New Steam Deck Verified/Playable Highlights 9/18 - 9/24

Valve went over the top last week with over 200 games upgraded to Verified or Playable status and there are some DAMN good ones here! Here are the 20 highlights we found. You can also follow our Twitter for more immediate updates to articles, reviews, and discussions all about the Steam Deck and video games.

Verified or Playable games do not automatically mean they work amazing right out-of-the-box. Some of these games still require work to optimize and play well.

Baldur's Gate 3 (Playable)

Gather your party, and return to the Forgotten Realms in a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power in this next generation RPG. With online multiplayer, turn-based combat, an expansive story, and so much you can do in the world, Baldur's Gate 3 is a wonderful time. The game is $60 and rated playable due to a 3rd party launcher, on-screen keyboard use, and non-Steam Deck controller icons.

Tinykin (Verified)

Catch hundreds of tinykin and use their unique powers to bring Milo back to his home planet and back to normal size! Explore tiny cities in a giant house and meet a ranging cast of characters as you jump, grind, and hover your way through the house to get back to regular. The game is $25 on Steam.

Return to Monkey Island (Verified)

Return to Monkey Island is an unexpected, thrilling return of series creator Ron Gilbert that continues the story of the legendary adventure games. Get back into the classic point and click gameplay with old and new friends, familiar islands, and many more bizarre situations. The game is $25 on Steam.

Another World (Verified)

Another World™ chronicles the story of Lester Knight Chaykin a young scientist hurtled through space and time by a nuclear experiment that goes wrong. In an alien and inhospitable world, you will have to dodge, outwit, and overcome the host of alien monsters, while surviving an environment as deadly as your enemies. Only a perfect blend of logic and skill will get you past the deadly obstacles that lie in wait. The game is $10 on Steam.

TowerFall Ascension (Playable)

TowerFall Ascension is the definitive version of the hit archery combat game. Inspired by classics from the golden age of couch multiplayer, it's a 4-player local party game centering around hilarious, intense versus matches. The core mechanics are simple and accessible, but hard to master and combat is fierce. And with the co=op Quest mode, you can attempt to work with your friends! The game is $15 on Steam and rated playable due to showing non-Steam Deck icons.

Sunless Sea (Playable)

Sunless Sea is a Gothic Horror RPG with a focus on exploration, exquisite storytelling and frequent death. Hire your crew and explore the reaches of this haunting body of water. With beautiful hand-drawn art, real-time combat, and the ability to upgrade your steamship, what will you do to survive? The game is $19 and rated Playable due to small text, needing an on-screen keyboard, non-Steam Deck icons, and possibly needing a community controller configuration.

Reassembly (Playable)

Reassembly is a spaceship building and universe-exploration game where you collect resources, expand and grow your fleet, and conquer your personal galaxy. With procedurally generated universes, gorgeous graphics, and a user-friendly spaceship designer, this galaxy is yours for the taking. The game is $15 on Steam and rated Playable due to showing non-Steam Deck icons.

Kona (Verified)

Northern Canada, 1970. A strange blizzard ravages Atamipek Lake. Step into the shoes of a detective to explore the eerie village, investigate surreal events, and battle the elements to survive. Kona is a chilly interactive tale you won't soon forget. The game is $15 on Steam.

CHAOS;CHILD (Playable)

From the creators of the critically acclaimed STEINS;GATE comes a sensational new visual novel: CHAOS;CHILD. Set in Shibuya in 2015, a group of high school students who survived an earthquake six years ago find themselves at the center of a new series of bizarre murders in the city. The game is $35 on Steam and rated Playable due to a 3rd party launcher and non-Steam Deck controller icons.

Noble Fates (Playable)

A 3D Fantasy Kingdom Sim driven by intelligent characters with a rich simulation of opinions and memories. Build, Craft, Farm, Mine, Hunt, Defend, and more! Command from the sky or take control in third person as your story goes where the people, your actions, and their reactions take it. The game is in early access, costs $25 on Steam, and is rated Playable due to using the on-screen keyboard, possibly needing a community controller configuration, and showing non-Steam Deck icons.

Hokko Life (Verified)

Hop off the train and into your new life in the village of Hokko! Take over the old workshop and get creative; use crafted materials and design everything in town! With complete creative freedom, what type of town will you build? And don't forget the mining, fishing, and bug catching that awaits you in this Animal Crossing-like title. The game is $20 on Steam.

NBA 2K23 (Verified)

Newest Basketball game from 2K that is based on the old last-gen versions. While it is significant the newest game is verified, we do not encourage supporting this release due to the negligence of the PC port. The game is $60 on Steam.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Playable)

I mean...it is the Elder Scrolls game before Skyrim and it is damn good. It is $15 on Steam and rated Playable due to needing the on-screen keyboard, non-Steam Deck controller icons, and needing to set the resolution.

Grim Fandango Remastered (Verified)

Something's rotten in the land of the dead, and you're being played for a sucker. Meet Manny Calavera, travel agent at the Department of Death. He sells luxury packages to souls on their four-year journey to eternal rest. But there's trouble in paradise. Help Manny untangle himself from a conspiracy that threatens his very salvation. And in the remaster, you can expect some new lighting, hi-res textures, and a re-recorded score with a full orchestra! The game is $15 on Steam and has a native Linux build.

Lost Ember (Playable)

Explore the remains of a fallen world from fascinating perspectives! Slip into the role of different animals to uncover the fate of an ancient world. Dive into deep waters, fly at lofty heights, dig underground as a mole or even climb steep cliffs with a mountain goat, there are lots of ways of getting around. The game is $30 on Steam and rated Playable due to small text in-game.

From the Depths (Playable)

Over 1000 unique components allow you to build and command voxel vehicles from the deep ocean to outer space! Forge strategies, allegiances and fleets strong enough to destroy eight deadly factions of the planet and reign supreme. A genre-defying mashup of simulation, building, RTS and RPG. The game is $25 on Steam and rated Playable due to needing a community controller configuration, invoking the on-screen keyboard, and non-Steam Deck controller icons.

Borderlands GOTY Enhanced (Playable)

The first in the Borderlands series, enhanced with some of the new mechanics featured in the Borderlands 2 and Pre-Sequel games. With improved models, new weapons, character heads, and golden chest inclusion, this co-op looter shooter is a great way to start the series and way too much fun. The game is $30 on Steam and rated Playable due to a 3rd party launcher, non-Steam Deck controller icons, and needing to use the on-screen keyboard.

Unrailed! (Playable)

Unrailed! is a co-op multiplayer game where you have to work together with your friends to build a train track across endless procedurally generated worlds. Master random encounters with its inhabitants, upgrade your train and keep it from derailing! The game is $20 normally, but it is $6 on sale until October 3rd. It is rated Playable due to non-Steam Deck controller icons and small text.

Boyfriend Dungeon (Verified)

Get ready to fight and date in this dating sim mixed with an action roguelike! After moving into your cousin's apartment, you come across weapons that can transform into people. Now, you fight with them...and of course date them when you aren't fighting! The game is $20 on Steam and has a native Linux build.

Chenso Club (Verified)

Aliens are attacking! Who will save us? Chenso Club will! Using chainsaws, hammers, and the aliens’ own life force against them - these fearless warriors will pulverise enemies on their way to victory. Go solo! Go co-op! Go hack those aliens in this action-packed, side-scrolling platform brawler! The game is $15 on Steam and rated 5/5 from our SDHQ review!

And that is all for this list! Some incredible games we found and so many more we didn't list here! You can check out the highlights from last week if you want to see more like Inscrytion or Planet Zoo!