Do you guys remember the feeling of getting your new console? The sheer joy of starting it up and getting ready to play the launch games on it? As soon as that fades though, you start to look through the library of games currently released, though it can feel endless. Thankfully though, when it comes to the Steam Deck, the community has you covered!
4 days ago we posed a question to our Twitter asking people what their favorite game/experience has been so far on Deck. So today, we present to you the findings of this age-old question. These games listed here are suggested from members of our incredible community, some of these games may need optimization to run well. Some people also listed multiple games, but to make it easier, we only listed the first one suggested!
SDHQ does not endorse content on Twitter profiles linked in this article.
Borderlands 3 (Playable)
This first-person RPG looter shooter known for having billions of different gun combinations is the third in the Borderlands entry and is way too much fun. Take on four different classes with unique skills and traverse the open-world leveling up and gunning down your enemies in this cel-shaded adventure. The game is $60 on Steam and carries the "Playable" Steam Deck rating. Will definitely need some adjustments.
Favored by @AArchemedes
Coffee Talk (Unknown, but reported very playable)
Want to just sit down, relax, have heart-to-heart conversations with a unique cast of characters, and drink some coffee? Then this is the game for you! Made by Toge Productions, Coffee Talk is all about getting to know the patrons who come in and getting immersed in the lives they live, all while serving them a nice warm brew or two. The game is $13 on Steam and while it is rated "Unknown", it is reported to be working perfectly out of the box.
Favored by @GamingOblivion
Dark Souls Remastered (Playable)
The game that started the phenomena that is the Souls genre (though you can arguably say that was Demon Souls). FromSoftware outdid themselves and single-handedly showed that harder difficulty games were still beloved by the masses. In this Action RPG, you create a character who must travel an open-world defeating some of the hardest enemies ever conceived in a game. Though admittedly, some areas are even worse than enemies (looking at you Blighttown and Tomb of the Giants). The game is $40 on Steam and carries a "Playable" Steam Deck rating.
Favored by @joelmedina_
Dead Cells (Verified)
Looking for a rogue-lite metroidvania platformer that becomes more and more addicting every second you play? Look no further! Dead Cells, made my Motion Twin, takes a unique 2.5D pixel visual style and attaches it onto a beautifully fleshed out combat system with unique weapons and items to upgrade and collect. The game is $25 on Steam and has a "Verified" Steam Deck rating.
Favored by @KrisAtk62233206
Death Stranding Director's Cut (Verified)
From the legendary creator of Metal Gear Solid, Hideo Kojima, comes a glorified package delivery simulator. All jokes aside, this game is a ton of fun. An expansive open-world, deep story, enjoyable gameplay mechanics, and of course, you can play as Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead (Norman Reedus)! The game is $40 on Steam and has a "Verified" rating for your Deck.
Favored by @momrockfan69
Elden Ring (Verified)
The culmination of the souls games all put into a new and improved package. With a similar combat system as the Dark Souls games, Elden Ring takes it up a notch by adding in an massive world to traverse and a tale that is very hard to figure out. It is an incredibly fun game and plays super well on the Steam Deck. SDHQ did a full performance review of it as well! The game is $60 and comes with a "Verified" rating on Steam.
Favored by @Thethousandscar
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (Verified)
An underrated cult classic that still holds up today, Enslaved takes you on an insane journey in an America 150 years in the future. Ninja Theory, the creators of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, take you on an action-adventure that you won't forget, filled with memorable fights and some fun platforming. The game is normally $20 on Steam, though it is on sale for $3 until tomorrow (August 1st)! The game has a "Verified" rating as well.
Favored by @WBB4145 and @KeithNotKeef1
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Verified)
Ready to embark on a journey that popularized the JRPG genre in the west? Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is a remake of the remarkable Final Fantasy 7...well part of it. It is a wonderful game filled with memorable characters that has been greatly expanded from its original version. SDHQ did a full performance review for this game too! FF7R is $70 on Steam and sports a "Verified" rating.
Favored by @cheidick
Final Fantasy XIV (Unsupported, but working)
Love the Final Fantasy setting and wished it would be a gigantic MMO that is not only constantly updated, but really well made? Well this game is for you! There is a monthly subscription fee, but the tradeoff is an ever-expanding game filled with new content and expansions happening. FF XIV can be bought on Steam, as well as its own launcher which has been reported to work better. The game is $20 for the base version and works with Proton Experimental or Proton GE.
Favored by @JParas91
Gears Tactics (Playable)
Turn-based strategy games are a perfect fit for the Deck, and this game is no exception! Set in the Gears universe, you must recruit and command your squad to hunt down the evil mastermind making the monsters attacking your allies. Packed with an immersive story, this game will keep you going with a customizable squad, skill system, and loot! The game is $40 on Steam and has a "Playable" rating on Steam.
