10 incredibly fun games to play first on your Steam Deck

Valve’s Steam Deck is perfect for on-the-go players because they can enjoy their PC games anywhere on a vivid display with responsive controls. The hard part is choosing what to play because there are thousands of available titles, and not all of them work well on the handheld console. You don’t need to worry because finding compatible games is easy with our handy guide, or you can check out this list of the ten best games we recommend for the Steam Deck.

We know that there are all types of gamers out there, so we tried to add a mix of newer and older titles of all genres to appeal to everyone. Every game listed here will work well on the Steam Deck OLED, although many larger titles will require an SD card to run on the standard model because of their enormous storage requirements.

1 HellDivers 2

Teamwork and tactics to survive the alien threat

Helldivers 2 is an action-packed co-op shooter with intense battles on distant planets. The insect-like Terminids and robotic Automatons are spreading across the galaxy, and it’s up to the Helldivers to eradicate them using fluid gunplay and an assortment of weapons. This game is all about teamwork, and you’ll need to strategize your load-outs, objectives, and more to survive the hellish environments the game throws you into.

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2 Forza Horizon 5

Race around Mexico in hundreds of cars

Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best Xbox driving simulators, and you can enjoy it on the Steam Deck if you want to race against friends or take on challenges while you’re on the go. The highly-detailed open-world map of Mexico sets the tone with gorgeous deserts, jungles, and farms with realistic weather conditions to enjoy racing in all types of cars. There are over 500 to choose from, and you can upgrade them with performance parts for an edge over your competitors.

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3 Hogwarts Legacy

Earn your place at wizardry school

Hogwarts Legacy lets you live out your dreams of becoming a witch or wizard as you rise up the ranks in the famous school of magic. Build your character, and learn spells to battle magic creatures and evil wizards in a fabulous open world of mystery and wonder. The game captures the magic of the Harry Potter franchise and makes you feel like you’re a part of the universe thanks to its detailed lore and authentic locations like Hogwarts Castle and Scottish Highlands.

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4 Street Fighter 6

Take it outside

Street Fighter 6

Developer

Capcom

Genre

Fighting

Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 is a huge leap forward for the franchise thanks to the single-player World Tour mode and upgraded fighting mechanics. Players now have full energy bars for special moves from the start of the round, so fights are more aggressive and require more planning. The huge roster of fighters, including fan favorites like Ken, Blanka, and Dhalsim, and newcomers like Jamie and Manon, make it one of the best fighting games on the Steam Deck.

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5 Horizon Forbidden West

Fight mechanical beasts in post-apocalyptic Earth

Explore a post-apocalyptic Earth filled with fearsome mechanical beats and hostile tribes in Horizon Forbidden West. The game improves on the smash-hit original with more machines to fight and upgraded combat and skill-tree mechanics. Not many games can boast such stunning scenery, and you can spend hours traversing gorgeous locations with Aloy as she unravels a new mystery threatening the world.

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6 Baldur’s Gate 3

The ultimate D&D simulator

Baldur’s Gate 3

Developer

Larian Studios

Release

August 3, 2023

Genre

Adventure, RPG, Strategy

Baldur’s Gate 3 immerses you in Dungeons & Dragons with an expansive character creator, allowing you to be a Halfling Monk, Criminal Wizard, or anything else you can think of. Interacting with characters and surroundings in the Forgotten Realms offers endless possibilities, so you can play the game however you choose. The game raises the bar for RPGs with its well-written story, interesting characters, and smooth and satisfying turn-based combat, which gives it a desktop game-like authenticity.

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7 Apex Legends

Be the last one standing

Apex Legends

Developer(s)

Respawn Entertainment

Genre

First-person Battle Royale

Apex Legends stands out in the crowded Battle Royale genre with its fast-paced gameplay and no fall damage to slow things down. There’s no story or character building to worry about, and the goal is to survive the closing ring by working as a team and using the weapons and abilities at your disposal. One of the best things about the game is its fascinating roster of characters, like Bloodhound and Caustic, allowing different play styles with unique abilities.

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8 Cyberpunk 2077

Fluid action in a futuristic city

Cyberpunk 2077 redeemed itself after a disastrous launch to become a fan favorite with fluid combat and driving mechanics in the futuristic Night City. The sprawling world feels like a lived-in world, and you’ll have hours of fun upgrading your body with cybernetic enhancements to take on the various gangs and law enforcement in the game. Cyberpunk’s 2077’s world has something new to discover around the corner, and the vast character-build options allowing you to hack devices or blast your way through encounters makes for excellent replayability.

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9 Hades

Escape the underworld

Hades

Developer

Supergiant Games

Genre

Rogue-like

Rogue-like dungeon crawler Hades took the world by storm on its release with its fast-paced and addictive side-scrolling action that doesn’t let up for a second. Speed around the vibrant underworld as Zagreus, the son of Hades, and hack and slice your way through Satyr Cultists, Minotaurs, and other enemies as he tries to escape. Dying is part of the fun, and you’ll respawn in the House of Hades to interact with famous mythological figures who’ll give you missions and weapons to help you on your quest.

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10 Red Dead Redemption 2

An authentic Western experience

Red Dead Redemption 2

Developer

Rockstar Games

Genre

First-person action-adventure

Red Dead Redemption 2 takes you on a slow-burn adventure through the Wild West with Arthur Morgan as he tries to survive on the run from law enforcement as part of the Van der Linde gang. It’s a gut-wrenching story of broken trust and betrayal in which you experience the fall of the cowboy lifestyle through flawed and memorable characters. Gameplay options are unlimited, and you can visit saloons, hunt, collect bounties, or explore the vast world if you need a break from the tension.

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FAQ

Q: What’s the difference between the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED?

The regular Steam Deck has a 7-inch, 60Hz (1280 x 800) LCD display and 256GB of storage. It’s Wi-Fi 5-compatible, and its battery should last between two and eight hours, depending on the content and settings.

Newer Steam Deck OLED models have a 7.4-inch, 90Hz (1280 x 800) OLED display and between 512 and 1TB of storage. They are Wi-Fi 6E-compatible and their batteries should last between three and twelve hours.

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Q: Which Steam Deck should I buy?

The regular Steam Deck is the better option for casual gamers wanting an affordable handheld console, while the OLED models are better for serious players who want the best display to enjoy their favorite titles.