Valve’s Steam Deck has been met with positive criticism from the gaming crowd. Not only did Valve produce a portable gaming computer, but it’s also one that can be used for a wide range of tasks. We’re going to be focussing on the gaming aspect of the Deck. It’s important to remember that as powerful as the Deck is compared to other handheld devices, there is some limitations to its hardware that means that it won’t be able to perform nearly as well as a dedicated gaming rig

There are a handful of games, however, that work extremely well on the Deck. These are some of the very best titles in the Steam ecosystem and being able to run them on well on something as portable as the Steam Deck means that mobile gaming has entered into an entirely new phase.

1. Hades

Hades has been a fan favourite for the last few years, and it’s the perfect game for those players that like a challenge. Named as Game of The Year in 2020, Hades has gained something of a cult following. The storyline combined with the game play makes it fairly unique, which is quite the feat considering how many games are being offered on Steam.

It’s one of the very best games to run on the Deck thanks to the fact that the device comes with thumb sticks. On top of that, the nifty pause function offered by the Deck means that a player can play for a bit, take a break, and then jump right back into the action when they have the time again.

2. Stray

Stray is a deceptive game in that it first seems like nothing more than a cat simulator, but there’s actually a lot to love about the game. Not only does it offer awesome puzzles for the player to solve, but the world building is top notch. Due to the way in which the player controls the cat throughout the environment, the Deck’s setup is just right, offering fluid control over the main character as they traverse Stray’s unique world.

While the game is best played on a powerful gaming rig, players can still enjoy Stray at a relatively decent FPS, especially if they don’t aim for high graphics settings. If it’s not working well, always keep in mind that the Deck can also double as a portable computer, perfect for checking emails, browsing online, checking the latest NZ horse racing betting tips, and so much more.

3. Elden Ring

There are few games that have made big waves recently quite like Elden Ring, the latest title from FromSoftware. Similar to the Souls series, Elden Ring puts the player into a harsh and dangerous world where death lurks in every corner.

Although it’s one of the most graphically intensive games of recent memory, Elden Ring works extremely well on the Steam Deck. The controls are fast and intuitive, the FPS is decent, and it’s clearly a game that works best with a console-like control setup.