This list is here to shine a light on the best Steam Deck games that play like a dream on Valve's handheld in 2026. So if you're looking for recommendations, then you've come to the right place.
With some of the latest new games included in our top 15 selection, you'll also find some of the best games of 2025 here, too. With options across various genres, you're sure to find something to suit you. Whether you're looking for a story-driven experience, something with more action, or even a sprawling RPG, there's no shortage of options to try out.
The best Steam Deck games to play in 2026, starting with...
15. Cult of the Lamb
Developer: Massive Monster
Release: 2022
Not only is Cult of the Lamb a fantastic game to play handheld on the Steam Deck, but it also just released a massive expansion with the Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven DLC as of January 22, 2026. So really, there's no better time to pick it up if you haven't already. In this delightful action-roguelike, you play as a lamb who must kill some gods and start their own cult while they are at it. The title combines dungeon diving, randomised runs, and some addictive combat with cute base building and management elements, as you'll need to keep your cute followers alive as well as yourself during your journey.
If you are looking for a relatively relaxing roguelike, this is it. It's also a great avenue into the genre for cozy gamers as the difficulty settings are super accessible. So if you primarily use your Steam Deck for titles like Disney Dreamlight Valley and Stardew Valley but want to try something different, I'd also recommend this one to you. Trust me, this is a game for everyone, and the amount of content and love in it is worth your attention.
14. Ball x Pit
Developer: 2025
Release: Kenny Sun and Friends
2025 was a great year for the Steam Deck in terms of fun indie releases, and one of my personal favourites to release is the colorfuly tactical and very satisfying game, Ball x Pit. This is another roguelike that combines the bullet hell gameplay from the likes of Vampire Survivors with fun base-building twists and a heap of combos that had me mesmerized for hours at a time.
The premise is simple: the city of Ballbylon is destroyed, and it's up to you to gather resources and heroes as you work to rebuild it. Dive into a pit to clear waves of enemies and discover different combinations of weapons to get the job done. The amount of combos you can get, and the fact that every weapon can be fused together, keeps up the feeling that there is something new to discover with each run here. Sure, while gameplay is intuitive, as our Ball x Pit review points out, it can get repetitive and grindy. However, sometimes the grind is something you are after, especially if you're looking for a Steam Deck game to play while listening to a podcast or travelling.
13. Diablo 4
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Release: 2023
Diablo 4 is one of my and my partner's go-to games to play together, and there is something beautiful about dungeon diving and raising undead minions with my necromancer while also being side by side with my high damage-dealing Barbarian significant other. The Steam Deck's handheld quality always makes co-op experiences more fun if you both have a console, and the freedom in Diablo 4's open-world and gameplay also means there are endless things to do together.
While I personally recommend Diablo 4 for co-op, the game also runs well solo on the Deck. The game is vast, its campaign around fighting back the forces of hell is captivating, and all the world events, boss raids, and seasonal content are winners, too. You also don't need to sacrifice much on graphics, and online features are genuinely pretty fast and reliable. The amount of customisation you can do with all the classes in the game, as well, is something that keeps me coming back to the title years later. For more on this gem, read our glowing Diablo 4 review.
12. Fallout 4
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Release: 2015
You can very happily emerge from Valut 111 and set out on a rad-filled adventure across the Commonwealth very comfortably on the Steam Deck. Whether you pick all of the expansions, or you just get the base game without the extra DLC, there's so much to occupy your time with in Bethesda's post-apocalyptic open-world.
And if you want to put on your vault suit on the go, then playing it on the Steam Deck is the perfect answer. Not only does it look great on Valve's handheld, but it also runs very well. So, if you're looking for an excuse to revisit the RPG, or you're wanting to experience it for the first time, then Fallout 4 on the Steam Deck is waiting for you. See what we made of the adventure back in the day with our Fallout 4 review.
11. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Developer: LEVEL5 Inc.
Release: 2025
If you are after a new game that is Nintendo coded, then Fantasy Life i is the perfect pick. This is a cute RPG that has you playing a stranded research assistant in a fantastical world. In order to save the day, you'll need to level up multiple different jobs, called "lives", travel through time, and work through a simple yet engaging storyline.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time gripped me as much as Animal Crossing: New Horizons did when it released on the first Switch. There is a perfect balance between cute art styles, a rewarding grindy game loop, and decoration options. I often wish I could play Switch exclusives on the Steam Deck, since they typically have a very specific look and polished feel about them. This is the closest I've ever come to feeling that Nintendo magic on another system. It's a gem for sure.
