For decades, Nintendo has had an iron grip on the handheld gaming market. While there have been competitors from Sega and Sony over the years, few have matched the lofty heights of the Game Boy,the Nintendo DS, and the Nintendo Switch, but Valve’sSteam Deckhas truly given Nintendo a run for its money.
Valve’sSteam Deckisn’t the first portable PC, but it is one of the most accessible. Players simply need to boot up the Steam Deck, log into their Steam account, and their entire Steam library will be waiting for them, ready to download and take on the go. Of course, some games run much better on the handheld than others, and this year saw a bevy of excellent, well-performing games hit the Steam Deck. These ten not only run well but are excellent games in their own right(listed below in alphabetical order).
Balatro
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One of the most renowned indie games of 2024,Balatrois a poker-inspired roguelike deck-builder that’s been heavily praised for its addictive gameplay loop and its stylish presentation.Balatro’s addictive loop goes hand-in-hand with the Steam Deck, with the console’s handheld nature encouraging players to pick up and play just one more round.Balatrohas also been nominated in theSteam Awards' Best Game on Steam Deckcategory.
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Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big.The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds. Earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks as you progress. You’re going to need every edge you may get in order to reach the boss blind, beat the final ante and secure victory
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Check Out Game Rant’sDragon Age: The Veilguard Review
There’s no denying thatDragon Age: The Veilguardruns surprisingly well on the Steam Deck. Sprawling multi-hour RPGs and the Steam Deck are usually a match made in heaven, and that’s the case again here. From creating a unique Rook in the character creator and exploring the world of Thedas to completing companion quests and completing the main story,Dragon Age: The Veilguardis a meaty RPG, and pairing this adventure with a Steam Deck for on the go gameplay is many-a-fan’s dream come true.
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you can’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
Fields of Mistria
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Fields of Mistriahas often been described as a morerefined version ofStardew Valley. WhereStardew Valleyfocuses on in-depth farming and life-sim mechanics,Fields of Mistriaoffers a more accessible farming adventure with a sprinkling of RPG mechanics, which an impressive amount of content for an Early Access title.Fields of Mistriais designed to be played for a few hours at a time, with players being able to complete their in-game chores and further their relationships with the townsfolk in quick bursts. This makesFields of Mistriaan ideal game for the Steam Deck.
Get ready to begin a brand-new life in a world that’s brimming with possibilities!Mistria, an idyllic village tucked between forest and sea, has offered you an overgrown but full-of-potential homestead in exchange for your assistance. Restore the town to its former glory after an earthquake wreaks havoc and strange magic begins to flow through the land.In this spiritual successor to the Farm-Sim RPGs of the late 90s & onward, build the farm of your dreams as you discover magic, romance, and adventure!Game Features:Customize your character , home and farm to suit your style!Farm, Fish, Mine & Craft your way to a revitalized townFind your ideal match with one of 12 marriage candidatesNote: Heart progression past 6 hearts and Marriage itself will be added via future updates.Raise adorable animals & breed rare color variantsUnlock magic that will aid you during farming & adventuringEnjoy the changing seasons with new quests, festivals, and even villager outfits!Get to know 30+ villagers and follow their storiesBattle foes and discover treasures as you explore ancient ruinsAnd so much more!
God of War Ragnarok
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Much like its 2018 predecessor,God of War Ragnarokreceived unanimous praise across the board, delivering another emotive, thematically rich story alongside a wealth of gameplay improvements and new features. There’s really nothing else that needs to be said; theGod of Warfranchise speaks for itself. As such, there was a lot of hype around this game this year.God of War Ragnarokcame to Steamback in September, and its Verified status makes it one of the most impressive Steam Deck games to date.
Embark on an epic and heartfelt journey as Kratos and Atreus struggle with holding on and letting goFrom Santa Monica Studio comes the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018). Fimbulwinter is well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Asgardian forces prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world. Along the way they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. The threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer. Kratos and Atreus must choose between their own safety and the safety of the realms.
Hades 2
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Hades 2wowed both fans and critics alike when it shadow-dropped in Early Access back in May. Developer Supergiant Games' only direct follow-up,Hades 2delivers everything fans could have ever wanted from a sequel, and it isn’t even finished yet. More weapons, more mythological characters, enemies, and bosses, and another riveting story are all present inHades 2. Much likeBalatro,Hades 2’s roguelike naturemakes it ideal for short bursts of gameplay on the Steam Deck, and it’s already secured itself a Verified rating.
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLDAs the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERYInfuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSMeet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURENew locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITYThanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience whatHades IIhas to offer. But if you happen to be one, you can brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
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From the same studio behind2019’sSayonara Wild Hearts,Lorelei and the Laser Eyesis a puzzle game that oozes atmosphere. Summoned to a seemingly abandoned hotel, players must unravel a mystery through a series of non-linear puzzles.Lorelei and the Laser Eyesfeels likeProfessor LaytonmeetingResident Evil. The brevity but engaging nature ofLorelei and the Laser Eyes' puzzles make it a great fit for the Steam Deck.
