The Top 20 Steam Deck Games of 2025

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There were so many amazing games that were released this year, and it's pretty overwhelming. It felt like there was at least one game each week that was huge, and as a gamer, it felt like there was always something to play. Now, with the year almost over, I wanted to take a look back and talk about some of my favorite games on the Steam Deck. So, here are our top 20 games on the Steam Deck from this year.

As a little disclaimer, this list is based on both the game's quality and Steam Deck compatibility. Every game listed here is one that is playable and enjoyable on the Steam Deck. This list is also based on our opinion from our time playing the games from this year.

20. Ninja Gaiden 4 (SDHQ Review)

I fully expected Ninja Gaiden 4 to not be playable on the Steam Deck, knowing the kind of intense experience we were getting into, but here we are, and it's actually playable. It is one of my favorite action games this year, bringing the intense, gory combat, a new character to play as, and an entertaining story, together with a glorious visual spectacle. It does need to stick to 30 FPS, but it looks decent and is playable, which is more than I expected.

I had so much fun playing Ninja Gaiden 4, and I think it's a fantastic game. However, performance on the Steam Deck does require a lot of compromise, and while I would still consider it playable, it borders on unplayable.

19. The Alters (SDHQ Review)

Despite some compromises to run on the Steam Deck, I fell in love with The Alters. The gameplay loop involves deciding how to manage each day and gathering enough materials to stave off death and move the story along. It's a fantastic loop with a strange, yet satisfying angle of using clones to make it all happen. Couple that with great voice acting and playable performance on the Steam Deck, and we get an experience worth taking on the go.

I love The Alters as a game, and it's better on the Steam Deck than I expected, but it still requires a decent amount of compromise. It's enough to make the game a better-looking experience on a more powerful PC, but it's still very playable here.

18. DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS (SDHQ Review)

The Warriors games have always been my guilty pleasure for gaming, and Dynasty Warriors: Origins took it to another level. While the button-mashing gameplay of 1 vs 1000 is still here, it has more RPG-focused elements like its story, progression, and nameless hero that work better than I expected. There's also a bit more depth into the combat, and pairing it with the Steam Deck makes it a great way to grind on the go.

I will admit, I do really like the Warriors series, but Origins felt like a step up from the usual. It's a load of fun, and despite the compromises needed, it sticks strong at 30 FPS while still looking good.

17. Sonic X Shadow Generations (SDHQ Review)

I loved Sonic Generations when it came out, so having an updated version with extra content that actually works on the Steam Deck was high on my list of games I was excited to play again. Sonic X Shadow Generations makes it so the main game is fully playable, hitting an easy 60 FPS on the Deck, while the new Shadow content is able to keep to 40 FPS. It does have updated visuals over the main game, which is why it is more intensive, but it’s still very playable on the go.

I know this is a remaster with new content, but the game is just so good and runs like a charm on the Steam Deck. It's hard not to love this version of the game.

16. Silent Hill f (SDHQ Review)

Silent Hill f is the other horror game I had been looking forward to this year, apart from Cronos, and it's great as well. It does feel more action-based than other Silent Hill games, but the story itself is a treat. You play as Hinako, who has to run through town, confronting her own demons, while also battling monsters. It's also surprising how playable it is on the Steam Deck, and I had a blast playing through it on the go.

I loved playing through Silent Hill f on the Deck, and I was honestly shocked by how good it was. I do wish the game were less combat-heavy, but with some minor changes, the visuals were good with a solid 30 FPS.

15. SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance (SDHQ Review)

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance was a joy to play through. It captured me with its gorgeous art style and action-packed combat that relied on combos to whittle down enemy health and kill them. Combat in general is quite engaging and detailed, and while I wasn't always happy with the progression system, it didn't slow down my enjoyment of the experience. It's also perfect to play on the Steam Deck, so no complaints there!

I really enjoy SHINOBI, and it's a fantastic platformer. It runs like a charm on the Steam Deck with a great combat system that makes combos feel so much fun to actually use.

14. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (SDHQ Review)

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound fulfilled what I wanted to see in an action side-scroller when I got my hands on it. Instead of focusing on detailed combat mechanics, we only hit enemies once for them to die. I am not a fan of bullet-sponge enemies, so this was a treat. It also has glorious pixel artwork, amazing animations, great level design, and perfect Steam Deck performance.