10. Balatro
Developer: LocalThunk
Release: 2024
Balatro is one of the best games of 2024 and is a perfect Steam Deck addition for everyone who wants an addictive but easy-to-handle game while traveling. The game's premise is essentially roguelike poker, as you start with a standard pack of playing cards to work to gain as many points as you can as your deck expands.
It has novel game mechanics, is easy to understand, but hard to master. It's challenging, has a ton of personality, and getting all those bonuses offers up the best endorphin rush you'll experience on your handheld. Balatro is a game you'll never regret picking up and is perfect for every Steam Deck player on the go.
9. Blue Prince
Developer: Dogubomb
Release: 2025
First of all, this is the only pick on our list that isn't technically Steam Deck Verified, but it plays amazingly, so we're sneaking it into our top picks here. The Blue Prince is a slow-paced puzzle game that is a great title to relax with on the couch as you settle in to try and figure out what the heck is generally going on. You play as the heir of the eccentric Mt. Holly house. However, in order to get what is owed to you need to find your way to Room 46. However, the catch is that you only have a set number of steps per day, and the house's layout changes with each run.
As you replay the day over and over again, you'll start to pick up clues that make your next attempt easier, as well as discover secrets via puzzles and more. It's very easy to feel lost when you first load up Blue Prince; however, the more you play this game, the more captivated you'll become by its unique premise and roguelike exploration mechanics. In our Blue Prince review, we mentioned how the game "became a puzzle obsession" after we played it, and having it ready to go whenever we want on our Steam Deck only adds fuel to our burning mystery-solving fires.
8. Baldur's Gate 3
Developer: Larian Studios
Release: 2023
OK, so yes, if you are after the best graphics, Baldur's Gate 3 on the Steam Deck isn't as good as playing the game on PC. However, besides the inferior visuals, everything else about the game runs like a dream. In this turn-based RPG set in the universe of Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition, you'll embark on a grand story where your choices will lead you to either fight against or embrace an evil threatening the world. It's also worth noting that neither the Switch nor the Switch 2 has Baldur's Gate 3, so who needs Donkey Kong when you have the Forgotten Realms?
I also preferred playing on my Deck during longer gaming sessions in general. Baldur's Gate 3 is pretty much all-consuming, so at least I could sit with friends while I romanced Astarion for the millionth time. The Steam Deck controls are perfect, and the console's key binding comes in handy if you are after easy quick saves. You can read more about one of the best RPGs ever made with our Baldur's Gate 3 review.
7. Persona 5 Royal
Developer: ATLUS
Release: 2022
If you ever find yourself jealous of all the upcoming Switch 2 games, a great title that will consume all your thoughts instead is Persona 5 Royal. Persona 5 isn't just the best Persona game in the acclaimed series, but it's also one of the best JRPGs you can play today (just read our five-star Persona 5 review for more on that point). It also runs beautifully on the Steam Deck.
The game follows a high school student with a checkered past who awakens an ability to travel to another plane of reality where he can see and change the "hearts" of those around him. Embark on some dungeon crawling and turn-based combat goodness as you use "Personas" to battle shadows and uncover multiple stories dealing with some pretty heavy themes. Dungeon crawling can get a bit grindy, so playing this on your Steam Deck is a great option if you want to relax on your couch while progressing the story.
6. Stardew Valley
Developer: ConcernedApe
Release: 2016
One of the best farming games ever made also doubles up as one of the best Steam Deck games. Build up your dream farm in the charming setting of Pelican Town, where you can get married, upgrade tools, and unlock secrets sprinkled across the various maps in the game. ConcernedApe's title is an easy-going outing that is perfect for casual gamers.
The Steam Deck controls are flawless with this one, and unlike the Switch version of the game, there are achievements to unlock as well. The only reason I'd ever play Stardew Valley on my PC over my Deck now is for modding purposes. While technically doable on Valve's handheld, it's complicated to get all my favorite Stardew mods up and running. In all honesty, I can live without them, though, so I'd still recommend picking up this masterpiece if you own the handheld.
