If you own Valve's PC handheld, you really need to know what the best Steam Deck games are so that you can make the most out of it. There's such a wide variety of titles on Steam, and every genre you can imagine has some excellent games that are Steam Deck verified, or, at the very least, playable on the system.
Our list champions different genres to ensure there's something for everyone, from epic RPG adventures to high-octane sports matches and even one of the best PlayStation first-party games you can play. The best thing about the Steam Deck is that it's portable, meaning you can play it from anywhere; it certainly makes those tedious commutes a lot more interesting, though some games are just as good for a quick round on your 15-minute break at work.
Here are the best Steam Deck games:
1. Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 just might be one of the best games ever. For those who don't know, it's a sprawling Dungeons and Dragons-style RPG with fantastically in-depth character customization, relationships, 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 fantastic - 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.
As fantastic as Baldur's Gate 3 is, there are many more adventures for you to experience, so make sure you check out our guide to the best RPGs you can enjoy. Some are even great if you're an NS player, as a Baldur's Gate 3 Switch port doesn't seem likely.
Check prices: Steam Deck
2. Rematch
Rematch, or FIFU as you may want to call it, is ace. Merging the casual fun of sports game staples like Rocket League with the glory days of FIFA Street, Rematch's hook lies in its unique control scheme. Think of it like a third-person shooter, but the battle is a soccer match. It takes some time to get used to this approach, after years of FIFA games, but it soon clicks to a satisfying degree.
In our Rematch review, Sam Comrie gives the game an 8/10, claiming that "Rematch breaks the rules of its genre rivals, innovating from Sifu's complexity with a satisfying control scheme that makes each goal feel like an out-of-body experience." Beyond that, Sam also explains that "there's a fantastic social experience at hand here, ripe for late nights of cursing your friends' names and celebrating their feats in one fell swoop."
Rematch is easily one of the best football games you can play, but you should check out our guide to see what other titles you can try with that competitive edge of yours.
Check prices: Steam Deck
3. 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. Oh, a hint from one player to another… don't leave your gunpowder barrels lying around.
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. Plus, if you're worried about the prospect of getting sunk by other players - a very real threat - you can play on the safer seas mode, where it's just you and up to three friends.
There's no denying that Seas of Thieves is a king among multiplayer games, taking to the vast oceans with a group of friends, or just conversing with kind strangers. We can't recommend this game enough.
Check prices: Steam Deck
4. Elden Ring
Elden Ring is nothing short of a must-play if you enjoy difficult games, especially so if you get a kick out of other FromSoftware games like Bloodborne and the Dark Souls trilogy. You are Tarnished, and it's your duty to fight your way through The Lands Between to take your place as Elden Lord. Mind you, that's much easier said than done with the sheer number of bosses that stand in your way.
Luckily, there are various classes you can choose from at the start of your adventure, along with what feels like a never-ending list of weapons, spells, and miracles to use. It's wise to choose what type of gear you want to use (colossal sword, short sword, great sword, bow and arrow, staff, shield, heavy armor, light armor, etc), so that you can tailor your attributes to suit your needs.
Trust me, you won't get anywhere in this world without a thorough build that works for you. Don't worry, the rush and sense of accomplishment you get from overcoming your foes is more than worth the frustration you may feel at times. If you enjoy games like Dark Souls, Elden Ring is absolutely worth your time; it's one of the hardest games you can play.
Check prices: Steam Deck
5. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 got off to a rocky start upon release in 2020, due to performance issues, but five years later, it's solidly one of the very best role-playing games that you can play. It's got high-octane action by the barrel full, featuring a great protagonist and the true freedom to experience V's story your way, from their background to the actions they take on their battle to live in Night City.
In my Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 review, I gave the game near-perfect marks with a 9/10, claiming it to be "One of the greatest RPGs of the last decade," and that "it features a stellar cast that makes your time in Night City even more interesting." Trust me, the main narrative is the only thing that'll hook you on, as characters like Judy, River, and Panam all have their own things going on that serve as a good distraction from the ticking time bomb in V's head. Then there's the combat, you have so much freedom with various approaches that you'll want to do multiple playthroughs just to experience them all.
Besides Cyberpunk 2077, games like The Witcher help cement CD Projekt Red as one of the best studios in the world for single-player games.