This is another great platformer, and it runs extremely well on the Steam Deck. It gives a very similar feeling to SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, but I prefer this kind of combat, where one strike can kill an enemy.

13. Gears of War: Reloaded (SDHQ Review)

The remaster for Gears of War was a great way to get back into the series, while bringing it to Steam. It doesn't have a ton of new features, and looks pretty close to the Ultimate Edition on Xbox Game Pass, but it brings back multiplayer, updates its visuals a little bit, and comes with fantastic support for the Steam Deck, making it easy to play at 60 FPS.

Even though this is a re-release of quite an old game, I had a lot of fun getting back into it and playing on the Steam Deck, which was a treat. I still wish it did a little more, and there are some parts in the story that can drop below 60 FPS, but it's still wonderful.

12. Warriors: Abyss (SDHQ Review)

I love the Dynasty Warrior games, and turning it into a roguelike was a fantastic move. Warriors: Abyss has you choose a character and battle through stages to earn buffs and get stronger throughout each run. You can unlock new permanent buffs, characters, and more to keep coming back. It also runs perfectly on the Steam Deck, so I would say it's worth it for a multitude of reasons.

Roguelikes feel right at home on the Deck, and combining Warriors gameplay with a roguelike format worked so well. It does get a little monotonous the longer you play, but it's still great enough for me to keep coming back.

11. Split Fiction

I love playing co-op games, and Split Fiction is another great one from developer Hazelight Studios. While the story is decent, it's the gameplay that is just amazing. There are tons of different environments to run through and obstacles to overcome with your partner, who you can see via the vertical split screen. It does have some compromises to run on the Steam Deck, but it's still very playable and a joy to experience when lying in bed next to your partner.

Split Fiction is such a fun game, and I had a great time playing it with my wife. It isn't a solid 60 FPS on the Deck, but it is still playable and looks solid, too.

10. Dragon Quest 1&2 HD-2D Remake (SDHQ Review)

I loved Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake on the Steam Deck, so I was bound to enjoy Dragon Quest 1&2's HD-2D Remake as well. And I did. It's two games packed into one, and they offer decently differing experiences that make them feel different, yet similar at the same time. However, the story from 1 continues into 2, making it worthwhile to play them both. And of course, it's just a treat on the Steam Deck, so there are no complaints there!

Playing through JRPGs feels right at home on portable devices, and Dragon Quest 1&2 were two of my favorites to enjoy this year on the Steam Deck. The OLED screen makes the HD-2D style look outstanding, and I think this is a great game to invest time into when playing on the go.

9. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (SDHQ Review)

I love Mario Kart, and I have always wanted something like it for the Steam Deck. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was that game for me. While it isn't exactly the same, it has some unique features that help it stand out, such as its cast of racers, customizable options that affect your car, and mid-race stage changes. It's a lot of fun and can easily hit 60 FPS on Steam Deck with good visuals, so it's a great option on the go.

I was pleasantly surprised with how well Sonic Racing runs and looks on the Steam Deck. 60 FPS with near max visuals in a racing game where performance/framerate is going to be necessary is just great, and with how enjoyable the gameplay is, it's hard to deny just how great it is to play on the go.

8. The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- (SDHQ Review)

Danganronpa was one of my favorite detective-esque visual novels, so I was immediately in when the same team behind the game was making a new one with combat. The Hundred Line is a fantastic experience with one of my favorite stories in a video game I played this year. The combat is a lot of fun, and it has some Persona-esque progression elements to it. However, with how great it runs on the Steam Deck, it's hard not to recommend playing it on the go.

Every time I think about The Hundred Line, it makes me wish it were discussed more. The artwork is fantastic, the characters are memorable, the story is engaging, and there are so many branches that will all give little pieces of information to give us the full story. And with it running flawlessly on the Steam Deck at 60 FPS, it's an easy recommendation.

7. Cronos: The New Dawn (SDHQ Review)

I had been looking forward to Cronos: The New Dawn ever since Bloober Team announced it, and it absolutely lived up to it. You are trying to figure out the origins of what caused the apocalypse and destroyed human civilization, while also needing to fight monsters that can transform into dead bodies of other monsters. I was shocked by how playable it is on the Steam Deck, hitting 30 FPS without issue on the lowest settings, while still looking great.

