I’ve had my Steam Deck for just over a year now and it’s fair to say that this comically large handheld has quickly cemented itself as my favourite console of all time. Not a small statement to make when the PS2 is also a console that exists.
I mean, come on, look at this thing. Can you blame me? Not only does it let you access the majority of your Steam library on the go, but its flexible OS also allows you to play games from multiple other platforms too. It even feels more comfortable to hold compared to other modern handhelds such as the Nintendo Switch.
But with over 10,000 officially verified games available to play on the Gabe Gear, it can be tough to decide what to start next. Vampire Survivors? Elden Ring? Painkiller? Dead Rising? Katamari? Katamari is probably the right answer, actually. Go play Katamari.
So, whether you’ve just unboxed your brand Steam Deck or are a longtime owner looking for something new to play, you’re in the right place.
Just a quick disclaimer before we start, there are an incomprehensible amount of games classed as playable on the Steam Deck. So many. A lifetime’s worth of games. That means that this list is not definitive. Consider it instead to be a curated list of 12 essential titles that demonstrate the Steam Decks' portable capabilities. None of these games are in any particular order, and I would personally love to know your favourite Steam Deck games, so make sure to let me know in the comments below.