Check prices: Steam Deck
6. Marvel's Spider-Man
Marvel's Spider-Man offers one of the best adventures you can experience with the famous webslinger, putting you in the suit of an adult Peter Parker, rather than one who's still in high school or fresh out of education. It features a whole host of iconic characters, including numerous villains who come together to create a truly special story with twists and turns that keep you guessing exactly how everything plays out.
Of course, Spidey has access to a whole heap of gadgets, which you can upgrade and unlock as you progress through the game and get some new abilities - hey, even superheroes still need to learn on the go. All of those gadgets and upgrades help make the combat engaging and satisfying, with there being many crimes to stop, hideouts to infiltrate, and enemies to fight. You always have something to do.
Of course, being as busy as this hero is means that there are many more adventures for you to experience, so make sure you check out our Spider-Man games guide to see how else you can help Spidey out.
Check prices: Steam Deck
7. No Man's Sky
When Hello Games first released No Man's Sky in 2016, it was a title full of broken promises, but that's not the case anymore. This game boasts one of the greatest comeback stories of all time, offering a fantastic player experience today that warrants you at least trying it. Plus, updates are frequent, ensuring that you have fresh content to enjoy regularly.
Sam Comrie gave the game a 9/10 in our No Man's Sky review, claiming that "No Man's Sky is the definitive example of a comeback. What was once a hollow experience is now a dense RPG that encourages you to play your way without punishing you for it." He also believes that "With excellent multiplayer and waves of free content to dig into, No Man's Sky is the only space RPG you need to play right now."
While exploring the cosmos in NMS alone can be fun, No Man's Sky's crossplay capabilities mean that you can enjoy the game with your friends regardless of which platform you all use, so keep that in mind if you want to travel with some pals.
Check prices: Steam Deck
8. Balatro
Even if you don't like regular poker, you'd be a fool not to give Balatro a try - there's a reason it's the TGA 2024 Mobile Game of the Year and Indie Game of the Year. The Joker system is what really elevates it, with well over 100 cards offering unique buffs and stipulations, ensuring that your runs are vastly different each time. If you enjoy roguelikes, this is one you need to try.
In his Balatro review, Connor Christie gives the game a solid 9/10, stating that "few deck-building roguelikes can compete with its gratifying gameplay loop. With creative mechanics, charming visuals, and a wealth of content to keep you coming back for more, this is truly an indie hit for the ages." I'm inclined to agree with Connor here, and its roguelike nature means it's great for whipping out for those short breaks you may have or if you want to kill the hours on a long journey.
I'd go out on a limb and say that Balatro is flat out the best card game you can play, though our list does feature some other excellent suggestions if you want some more intense card-based action. May the odds be in your favor.
Check prices: Steam Deck
9. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is videogame royalty at this point, and you should absolutely give it a go on your Steam Deck. It's one of the greatest farming games of all time, offering something so special that many developers continue to try to replicate it all these years later. Beyond allowing you to create a farm full of crops and animals, the game features combat, which means you can fight creatures at night. It's the best of both worlds; cozy by day, chaos by night.
In his Stardew Valley review, Connor Christie gives the game a 10/10, perfect marks. He claims that "Stardew Valley is one of the most influential titles of the 21st century, providing a blueprint for a reimagined genre and endless hours of playability. Simply put, this game is a masterpiece and is set to go down as one of the greatest of all time." I can't help but echo Connor's sentiments, and I have to add that forging friendships and relationships with the townsfolk is nothing short of a joy.
Plenty of the Stardew Valley characters are open to romance as well, and our personal favorites are Harvey and Maru. This title is one of the best cozy games you can get on any console, so you don't have any excuse not to try it out.
Check prices: Steam Deck
10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red is royalty in the RPG genre, and The Witcher 3 is among the very best. You play as Geralt of Rivia, a man on a mission to track down his adoptive daughter, Ciri, before the Wild Hunt can get to her. He's a Witcher, which means he kicks butt in combat, using swords, signs, and potions. You have many options for gear, and this sprawling world begs you to explore it. It's truly beautiful, if you ignore the number of monsters that are about.
Luckily, you can take down those monsters in engaging combat, with The Witcher 3 granting you quite a lot of freedom in how you approach things. I'm a fan of brute force with my sword, but you can use signs, potions, bombs, and more to deal with your enemies. Beyond a great story, fun combat, and an ethereal world, there's a very strong cast of characters who all come together to help shape the game.
There's more to The Witcher games than just monster-slaying action, as well. Seriously, do yourself a favor and check out Gwent.
