, where you, as the Tarnished, must wield the power of the ring and become a lord of the land. For a longer explanation, check out PCGamesN’s Elden Ring review.
The combat is hard, yes, but that’s the beauty of it. It might take you a few tries to defeat a boss, but when the world and characters look this good, you don’t mind. And once you do win these epic battles, the glory tastes incredibly sweet.
Elden Ring allows you to explore the Lands Between with your trusty horse-goat-thing Torrent, who carries you from swamps to forests to castles. Collect weapons and spells as you wander through the open world. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the pope turtle, Miriel, while you’re there.
- Developer – FromSoftware
- Size – 60 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Diablo IV
If you want to raise some hell, you can do just that in Diablo VI. Though older games in the same series are available on the Switch, you have to grab the fourth entry on the Steam Deck.
As the endless battle between the heavens and hells continues, you can explore the world around you while dodging demons and conquering darkness. IV is set 50 years after Diablo III when the world had a moment of solace that has now come to an end. There’s a new demon princess – Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto – and a cult you’ve gotta deal with now through dungeon crawling, hacking, and slashing your way along. We wonder, is Diablo 4 coming to Switch? In the meantime, check out some games like Diablo.
- Developer – Blizzard Entertainment
- Size – 90 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Final Fantasy XV
There are a few Final Fantasy games on the Switch, but that list doesn’t include one of the best entries to the series – Final Fantasy XV. This game follows Prince Noctis and his loveable band of friends on what is essentially a fantasy road trip across Eos. Initially, Noctis and co head out so he can marry Princess Lunafreya, but as they leave, the Empire strikes and the world needs saving.
Meanwhile, the boys help Noctis to grow stronger, while taking on some side jobs like monster hunting and riding Chocobos. FFXV also has what I think is one of the best videogame songs of all time – Valse di Fantastica – which plays as you drive to Lestallum.
- Developer – Square Enix
- Size – 100 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Are you a fan of Marvel? Are you also a fan of life simulator games, card-based combat, and witchcraft? Well, you’re in for a treat with Midnight Suns. This game has it all. You can befriend and hang out with classic heroes like Captain America and Wolverine, doing things such as bird-watching and painting, then head out on some top-secret missions to destroy Hydra’s bases.
Meanwhile, you unravel the story of your own character, the Hunter, and their ties to evil Lilith. Midnight Suns comes from the team behind XCOM, so you know it’s made with some expertise and won’t let you down. If you’re a fan of Marvel games, perhaps these web-slingin’ Spider-Man games will tickle your fancy.
- Developer – Firaxis Games
- Size – 60 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Cyberpunk 2077
By now, everyone knows what Cyberpunk 2077 is, and we’re all aware that it now runs well after an initially rocky beginning. You are V, you’re a mercenary, and you’ve got Keanu Reeves sort of living in your brain. Well, it’s Johnny Silverhand, but he’s played by Mr Reeves and looks just like him.
CDProjekt Red’s sprawling RPG has multiple paths for you to take and plenty of customization options for you to add bits of cyberware to yourself that can enhance your skills. This is key as you – and Johnny – work to separate yourselves after you get stuck together during a heist that goes south. Of course, there are tons of things to do in Night City, a dystopian metropolis filled with thrills.
- Developer – CDProjekt Red
- Size – 70 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Just Cause 3
While it’s tempting to include Just Cause 2 on this list, another banger game, Just Cause 3 best encompasses all that the franchise has to offer. Avalanche Studios’ massive open-world series is all about causing destruction in the most bombastic ways possible, all while liberating countries for nasty bad guys. You’ll use your trusty wingsuit, skydiving skills, explosives, weapons, hoverboards, lightning guns, and more to get the job done.
The Just Cause 3 franchise is a great homage to 80s action movies, with plenty of cheese to go around. It runs fantastic on the Steam Deck, and will keep you entertained for hours.
- Developer – Avalanche Studios
- Size – 54 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – playable
Marvel’s Spider-Man
Yes, somehow, Insomniac Games’ gorgeous first entry into its Spider-Man universe works on Steam Deck. Now, you won’t be hitting constant 60 FPS, but with some tweaks, you can easily keep a nice 40 FPS setup going – similar to the sequel’s own 40 FPS mode on consoles. Marvel’s Spider-Man places directly under the mask, as you take on the mantle of Spider-Man well into his career, with legendary villains like Kingpin and members of the Sinister Six already dealt with… for now.
- Developer – Insomniac Games
- Size – 75 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
No Man’s Sky
While No Man’s Sky can be played on the humble Nintendo Switch, getting to see the game’s fidelity improve alongside a tasty frame rate bump is worth picking it up on the Steam Deck. Of course, accompanying these performance enhancements is an excellent open-world sci-fi experience that stands tall today. You’ll voyage into the deepest depths of an infinite universe, discovering new planets, races, creatures, and more, at your own pace. Craft incredible bases and gadgets, whether you’re playing alone or with friends. The possibilities that await in No Man’s Sky still blow us away.
- Developer – Hello Games
- Size – 15 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Balatro
Don’t worry if you’re not a poker expert, because Balatro’s superb gameplay loop and roguelike inspiration will have you swiping cards like a gaming James Bond in no time. Balatro really did come out of nowhere, but we’re so happy it had made the splash it has. As the game isn’t too demanding on your Steam Deck, you can get hours of gameplay out of this game.
- Developer – LocalThunk
- Size – 62 MB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
Forza Horizon 5
If you’re looking for some premium racing thrills on the Steam Deck, then Forza Horizon 5 is an essential slice of racer bliss. Taking the action from Forza Horizon 4’s depiction of the Scottish Highlands to Mexico, the result is a vibrant mix of off-road and street races that put Need for Speed to shame.
- Developer – Playground Games
- Size – 103 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – playable
Stardew Valley
ConcernedApe’s critically acclaimed farming simulator is a match made in heaven for the Steam Deck. Barely consuming any power, running with ease, and just giving you an excellent gameplay loop, Stardew Valley’s fun never gets old. You’ll meet a whole plethora of lovely townsfolk, making new friends, and even sparking a romantic flame along the way. Get fishing, farming, and friending on-the-go.
- Developer – ConcernedApe
- Size – 500 MB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CDProjektRed are masters of the RPG space, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt cementing itself as a staple for the genre. Evolving the developer’s approach to combat, storytelling, and worldbuilding masterfully, this is fantastic game to dip in and out of when you’ve got the time. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster slayer on a quest to find his adopted daugher. With tons of beasties to defeat, weapons to forge, and secrets to unearth, there’s a lot to keep you busy.
- Developer – CDProjektRed
- Size – 50 GB
- Steam Deck verified status – verified
We’re eagerly waiting for news on some other games coming to portable consoles, like if a Sims Nintendo Switch version exists or when the Silksong release date might actually be. We can also recommend some of the best mobile games out there and the best gaming phones to play them on.