5. Hades 2
Developer: Supergiant Games
Release: 2025
Hades 2 officially launched out of Early Access, and it runs like a dream on the Steam Deck. Following the heights of the godly 2020 roguelike, Super Giant's follow-up is a more than worthy successor that succeeds at being just as engaging as the first game. Bringing to life a rich cast of characters steeped in Greek myth, you'll take on the role of Melinoë as you battle to take on the might of the Titan of Time.
Packed full of action, dungeon-crawling goodness, and engrossing storytelling, the sequel expands the world of the first and sees you go from the Underworld to Mount Olympus. Every run brings with it new challenges, locations, and stories to uncover. And if you're looking for something you can keep picking up and playing on the Steam Deck, then this is a fantastic option. For more, check out our Hades 2 review.
4. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Developer(s): Bethesda Game Studios, Virtuos
Release: 2025
While I could have put Skyrim on this list, I'll be honest, I'm a bigger Oblivion fan, and the remastered version of the game that was released in 2025 has been raking up silly hours of playtime on my Deck. Set in Cyrodiil, you play as a nameless prisoner who eventually works their way up to hero status as you start facing off against the forces of Oblivion. Explore the world, join factions, and do side quests to level up your reputation.
There is something super comforting about playing the best open-world games on a handheld that any Switch player with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in their library can understand. Exploring and jumping into side quests can be a meditative experience that is enhanced by lying in bed while you picklock and slay opponents in the arena. Oblivion is one of the best games ever made, and is a great pick-up for anyone with a Steam Deck who is looking to distract themselves from Switch 2 news.
3. Dispatch
Developer: Adhoc
Release: 2025
If you enjoy story-driven narrative experiences, you can't go wrong with Dispatch. The superhero comedy sees you take on the role of Robert Robertson, who trades in their heroic suit of armor for an office gig dispatches a ragtag group of ex-supervillains perform varying acts of heroism.
As well as including an element of strategy as you juggle work days sending out your team, you'll also make choices that will shape the direction of the story, as well as Robert's relationship with other characters. If you enjoy Telltale games, you'll absolutely love this, and it really is a match made in heaven for Valve's handheld. To learn more, check out our Dispatch review.
2. Final Fantasy 7 remake Intergrade
Developer: Square Enix
Release: 2022
I'll be honest, I had never played a Final Fantasy game until I picked up the Final Fantasy 7 Remake once I saw that it was Steam Deck Verified, and boy howdy, I now totally understand why this series is so beloved. The story follows the giant sword-carrying mercenary Cloud Strife, after he joins an eco-terrorist group trying to stop the corporation Shinra from using up all the earth's essence.
The game uses real-time combat mechanics, making each fight feel dynamic and fast-paced. The story is also gripping, and I easily became attached to Cloud and all his companions. However, the big takeaway is that the Final Fantasy 7 remake is easily one of the best-looking games on Deck, period. I've never played a game that looked so crisp and realistic on the Steam Deck before, and was shocked to see Cloud's sweaty forehead in high definition during cutscenes. For more information, you can read our Final Fantasy 7 Remake review!
1. Vampire Survivors
Developer: poncle
Release: 2022
Vampire Survivors was the first game I picked up when I first got my Steam Deck, and to this day, it's still my go-to title when I'm not sure what to play. The 2022 action rogue-like is perfect to play on a handled for any kind of occasion. Only have an hour to spare while travelling? Want to spend the whole day slaughtering monsters? Well, this vampire slaying masterpiece has got you covered.
Slash down enemies to collect gems, walk out of damage's way, and try to level up your weapons as you unlock more on your quest to become an unstoppable powerhouse. The game led to a surge of other "bullet heaven" titles when it first came out; however, none hit as good as Vampire Survivors. Evolving your weapons to the point where your screen is just filled with combos and gems, as your aura instantly kills enemies, is uber satisfying. And with a plethora of in-game unlocks and DLC available, every run feels rewarding as it brings you closer to completing 100% of the game.
Honorable mentions
There are so many amazing Steam Deck games that just fell short of making my top 15 picks. So, I've listed a few more options below in case you are looking for even more titles to help fight off those Switch 2 blues!
- Dave the Diver
- Dead Cells
- Hollow Knight
- Slay the Spire
- Elden Ring
- Split Fiction
- Hotline Miami
- Dredge
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best Steam games. Or for more Deck info, you can read our Steam Deck OLED review.
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