The Top 20 Steam Deck Games of 2025

If you have not but, comply with us on X (Twitter), Mastodon, or Bluesky to know once we publish new articles, and be a part of our Reddit or Subscribe to us on YouTube to take a look at our content material and work together with our superior group. Thank you for supporting us!

There had been so many superb video games that had been launched this yr, and it is fairly overwhelming. It felt like there was at the least one recreation every week that was enormous, and as a gamer, it felt like there was at all times one thing to play. Now, with the yr nearly over, I wished to have a look again and discuss a few of my favourite video games on the Steam Deck. So, listed here are our prime 20 video games on the Steam Deck from this yr.

As a bit disclaimer, this listing relies on each the sport’s high quality and Steam Deck compatibility. Every recreation listed right here is one that’s playable and gratifying on the Steam Deck. This listing can be based mostly on our opinion from our time taking part in the video games from this yr.

20. Ninja Gaiden 4 (SDHQ Review)

I absolutely anticipated Ninja Gaiden 4 to not be playable on the Steam Deck, realizing the type of intense expertise we had been moving into, however right here we’re, and it is really playable. It is one among my favourite motion video games this yr, bringing the extreme, gory fight, a brand new character to play as, and an entertaining story, along with a wonderful visible spectacle. It does want to stay to 30 FPS, however it appears first rate and is playable, which is greater than I anticipated.

I had a lot enjoyable taking part in Ninja Gaiden 4, and I feel it is a implausible recreation. However, efficiency on the Steam Deck does require lots of compromise, and whereas I’d nonetheless take into account it playable, it borders on unplayable.

19. The Alters (SDHQ Review)

Despite some compromises to run on the Steam Deck, I fell in love with The Alters. The gameplay loop includes deciding easy methods to handle every day and gathering sufficient supplies to stave off demise and transfer the story alongside. It’s a implausible loop with an odd, but satisfying angle of utilizing clones to make all of it occur. Couple that with nice voice appearing and playable efficiency on the Steam Deck, and we get an expertise value taking up the go.

I like The Alters as a recreation, and it is higher on the Steam Deck than I anticipated, however it nonetheless requires a good quantity of compromise. It’s sufficient to make the sport a better-looking expertise on a extra highly effective PC, however it’s nonetheless very playable right here.

18. DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS (SDHQ Review)

The Warriors video games have at all times been my responsible pleasure for gaming, and Dynasty Warriors: Origins took it to a different stage. While the button-mashing gameplay of 1 vs 1000 remains to be right here, it has extra RPG-focused components like its story, development, and anonymous hero that work higher than I anticipated. There’s additionally a bit extra depth into the fight, and pairing it with the Steam Deck makes it a good way to grind on the go.

I’ll admit, I do actually just like the Warriors sequence, however Origins felt like a step up from the standard. It’s a load of enjoyable, and regardless of the compromises wanted, it sticks robust at 30 FPS whereas nonetheless wanting good.

17. Sonic X Shadow Generations (SDHQ Review)

I cherished Sonic Generations when it got here out, so having an up to date model with additional content material that truly works on the Steam Deck was excessive on my listing of video games I used to be excited to play once more. Sonic X Shadow Generations makes it so the principle recreation is absolutely playable, hitting a simple 60 FPS on the Deck, whereas the brand new Shadow content material is ready to hold to 40 FPS. It does have up to date visuals over the principle recreation, which is why it’s extra intensive, however it’s nonetheless very playable on the go.

I do know this can be a remaster with new content material, however the recreation is simply so good and runs like a allure on the Steam Deck. It’s onerous to not love this model of the sport.

16. Silent Hill f (SDHQ Review)

Silent Hill f is the opposite horror recreation I had been wanting ahead to this yr, other than Cronos, and it is nice as properly. It does really feel extra action-based than different Silent Hill video games, however the story itself is a deal with. You play as Hinako, who has to run via city, confronting her personal demons, whereas additionally battling monsters. It’s additionally stunning how playable it’s on the Steam Deck, and I had a blast taking part in via it on the go.

I cherished taking part in via Silent Hill f on the Deck, and I used to be actually shocked by how good it was. I do want the sport had been much less combat-heavy, however with some minor modifications, the visuals had been good with a strong 30 FPS.

15. SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance (SDHQ Review)

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance was a pleasure to play via. It captured me with its beautiful artwork type and action-packed fight that relied on combos to whittle down enemy well being and kill them. Combat generally is kind of partaking and detailed, and whereas I wasn’t at all times proud of the development system, it did not decelerate my enjoyment of the expertise. It’s additionally excellent to play on the Steam Deck, so no complaints there!

I actually take pleasure in SHINOBI, and it is a implausible platformer. It runs like a allure on the Steam Deck with an incredible fight system that makes combos really feel a lot enjoyable to truly use.

14. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (SDHQ Review)

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound fulfilled what I wished to see in an motion side-scroller once I received my arms on it. Instead of specializing in detailed fight mechanics, we solely hit enemies as soon as for them to die. I’m not a fan of bullet-sponge enemies, so this was a deal with. It additionally has wonderful pixel art work, superb animations, nice stage design, and excellent Steam Deck efficiency.

This is one other nice platformer, and it runs extraordinarily properly on the Steam Deck. It offers a really related feeling to SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, however I choose this type of fight, the place one strike can kill an enemy.

13. Gears of War: Reloaded (SDHQ Review)

The remaster for Gears of War was a good way to get again into the sequence, whereas bringing it to Steam. It would not have a ton of latest options, and appears fairly near the Ultimate Edition on Xbox Game Pass, however it brings again multiplayer, updates its visuals a bit bit, and comes with implausible assist for the Steam Deck, making it simple to play at 60 FPS.

Even although this can be a re-release of fairly an outdated recreation, I had lots of enjoyable getting again into it and taking part in on the Steam Deck, which was a deal with. I nonetheless want it did a bit extra, and there are some components within the story that may drop under 60 FPS, however it’s nonetheless fantastic.

12. Warriors: Abyss (SDHQ Review)

I like the Dynasty Warrior video games, and turning it right into a roguelike was a implausible transfer. Warriors: Abyss has you select a personality and battle via levels to earn buffs and get stronger all through every run. You can unlock new everlasting buffs, characters, and extra to maintain coming again. It additionally runs completely on the Steam Deck, so I’d say it is value it for a large number of causes.

Roguelikes really feel proper at residence on the Deck, and mixing Warriors gameplay with a roguelike format labored so properly. It does get a bit monotonous the longer you play, however it’s nonetheless nice sufficient for me to maintain coming again.

11. Split Fiction

I like taking part in co-op video games, and Split Fiction is one other nice one from developer Hazelight Studios. While the story is first rate, it is the gameplay that’s simply superb. There are tons of various environments to run via and obstacles to beat together with your accomplice, who you may see through the vertical cut up display. It does have some compromises to run on the Steam Deck, however it’s nonetheless very playable and a pleasure to expertise when mendacity in mattress subsequent to your accomplice.

Split Fiction is such a enjoyable recreation, and I had a good time taking part in it with my spouse. It is not a strong 60 FPS on the Deck, however it’s nonetheless playable and appears strong, too.

10. Dragon Quest 1&2 HD-2D Remake (SDHQ Review)

I cherished Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake on the Steam Deck, so I used to be sure to take pleasure in Dragon Quest 1&2’s HD-2D Remake as properly. And I did. It’s two video games packed into one, and so they supply decently differing experiences that make them really feel completely different, but related on the similar time. However, the story from 1 continues into 2, making it worthwhile to play them each. And after all, it is only a deal with on the Steam Deck, so there aren’t any complaints there!

Playing via JRPGs feels proper at residence on moveable gadgets, and Dragon Quest 1&2 had been two of my favorites to take pleasure in this yr on the Steam Deck. The OLED display makes the HD-2D type look excellent, and I feel this can be a nice recreation to take a position time into when taking part in on the go.

9. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (SDHQ Review)

I like Mario Kart, and I’ve at all times wished one thing prefer it for the Steam Deck. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was that recreation for me. While it is not precisely the identical, it has some distinctive options that assist it stand out, equivalent to its solid of racers, customizable choices that have an effect on your automotive, and mid-race stage modifications. It’s lots of enjoyable and might simply hit 60 FPS on Steam Deck with good visuals, so it is an incredible choice on the go.

I used to be pleasantly shocked with how properly Sonic Racing runs and appears on the Steam Deck. 60 FPS with close to max visuals in a racing recreation the place efficiency/framerate goes to be vital is simply nice, and with how gratifying the gameplay is, it is onerous to disclaim simply how nice it’s to play on the go.

8. The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- (SDHQ Review)

Danganronpa was one among my favourite detective-esque visible novels, so I used to be instantly in when the identical staff behind the sport was making a brand new one with fight. The Hundred Line is a implausible expertise with one among my favourite tales in a online game I performed this yr. The fight is lots of enjoyable, and it has some Persona-esque development components to it. However, with how nice it runs on the Steam Deck, it is onerous to not suggest taking part in it on the go.

Every time I take into consideration The Hundred Line, it makes me want it had been mentioned extra. The art work is implausible, the characters are memorable, the story is partaking, and there are such a lot of branches that can all give little items of knowledge to provide us the complete story. And with it working flawlessly on the Steam Deck at 60 FPS, it is a simple advice.

7. Cronos: The New Dawn (SDHQ Review)

I had been wanting ahead to Cronos: The New Dawn ever since Bloober Team introduced it, and it completely lived as much as it. You are attempting to determine the origins of what triggered the apocalypse and destroyed human civilization, whereas additionally needing to combat monsters that may remodel into useless our bodies of different monsters. I used to be shocked by how playable it’s on the Steam Deck, hitting 30 FPS with out problem on the bottom settings, whereas nonetheless wanting nice.