Check prices: Steam Deck
11. The Finals
The Finals is one of the very best shooters you can play right now. Despite all the chaotic destruction, debris, and carnage that can happen, the Steam Deck takes it all in stride with ease. We've sunk over 400 hours into this game across various platforms, and the handheld PC experience holds up just as well as consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
The Finals takes place in a near-future setting, where contestants compete in a virtual battlefield, sponsored by all sorts of wild companies within the game's lore. You battle to extract cash from other players, banking it in a Cash Out station across Quick Cash, Ranked, and World Tour modes. Different modes like Power Shift see you fight for control of a moving platform, while Team Deathmatch puts a unique spin on this familiar playlist. The game features three classes: Light, Medium, and Heavy. They're all equipped with class-exclusive weapons and gadgets to master.
To ensure you make the most out of this FPS game on your handheld, our The Finals Steam Deck guide tells you the best settings to use to make sure you get to experience this game to the fullest.
Play for free: Steam
12. Schedule 1
If you like Breaking Bad (and considering how great it is, you probably do), you need to give Schedule 1 a try. You start as a small-time drug dealer in a whole new place without a penny to your name, so you need to start from nothing and build yourself an empire that other kingpins and drug lords are envious of.
Of course, your competitors don't take too kindly to your daring to set foot on their turf, meaning you need to contend with other cartels - yes, this involves the use of firearms and other items that you can use to cause some bodily harm. Hey, this is the criminal underworld; you need to get your hands dirty if you want not only to survive, but thrive. Luckily, you don't need to do everything alone, as not only can you hire employees as you grow your empire, but you can bring a friend along for the ride, too.
Schedule 1 is one of the best games like GTA, so it's worth a try while we wait for GTA 6. Sometimes you just need the rush that comes with being a virtual criminal.
Check prices: Steam Deck
13. Marvel Rivals
Who needs Overwatch when you can play Marvel Rivals? This team-based shooter features all your favorite Marvel characters, including mine - Magik. So, you don't just need to settle for the likes of Spider-Man and Iron-Man, who show up everywhere. The matches are high-octane, and the number of characters available, with their varying abilities, ensures that every round is chaotic.
Graced with a vibrant, fun art style that leaps right off the pages of a graphic novel, Marvel Rivals explores a fascinating multiverse where Doctor Doom threatens to rip the fabric of space and time into shreds. That's where you come in, teaming up in intense battles as iconic heroes and villains to reign supreme. It's ideal for quick games, largely due to the lightning-fast matchmaking.
It certainly offers something a bit different from other Marvel games, though that doesn't mean it's not nice to take a break from the fast-paced action to enjoy longer adventures with your favorite heroes. If you're just starting, we can tell you the best Marvel Rivals Steam Deck settings as well.
Play for free: Steam Deck
14. ARC Raiders
Embark Studios' second game pivots to extraction shooter action in a retro-futuristic future. In a world where sentient, evil cyborgs known as ARCs rule the surface, the remnants of humankind take refuge in Speranza, one of the last underground cities on Earth. Some people, known as Raiders, go out onto the surface to look for gear, robbing other players, or banding together to defeat ARCs. It can be any way you want.
ARC Raiders is brilliant, and it makes an otherwise hardcore genre approachable for anyone. If you don't like the punishing nature of Escape from Tarkov but love a good grind and excellent firefights, then this is for you. In our ARC Raiders review, Sam Comrie says that ARC Raiders doubles down that Embark Studios is a force of nature in the shooter space […] with best-in-class sound design, gripping firefights, and a brilliant social system to explore, no match is the same within the Rust Belt."
If this sounds good to you, then don't forget to swing by our ARC Raiders Steam Deck guide to get ready for the Rust Belt.
Check prices: Steam
New Steam Deck games
While upcoming mobile games and upcoming Switch games are exciting, we can't help but feel extra excited for Steam Deck games. However, it's hard to tell if a game will be Steam Deck verified until launch. Still, that doesn't stop us from looking forward to games like Resident Evil: Requiem, the next entry in Capcom's famed horror series, though we're also eager for Grand Theft Auto VI - come on, Rockstar, please make this compatible with our beloved Steam Decks.
There you have it, our recommendations for what you should play on Steam Deck. If you ask us, this is a solid list full of great experiences, but if you think there's a game that deserves to be on here (or just want to humble us), head on over to our community Discord and let us know. Alternatively, for even more great games to play on the go, check out our best mobile games and best Switch games lists.