The 15 best games to play on Steam Deck

A great Steam Deck game isn’t just one that boots. It needs to run smoothly on modest hardware, read clearly on a small screen, and play nicely with a controller. Bonus points if it suits short bursts on the couch or a long session in bed.

This list leans on games that tick those boxes: pick-up-and-play roguelikes, big RPGs that don’t mind a smaller screen, and a few cosy options for when you just want to unwind. Settings tweaks can help in a few cases, but none of these ask for much fuss.

They’re ordered with the strongest handheld fits first, though honestly, you can’t go wrong anywhere on the list.

1. Hades

Every run is a tidy, thrilling chunk of action, which is exactly what a handheld loves. Combat is snappy, the controls feel made for a gamepad, and the story keeps nudging you into just one more escape attempt. Sit down for twenty minutes and you’ll probably lose an evening.

Play it if: you want something you can dip into or sink hours into with equal ease.

2. Hollow Knight

Its hand-drawn world looks lovely on a small screen, and the tight platforming and combat translate perfectly to a controller. Getting lost in its tunnels, then stumbling on a hidden shortcut, is a quiet joy. It’s a big adventure that runs without breaking a sweat.

Play it if: you enjoy exploring a mysterious world at your own pace.

3. Stardew Valley

Farming, fishing, mining and making friends all fit into bite-sized days, so it’s easy to play just one more. The pixel art is crisp on a handheld, and battery use stays gentle. It’s the sort of game you curl up with.

Play it if: you want a relaxing routine that rewards a little progress every session.

4. Vampire Survivors

Your character fires automatically, so you simply dodge and watch the screen fill with glorious chaos. Runs are short, upgrades come thick and fast, and it’s gentle on the hardware. It’s weirdly perfect for a bus ride or a waiting room.

Play it if: you love watching numbers go up and enemies melt away.

5. Elden Ring

A huge open world on a handheld is a thrill, whether you’re discovering a hidden dungeon or finally toppling a boss that’s been stopping you for days. Expect to lower some settings, but the sense of scale still comes through. It’s a big adventure you can carry around.

Play it if: you want a vast, challenging world and don’t mind tweaking settings to get it running smoothly.

6. Balatro

Poker hands become a wild puzzle of combos and twisted rules, and every run feels different. It’s easy on hardware, readable on a small screen and brilliantly suited to short sessions. Be warned that “one more round” is a dangerous phrase here.

Play it if: you like clever card games that reward experimenting.

7. Disco Elysium

This is a game made of conversations, thoughts and choices, so it suits a lap-sized screen well. Reading on a handheld feels natural, and the scrappy detective story keeps surprising you. Few games have such memorable writing.

Play it if: you’re after a story-driven RPG that’s more about words than combat.

8. Dave the Diver

By day you explore a shimmering blue hole, and by night you run a sushi restaurant. The mix of fishing, management and silly side stories keeps things fresh, and the cheerful pixel art looks great on the Deck. It’s relaxed, charming and full of small surprises.

Play it if: you like variety and a good dose of humour in your games.

9. Slay the Spire

Building a deck of cards as you climb a tower is endlessly replayable, and the touch and controller controls both feel natural on the Deck. Runs can be paused anywhere, which is handy for handheld life. Each fight is a little puzzle with a satisfying answer.

Play it if: you enjoy planning clever combos and trying new strategies.

10. Celeste

Precise platforming meets a heartfelt story about climbing a mountain, and the controls are razor sharp on a gamepad. Checkpoints are generous, so you’re never punished for long. Short screens make it ideal for quick sessions.

Play it if: you like challenges that feel fair and a story with real heart.

11. Cuphead

Boss fights in a hand-drawn 1930s cartoon style look striking on the Deck’s screen. Each fight is a short, intense test of reflexes, and beating one feels brilliant. It’s also great for shorter sessions.

Play it if: you want a tough, stylish run-and-gun that you can tackle in bursts.

12. Baldur’s Gate 3

This is a giant role-playing adventure where your choices really matter, and it can work on a handheld if you’re willing to trim the settings. Turn-based combat suits a relaxed, couch-style pace. The characters and surprises make it hard to put down.

Play it if: you want a deep, story-rich RPG and can live with some compromises on visuals.

13. Terraria

Dig, build, fight and explore in a world full of secrets. It runs easily on the Deck, and the controller layout handles the busy inventory better than you’d expect. There’s always something new to try, from a better pickaxe to a towering boss.

Play it if: you like open-ended adventures where you set your own goals.

14. Persona 5 Royal

Stylish menus, slick turn-based fights and a school-life story packed with personality make it a joy on the couch. It’s a long game, but its daily structure breaks naturally into short sessions. The music alone is worth the trip.

Play it if: you want a long, stylish role-playing game with heart and charm.

15. Risk of Rain 2

Third-person shooting meets roguelike chaos as you stack items into ridiculous builds. It plays well with a controller, and each run lasts a manageable stretch. Finding a wild combo mid-run is a real thrill.

Play it if: you like fast action where every run turns out differently.