I was so surprised with Cronos, not just because it fulfilled my desire for another game like Dead Space, but also because it was actually very playable on the Steam Deck. Despite needing some visual compromises, like the blue light effect on faraway objects, it still holds up as a solid portable game that I can happily recommend playing on.

6. Dispatch (SDHQ Review)

As far as visual novel-esque games go, Dispatch is quite possibly one of the best. You are a retired superhero who becomes a dispatch officer to send out heroes to take on different emergencies. It does have some actual gameplay to it, but the majority will be focused on the visual novel-like story and choices you make, which is great because the story is just fantastic. This also makes it near-perfect to play on the Steam Deck, and that's never a bad thing.

I expected Dispatch to have a great story, but I never expected it to be as good as it is. It combines humor with an intriguing tale effortlessly, has some fantastic voice talent, decent gameplay, and runs perfectly on the Steam Deck.

5. FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Fantasy Life i was one of the games this year that snuck up on me and I ended up falling in love with. It's a gorgeous and fun JRPG where you will shape your own island to your liking. There are 14 different jobs you can pick up, all with their own progression, and you will ultimately end up fishing, cooking, fighting, and much more to progress. It's a great game to play, especially on the Steam Deck, and it's definitely worth the time investment.

I was actually a little late to the party for Fantasy Life i, but I am glad I got there. I had so much fun playing it, and as a JRPG fan who loves grinding, customization, and solid Steam Deck performance, this had a lot to offer in a perfectly portable package.

4. Bionic Bay (SDHQ Review)

I feel like when games release towards the beginning of the year, they aren't talked about as much unless they perform extremely well. In Bionic Bay's case, it was released about a week before Clair Obscur launched, which pretty quickly overshadowed it. Still, Bionic Bay is one of the best platformers I have ever played. I love the physics-based nature, cool powers, and beautiful visuals, while also enjoying its great performance on the Steam Deck.

I was blown away by Bionic Bay when it was released, and I feel it still holds strong today. It's one of my favorite platformers for a good reason, and with how well it runs on the Steam Deck, it's hard not to consider this an essential for your portable library.

3. Blue Prince (SDHQ Review)

Blue Prince wowed me when I first saw it at GDC, and I was enamored with it as soon as I got my hands on it. It takes a roguelike format, but has puzzle elements with riddles in almost every room, making you carefully plan out and think about how you want to build your layout to get to the elusive 45th room of the mansion. And with how perfect it feels for the Steam Deck, this is an easy recommendation that I wouldn’t pass on.

This game felt like something special. I had never put together a roguelike in this way, and I loved it. The puzzles were engaging and thought-provoking, while the gameplay was intuitive and entertaining. It was hard to stop playing, and it is a game I can recommend to everyone and anyone who owns a Steam Deck.

2. Megabonk

Megabonk is the second game that dominated my free time, and it's just fantastic. This combines gameplay elements of both Vampire Survivors and Risk of Rain 2 to create this weird, yet addictive experience with a good chunk of content that feels impossible to put down. I love the game, and with how wonderfully it runs on the Steam Deck, this is one you will need to add to your library.

Megabonk is easily the game I played the most on the Steam Deck, and it was one of my favorites of the entire year. It had enough differences as a roguelike to keep me interested, while also having similar mechanics that felt familiar.

1. BALL x PIT (SDHQ Review)

There were two games that, when released, dominated my free time when I wasn't reviewing games. BALL x PIT was the first of them. Combining mechanics from Brick Breaker and Galaga, while adding interesting roguelike elements and slight city management, created an incredible mix of gameplay that was hard to put down. It feels like the perfect fit for the Steam Deck, and with how well it performs, it most definitely is.

I gave a lot of thought as to which game should be number 1 on this list, and it ultimately came down to uniqueness, which BALL x PIT has in droves. I fell in love with its gameplay, both the roguelike ball flinging and town management, and it is hands-down my favorite game of this year.

And those are our top 20 Steam Deck games from 2025. This has been such an amazing year filled with so many great games that it was so hard to choose. Still, these are my favorites of the year, and each one of them is worth checking out.

Let us know what your favorite game of 2025 is in the comments below!

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