Favored by @_WECKLESS
Heavy Rain (Verified)
How far will you go for someone you love? That is the tagline for Heavy Rain as you hunt down the Origami Killer in this psychological thriller. This award winning game takes you on a sprawling and gripping story with twists and turns that shock you every step of the way. The game is $20 and has a "Verified" rating on Steam.
Favored by @christrompeter
Heroes of Might and Magic 3 HD (Playable)
Time top take you back to the good ol' year of 1999 when this turn-based strategy gem came out! Rediscover this epic tale in a new HD experience with online multiplayer and a ton of fun! The game is $15 on Steam and has a "Playable" rating.
Favored by @AdamKecza
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition (Verified)
Open-world, machines, technology, giant mushroom giraffes, bow and arrows, and a gripping story. That's how I would define this game...yes. SDHQ also wrote a performance review too! The game is $50 on Steam with a "Verified" rating.
Favored by @igorabiola
Hotshot Racing (Unsupported, but working)
Arcade racing at its finest! With simplistic visuals and a classic style of gameplay, you will take to 16 different racing circuits ain different game modes like Time Trial, Grand Prix, Cops and Robbers, and...Drive or Explode?? The game is also multiplayer friendly with 4 player splitscreen and 8 player online! The game is originally $20, but will be $4 until August 4th. The game says it is "Unsupported", but runs perfectly fine unless you are in offline mode on Steam.
Favored by @vhogemann
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series (Verified)
Take another trip down memory lane with this remastered version of the classic 3D side-scrolling adventure games! The remaster consists of the first two Klonoa games, Door to Phantomile and Lunatea's Veil. The puzzle-platforming elements remain unchanged from the originals, but now with the overhauled graphics and difficulty systems of modern times. The game is $40 on Steam and has a "Verified" rating.
Favored by @Katon_Comics
Mafia: Definitive Edition (Unsupported, but working with tweaks)
Take on 1930's Illinois in this remake of the original Mafia game. Live the life of a gangster during the prohibition-era and rise through the ranks in the Mafia in this action open-world game. It is "Unsupported" on Steam Deck, but it can be run with a few tweaks, though performance may be harder to gauge. The game is $40 on Steam.
Favored by @RPOrlando91
Mass Effect Legendary Edition (Playable)
One of the main reasons I personally got a Steam Deck. Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a remastered overhaul for the original three games in the Mass Effect series in one package. I won't say too much, but if you enjoy third person shooters with heavy story emphasis and enjoy making choices that affect not only that game, but the other games in the series, you will LOVE this game. It is $60 on Steam and sports a "Playable" rating.
Favored by @daenerim
Multiversus (Unknown)
Warner Bros. take on the 2D platform fighting game genre to rival games like Super Smash Bros...and it does extremely well. Fight as Batman, Shaggy, Steven Universe, Bugs Bunny, and more in this FREE TO PLAY game that keeps you coming back for more. While it is "Unknown" on Steam, it runs very well on Deck!
Favored by @mateostech
Murder by Numbers (Verified)
Want to just chill and solve some puzzles in a gorgeously drawn game? Here you go! In Murder by Numbers, you solve pixelated puzzles to find clues and investigate murders across TV studios, award shows, drag clubs, and more. If you enjoy games like Phoenix Wright, than this is the game for you! The game is $15 on Steam with a "Verified" rating.
Favored by @mattvanboeyen
No Man's Sky (Verified)
If you don't know about this massive space exploration game yet, where have you been?? Journey across an infinitely generated universe filled with discoveries to be made, bases to be built, battles to be fought, and much much more. And with developer Hello Games adding in more and more content, there is no shortage of content to have fun with! The game is $60 originally, but is on sale for $30 until tomorrow (August 1st).
Favored by @Sirnulation
Paw Patrol: On a Roll
Ruff Ruff. Great game for kids!
Favored by @SBattlestation
Persona 4 Golden (Verified)
One of the best JRPG series to exist, Persona 4 Golden is easily one of the greatest in the Persona series as a whole. Set in rural Japan, this turn-based coming of age story kickstarted by a chain of serial murders where you will have to face kindred spirits and even the darker sides of your own selves. The game is $20 on Steam and has a "Verified" rating.
Favored by @thenoble1gaming (I'm sorry it was spoiled for you)
Project Zomboid (Verified)
Taking zombie survival to a whole new level. This massive sandbox hardcore RPG puts you on a vast map filled with the undead where just 1 bite could be your undoing. With deep gameplay mechanics, vehicles, local and online multiplayer, and more, Project Zomboid has it all. The game is $20 and has a "Verified" rating on Steam.
