The best games to play on Steam Deck right now

The perfect handheld companions

The Steam Deck is at its best with games that suit short bursts, sip battery, or simply feel made for the couch. These five are among the most rewarding you can load onto Valve's handheld right now, spanning roguelikes, farming and full-blown open worlds.

• Hades — Supergiant's roguelike is a near-perfect Deck game: gorgeous, snappy, and ideal for a quick escape attempt on the bus. It is Verified and runs like a dream.
• Dead Cells — a razor-sharp action platformer built for bite-sized runs. The instant restarts and tight controls make it hard to put down between stops.
• Stardew Valley — the definitive cosy handheld game. Farming, fishing and small-town life feel wonderfully relaxing in your hands, and it will sip your battery for hours.
• Dishonored — Arkane's stealth-action classic scales down beautifully, offering rich immersive-sim levels that reward patience and creativity on the go.
• Cyberpunk 2077 — proof of how far the Deck has come. With the right settings it delivers a stunning open world in the palm of your hand.

Buy smart

The beauty of this list is that every entry is regularly heavily discounted, and several often sit near their all-time low. Better still, none of them demand a beefy rig, so you can build a rich handheld library without spending much at all. Check the current price on each game's page before you commit, since keyshops and official stores can vary by a fair margin.

Building out a portable library? See our picks for the best games for low-end PC and the coziest cozy relaxing games. When a price drops, our deals page will let you know first.