TheSteam Deckdoes quite a few things, essentially having the power of a PS4 within the form factor of the Switch. While most people tend to use it for emulators and the like, it’s even better if you want to use it to play a ton of the best indies ever made, almost all of which run perfectly.
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In this list, I’ll pick out ten indies that work perfectly on the Steam Deck and offer a better experience than any other handheld.
I’ll mostly compare them to the Switch version if they have one, but bonus points if the only way to play them portably is a handheld PC like the Steam Deck.
10Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire
Slay the Spireisthe definitive roguelike deckbuilder, and as with any card game, selecting stuff with standard console controls feels very awkward.
This is where the Steam Deck’s trackpads come into play, letting you emulate the keyboard and mouse experience, or swap back to the standard gamepad if you want.
You’ve also got a decent modding scene that’s accessible through the Steam Workshop, and it runs well, but that’s a given.
It feels way comfier to play this here than on Switch, especially compared to struggling through playing it on a phone. I’d say give it a go, especially if you haven’t played it before.
9Cassette Beasts
Pokémon, Kind Of
Cassette Beasts
Cassette Beasts is an awesome take on the monster-catching RPGformula that Pokémon never seemed to run with, and it’s absolutely best on Deck.
You’ve got built-in modding support, and the game will run well and look great, which can’t be said for the other handheld versions.
It hasn’t got the biggest modding scene out there, but there are a few highlights that are worth giving a shot.
As long as you’re at least interested in the concept of what Pokémon could be, I think Cassette Beasts is an easy recommendation, and playing it on the Deck is great.
8Rivals of Aether 2
PC-Exclusive Fighting Fun
Rivals of Aether II
If you’re feeling a little tired of Smash Bros. after 6 years of playing Ultimate, thenRivals of Aether2 is easily the best non-Nintendo platform fighter out there.
It’s a PC-exclusive game currently, but it runs incredibly well on the Steam Deck, and having it portably for labbing or getting 50 ping online is always great.
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It’s got a budding modding scene, and considering it’s still pretty new, there will probably be quite a few great mods in the future.
If you’re a fan of fighting games and want a great one to play on the go, then Rivals 2 is fantastic,and a great divergence from the formulathat Smash setup.
7Hollow Knight
Less Lag, More Fun
Hollow Knight (Dupe)
One of the best modern Metroidvanias of the modern day isHollow Knight, and while the Switch port is fine, it does have a fair bit of input lag.
The Steam Deck will reduce that lag by a few frames and allow you to get mods set up rather easily, including the incredibly fun Randomizer.
It’s a great game to play on the go, and especially nice with the back buttons providing more convenient places to put the map, dash, etc.
I especially enjoy doing randomizer runs whenever, and exploring Hallownest, folding to the Pantheons,and optimizing my Charmsare all a great time.
6Slime Rancher 2
Hoarding Goopy Creatures
Slime Rancher 2
Given the original Slime Rancher ran like garbage on the Switch, I doubt we’ll ever seeSlime Rancher 2come over, so if you want to play the sequel wherever, the Deck is your best option.
It’s a pretty expanded version of the original’s core gameplay, having you scavenge a massive map and bring back slimes to corrals for profit.
It also looks absolutely beautiful, and the Deck can handle it on medium to high settings with no real problem. I also enjoy using the trackpad and gyro for camera control, as it is usually the best option for any first-person shooter.
It’s just fun to commit capitalism on the go, especially with the game looking as pretty as it does.
5Lethal Company
Watch Your Friends Perish
If you’re not living under a rock, you’ve probably already heard ofLethal Company, and it works wonderfully on Deck.
I once again recommend having the camera controls on the trackpad, though Gyro is less necessary for a game where you’re usually not aiming at anything.
It’s especially nice that the Steam Deck has a built-in microphone for this game; just make sure to wear headphonesso your friends don’t hate you.
You can also get R2ModMan set up, since everyone plays this game modded, and it makes running from the horrors with scrap in hand that much more fun.
4Risk of Rain 2
What the Gup?
Risk of Rain 2
Risk of Rain 2is an awesome roguelike shooter where you progress through stages and kill enemies for money and items, and it’s easily best on PC.
The console versions are historically buggy, unpolished and recentlyhave gone as far as deleting your save datafor plugging in a second controller.
That means if you want to play Risk of Rain 2 on the go, the Steam Deck is your best option, especially because the back buttons, trackpad and gyro aim make the controls feel way nicer.
Just like Lethal Company, you can very easily set up R2ModMan to get mods up and going on the Deck, and it’s always a great time.
Gambling on the Go
Balatro is one of those gamesthat half the internet got obsessed withrecently, and for good reason, as it’s a poker roguelike with an entrancing soundtrack and perfected gameplay.
It’s just really fun to get a run going, and I think the trackpad gives it that Microsoft Solitaire-type control scheme that I love.
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On top of the controls, playing on Deck gives you access to mods, which can add some unique jokers, change up the look of the cards, and more.
It’s great no matter where you’re playing it, but there’s a reason I went into a several hours-long trance playing this game for the first time on my Steam Deck at 6 am.
2Stardew Valley
Farming at Max Efficiency
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valleyis one of a few games I hate playing on a controller as opposed to a keyboard and mouse, but the Steam Deck makes for a nice compromise.
The trackpad makes watering and planting crops much nicer, and you may still use the standard gamepad controls for combat.
On top of that, you can play someawesome mods like SDV Expanded, which makes this my favorite way to play the game.
The mod loader is handily built to run on Linux, and that, plus how nice it feels to farm, forage, and fight stuff, make this a way better way to play on the go than your phone.
Mining and Crafting, but Awesome
Terrariais the other main game I hate playing on controller, but the Steam Deck’s controller is the only exception to that rule.
It feels great to aim with the trackpad, and map the back buttons to stuff like healing, and even with a bunch of mods, you’ll get a consistent 60 and have enough buttons for every action.
It’s cool enough to have a version of Terraria that’s portable and feels good to play, but being able to add on Calamity to that is even better.
TModLoader makes mods easy, and mining, dodging around enemies,and attacking things with godlike poweris just as fun as it is on PC normally.