Do you remember the maze?A woman, summoned by an eccentric man to participate in a project in an old hotel somewhere in central Europe, becomes embroiled in a game of illusions, increasingly dangerous and surreal.Now you are invited to fall into the same rabbit hole, in a non-linear mystery with an immense amount of handcrafted puzzles, constantly presenting you with new riddles to solve, each leading you closer to deciphering the enigma of Lorelei and the Laser Eyes.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
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Though it technically only has a “Playable” compatibility rating on Steam,Metaphor: ReFantaziocan run surprisingly well on the Steam Deck after just a few minutes of tweaking its in-game settings. Much likeDragon Age: The Veilguard,Metaphor: ReFantazio’s sprawling RPG structure feels tailor-made for a handheld console like the Steam Deck, where players can hop in and progress the story through regular, bite-sized increments. AndMetaphor: ReFantazio’s storyis one certainly worth playing through, with it having just won the Best Narrative category at the Game Awards 2024, along with Best RPG and Best Art Direction.
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.Control your destiny, face your fears, and awaken magical Archetype powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an Archetype, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.
Nine Sols
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One of 2024’s hidden indie gems,Nine Solsis a great 2D Metroidvania with satisfying combat heavilyinspired by FromSoftware’sSekiro: Shadows Die Twice. In the player’s quest to slay the titular bosses, they’ll journey across a vivid Taopunk setting, complete with lively allies, even livelier adversaries, and plenty of opportunities to learn more about this lore-rich Sci-Fi world. The Steam Deck has always been a haven for indie games, andNine Solsis worth checking out for any owners looking to play an engrossing FromSoft-inspired Metroidvania.
Nine Sols is a lore rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired deflection focused combat. Embark on a journey of Asian fantasy, explore the land once home to an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm.StoryIn New Kunlun, hero Yi has awakened the 9 rulers of this forsaken realm. To defeat the 9 Sols in the deserted city.“Becomes one with the way of Tao…”New Kunlun, the Solarian’s last sanctuary, has remained quiet for centuries. Inside this vast realm, the ancient gods left mortals with a promised land that is forever protected by the sacred rituals, yet the truth of this world remains unknown to most. Everything changes when Yi, a long forgotten hero from the past, is awoken by a human child.Follow Yi on his vengeful quest against the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm, and obliterate any obstacles blocking your way in Sekiro-lite style combat. Explore in unique “Taopunk” setting that blends cyberpunk elements with Taoism and far eastern mythology. Unravel the mysteries of an ancient alien race and learn about the fate of mankind.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
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Another2D Metroidvania,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownbrought the franchise back from the dead earlier this year, and it was quite the triumphant return. Vibrant visuals, fast-paced combat, fluid platforming mechanics, and some surprisingly challenging environmental puzzles that combined all the game’s strengths setPrince of Persia: The Lost Crownapart from the middling series entries that came before it. Though it was initially only available on Ubisoft’s PC platform,Prince of Persia: The Lost Crownhas since come to Steam, where it received a Verified rating for Steam Deck compatibility.
Dash into a stylish and thrilling action-adventure platformer set in a mythological Persian world where the boundaries of time and space are yours to manipulate. Play as Sargon and evolve from sword-wielding prodigy to extraordinary legend as you master acrobatic combat and unlock new Time Powers and unique super abilities.UNLEASH YOUR INNER WARRIORUse your Time Powers, combat, and platforming skills to perform deadly combos and defeat time-corrupted enemies and mythological creatures.LOSE YOURSELF IN THE PRODIGIOUS MOUNT QAFDiscover a cursed Persian-inspired world filled with larger-than-life landmarks and explore a variety of highly detailed biomes, each with their own identity, wonder, and danger.LIVE AN EPIC ADVENTUREImmerse yourself in a Persian mythological fantasy through an intriguing and original story as you use your wits to solve puzzles, find hidden treasures, and complete quests to learn more about this corrupted place.
UFO 50
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Another indie gem this year,UFO 50is an incredibly ambitious project fromSpelunkydeveloper Mossmouth, delivering 50 individual, full-length video games in one package.UFO 50tells the story of the fictional game company UFO Soft, detailing its life in a collection of games released by the fictional company from the years 1982-1989. As such, each ofUFO 50’s games authentically replicates the look, feel, and sound of NES and SNES-era video games.UFO 50’s library runs the gamut of genres, many of which are perfectly suited to the Steam Deck’s handheld nature.
UFO 50 is a collection of 50 single and multiplayer games from the creators of Spelunky, Downwell, and Catacomb Kids. Explore a variety of genres, from platformers and shoot ‘em ups to puzzle games, roguelites, and RPGs. Our goal is to combine a familiar 8-bit aesthetic with new ideas and modern game design.50 BRAND NEW GAMES- These are NOT minigames or microgames! Although the size of each game varies, every one is a complete experience, from its opening title screen to its ending credits. Some are small arcade-style games but there are also larger open-world adventures and a JRPG that could take many hours to beat.AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE- According to the story of UFO 50, the games were all created by a fictional 80s video game company that was obscure but ahead of its time. Some games are sequels to other games in the collection and various characters appear in multiple titles as part of a shared continuity.AN INSTANT LIBRARY- All 50 games are available to play at the start! The concept was inspired by multicarts, retro collections, and the experience of going to a friend’s house and perusing their game library. Jump in and out of games at a whim - exploring the collection is part of the fun!AUTHENTIC BUT ALSO MODERN- We carefully chose what elements to modernize. Every game shares a unique 32-color palette and we took great efforts to make them look and sound like actual 8-bit titles from the 80s. On the other hand, it was important to us that UFO 50 was fun and surprising for modern players, so we chose not to limit ourselves to the genres and design conventions of the past.VERSUS AND CO-OP PLAY- Half of the collection features local multiplayer, including co-op and versus. You can compete head-to-head in a new fighting or strategy game… or team up to beat a classic arcade game from an alternate timeline. It’s great for groups!