I used to be so shocked with Cronos, not simply because it fulfilled my want for one more recreation like Dead Space, but in addition as a result of it was really very playable on the Steam Deck. Despite needing some visible compromises, just like the blue mild impact on faraway objects, it nonetheless holds up as a strong moveable recreation that I can fortunately suggest taking part in on.

6. Dispatch (SDHQ Review)

As far as visible novel-esque video games go, Dispatch is kind of probably probably the greatest. You are a retired superhero who turns into a dispatch officer to ship out heroes to tackle completely different emergencies. It does have some precise gameplay to it, however the majority will probably be centered on the visible novel-like story and decisions you make, which is nice as a result of the story is simply implausible. This additionally makes it near-perfect to play on the Steam Deck, and that is by no means a nasty factor.

I anticipated Dispatch to have an incredible story, however I by no means anticipated it to be pretty much as good as it’s. It combines humor with an intriguing story effortlessly, has some implausible voice expertise, first rate gameplay, and runs completely on the Steam Deck.

5. FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Fantasy Life i used to be one of many video games this yr that snuck up on me and I ended up falling in love with. It’s a stunning and enjoyable JRPG the place you’ll form your individual island to your liking. There are 14 completely different jobs you may choose up, all with their very own development, and you’ll in the end find yourself fishing, cooking, preventing, and rather more to progress. It’s an incredible recreation to play, particularly on the Steam Deck, and it is undoubtedly definitely worth the time funding.

I used to be really a bit late to the social gathering for Fantasy Life i, however I’m glad I received there. I had a lot enjoyable taking part in it, and as a JRPG fan who loves grinding, customization, and strong Steam Deck efficiency, this had so much to supply in a wonderfully moveable package deal.

4. Bionic Bay (SDHQ Review)

I really feel like when video games launch in the direction of the start of the yr, they are not talked about as a lot except they carry out extraordinarily properly. In Bionic Bay’s case, it was launched a few week earlier than Clair Obscur launched, which fairly shortly overshadowed it. Still, Bionic Bay is among the greatest platformers I’ve ever performed. I like the physics-based nature, cool powers, and delightful visuals, whereas additionally having fun with its nice efficiency on the Steam Deck.

I used to be blown away by Bionic Bay when it was launched, and I really feel it nonetheless holds robust as we speak. It’s one among my favourite platformers for a very good motive, and with how properly it runs on the Steam Deck, it is onerous to not take into account this an important in your moveable library.

3. Blue Prince (SDHQ Review)

Blue Prince wowed me once I first noticed it at GDC, and I used to be enamored with it as quickly as I received my arms on it. It takes a roguelike format, however has puzzle components with riddles in nearly each room, making you fastidiously plan out and take into consideration the way you wish to construct your format to get to the elusive forty fifth room of the mansion. And with how excellent it feels for the Steam Deck, that is a simple advice that I wouldn’t move on.

This recreation felt like one thing particular. I had by no means put collectively a roguelike on this manner, and I cherished it. The puzzles had been partaking and thought-provoking, whereas the gameplay was intuitive and entertaining. It was onerous to cease taking part in, and it’s a recreation I can suggest to everybody and anybody who owns a Steam Deck.

2. Megabonk

Megabonk is the second recreation that dominated my free time, and it is simply implausible. This combines gameplay components of each Vampire Survivors and Risk of Rain 2 to create this bizarre, but addictive expertise with a very good chunk of content material that feels not possible to place down. I like the sport, and with how splendidly it runs on the Steam Deck, that is one you’ll need so as to add to your library.

Megabonk is well the sport I performed essentially the most on the Steam Deck, and it was one among my favorites of your entire yr. It had sufficient variations as a roguelike to maintain me , whereas additionally having related mechanics that felt acquainted.

1. BALL x PIT (SDHQ Review)

There had been two video games that, when launched, dominated my free time once I wasn’t reviewing video games. BALL x PIT was the primary of them. Combining mechanics from Brick Breaker and Galaga, whereas including fascinating roguelike components and slight metropolis administration, created an unimaginable mixture of gameplay that was onerous to place down. It looks like the right match for the Steam Deck, and with how properly it performs, it most undoubtedly is.

I gave lots of thought as to which recreation needs to be number one on this listing, and it in the end got here all the way down to uniqueness, which BALL x PIT has in droves. I fell in love with its gameplay, each the roguelike ball flinging and city administration, and it’s hands-down my favourite recreation of this yr.

And these are our prime 20 Steam Deck video games from 2025. This has been such a tremendous yr crammed with so many nice video games that it was so onerous to decide on. Still, these are my favorites of the yr, and every one among them is value trying out.

Let us know what your favourite recreation of 2025 is within the feedback under!

If you loved this text, try the remainder of the content material on SteamDeckHQ! We have all kinds of recreation critiques and information that can assist your gaming expertise. Whether you are on the lookout for information, ideas and tutorials, recreation settings and critiques, or simply wish to keep up-to-date on the most recent tendencies, we have you lined!