Favored by @tompnewton
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (Verified)
Did you like the descriptions for Dark Souls and Elden Ring but want something more fast-paced with vertical movement? Bam. It is $60 and comes with a "Verified" tag!
Favored by @_ALLSHALLFALL
Shadow Tactics: Blade of the Shogun (Verified)
Hardcore tactical stealth set in the Edo period of Japan? Count me in! Take control of a team of specialists and sneak around, wiping out your enemies in a stealthy gruesome manner. Infiltrate castles, monasteries, camps, and more as you poison opponents, set traps, or even completely evade them. The game is $40 on Steam and sports a "Verified" rating.
Favored by @_r00tme
Stray (Verified)
Meow.
Favored by @Nyl4r and @Spoonablehippo
Tekken 7 (Unsupported but working)
If you enjoy one on one fighting games like Street Fighter, get this game. Stunning visuals, incredible mechanics, just an all around fun time. The game says it is "Unsupported", but with the right tweaking, it works perfectly fine! The game is $40 on Steam.
Favored by @Atlassmith9
The Witcher 3 (Verified)
One of the most acclaimed RPG games of all time. Absolutely breathtaking, fantastic story, wonderful combat...it is fantastic. Just go get this game please. It is $40 for the base game and $50 for the Game of the Year edition (worth it). It also has a "Verified" rating on Steam.
Favored by @AKernelPanic
Tomb Raider (2013) (Playable)
A reboot of the Tomb Raider series that is absolutely fantastic. This is the beginning of Lara Croft's new story and sets it up in this beautiful adventure game with addicting combat mechanics. It is $15 on Steam with a "Playable" rating, though it plays fantastically at 60 FPS without draining the Deck.
Favored by @Puffball23 and @teh_0perat0r
Tunic (Verified)
This is a game for those who love the old Zelda-style games and miss the isometric beauty of it. Play as a little fox in this action game where you will discover the land, uncover secrets, and fight your way through...while putting together a game manual. Yes, a game manual...for Tunic. The game is $30 and has a verified rating on Steam.
Favored by @Apollokid3000
Emulation
Now of course, we asked about all experiences that can be had on Deck, which includes emulation! If you don't know how to set it up, I highly recommend checking out EmuDeck and installing them that way. We will not provide any links to download games for emulation and SDHQ condones piracy on any level.
Dreamcast Galore
Dreamcast is an underrated console...to a degree, but there are some fantastic games to play on there like Macross M3, Cannon Spike, and Jedi Power Battles (which was suggested to be the best Star Wars game ever made). I don't know how true that is, but I must investigate!
Favored by @LilTooClinical
Metroid Prime Trilogy
Using Primehack, Metroid Prime Trilogy is an absolute masterpiece. Taking the Metroid series to first person, this series smashes it out of the park for its gameplay, storytelling, and innovative nature...plus using Primehack gives it more traditional controls and gyro!
Favored by @hotfistdotcom
Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door
This awesome RPG game first made its debut on the N64, but nobody anticipated how great the follow up would be! Released on the GameCube, Paper Mario must now go through a different adventure with memorable characters and fantastic gameplay. This series is amazing...before Sticker Star of course.
Favored by @dA_CryptoGuy
Super Smash Bros Melee
I mean...this is a classic come on. Dare I need to speak more on this??
Favored by Linux Gaming Central
Tatsunoko Vs Capcom
Another one on one fighting game. Though this one saw Capcom fighters face off against the Tatsunoko universe. It is a heavily underrated game and pretty dang fun if you have it!
Favored by @TrueGam3r
So there you have it! Those are the recommended games to play on Steam Deck straight from the community. Some of my personal favorites are up here as well, though if I had to add two...
Kingdom Hearts
Just go play Kingdom Hearts. I don't care if you like this kind of game or not, go play it. It is on Epic Store, just go.
Rimworld (Verified)
For $35, you are getting a near endless amount of content in one insanely great package. It is a top down sandbox management game where you take control of your crew and try to survive. With deep psychological mechanics for each person and a robust modding community, this game will have everything you could ever hope for. And it is "Verified"... please go get it.
Thanks for reading everyone! And thank you to each person who submitted a game. You guys are awesome!!
RECENT NEWS
Categories
Recent Tips & GUIDES
recent reviews
I've been playing Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure! for GameCube on EmuDeck and I would really recommend it. It's a laid back and cute adventure/3D platformer with an interesting story. Runs well, the controls are great, and the game is very light on the Deck battery. Been using the recommended settings for Paper Mario TTYD to play it.