Gaming on the Go: 6 Best Games on Steam Deck

For years, PC players haven’t had a reliable way to take their show on the road. If you wanted gaming portability, you had to buy a gaming laptop. Nowadays, we’re lucky to have the Steam Deck — a handheld console to access your game library from anywhere. Not all titles are deck verified, so let’s check out the six best games on Steam Deck you can play on the go. 

1. Hogwarts Legacy

Let’s start with one of the most recent releases. Hogwarts Legacy debuted back in February for the new-generation consoles and has been a staple for wizards ever since. Estimates show the game has about 10 million monthly players, ensuring you’ll find others to interact with at Hogwarts. 

In Hogwarts Legacy, you arrive at the famed school of witchcraft and wizardry before Harry, Ron and Hermione, so no worries about their shenanigans. In fact, you’re about a century ahead of them. You’ll experience a remarkable open-world game where you learn to be a wizard through spells, potions, combat and more. Which house do you belong to? The game allows you to create your Hogwarts legacy in your favorite one.

2. Forza Horizon 5

At Modded, racing games are near and dear to our hearts. The Forza series encapsulates how fun it is to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari or a Lamborghini and redline the engine. One of the best games on Steam Deck is Forza Horizon 5, which Xbox Game Studios released in 2021.

Forza Horizon 5 is another open-world game in the series, with this title set in Mexico. You can explore the Mayan temples, volcanoes and old towns and villages. Of course, the best part of the game is racing. You have numerous gameplay options, spanning regular races, battle royales and other mini-games.

Forza Horizon 5 has an incredible list of cars, from Ford to Ferrari and Lamborghini to Land Rover. You may notice Alfa Romeo and Fiat aren’t in the game because the developers could not acquire the license. However, an August 17 update will put the cars in the game. This game is an excellent intro to Forza Motorsport 2023, which we’ll know more about this fall. 

3. Resident Evil 4

Are you a fan of the classics? One of the best games on Steam Deck in 2023 has been the Resident Evil 4 remake. The original 2005 was one of the best Gamecube titles of all time. Now you can reunite with Leon S. Kennedy and Ada Wong as they take down a cult to save the president’s daughter.

The plot in this remake remains mostly the same, but there are a few plots you didn’t see in the first game. You’ll notice the gameplay feels better with the modern touch, such as a crouching ability and an upgraded combat knife. Don’t be surprised if Resident Evil 4 wins game of the year like in 2005. The story, physics and graphics are all terrific. Hopefully, this remake sets up Resident Evil 5 and 6 for re-releases because they deserve it, too.

4. Euro Truck Simulator 2

Road trips can be excruciatingly long, especially if you drive out West. Even staying inside Texas can take up to 12 hours when traveling from Houston to El Paso. How do you pass the time? Get your Steam Deck out and play Euro Truck Simulator 2.

This 2012 title is still popular among gamers because of its immersive experience. You start out as a driver doing jobs for various companies. Once you save enough money, you can purchase your own truck and a garage. Now, you can get better-paying jobs and have more control over your business. The simulator isn’t 100% identical to real life. Still, it’s an excellent glimpse into what actual truck drivers see on their daily schedules. 

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is also a terrific opportunity to learn European geography. The game covers most of mainland Europe plus the United Kingdom. Developers are creating maps for Balkan countries like Serbia, Montenegro and Albania.

5. Unpacking

What’s more soothing than driving a big truck all day? Unpacking boxes in your room. This title is a newcomer to the video game world, debuting in November 2021 on PC, Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch. It’s a relatively simple game, but Unpacking has received critical acclaim. The Australian Game Developers Conference (AGDC) awarded Unpacking its Game of the Year award in 2021.  

Unpacking is a puzzle game that symbolizes life events. You’ll go through various years like 1997, 2004, 2012 and more to unpack items from a box. The protagonist is female, so you’ll remove her belongings from the crate and fit them into her room. You’ll learn more about her with each level, so it ends with a connected plot. The last year is 2018, so you’ll see 21 years of her life. 

The game is straightforward to run on your Steam Deck, so it won’t be a hassle on your battery. Pick up Unpacking if you enjoy indie games and want to show love to smaller developers. Witch Beam from Brisbane, Australia, is the publisher.

6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher is one of the most popular role-playing games (RPG) ever, and the most recent installment is superb. CD Projekt Red released The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in 2015 and has been a fan favorite for nearly a decade. The game has incredible graphics because of recent next-gen updates, but it still plays well on your Steam Deck.

This game is one of the most successful titles of all time. Since its 2015 release, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has sold over 50 million copies — earning a spot in the top 10 for game sales. It might not surpass Minecraft’s record of 238 million, but Wild Hunt will forever have its place in gaming lore. 

The game receives a lot of praise, and it’s well worth it. Wild Hunt occurs in a fantasy world where you continue with the protagonist, Geralt of Rivia. You must rescue his daughter from the wild hunt while building your abilities and leveling up your equipment. The game is unique because your decisions in the campaign determine which ending you get (there are three possibilities.)

Finding the Best Games on Steam Deck

The Steam Deck’s release in 2022 gave a massive boost to PC fans who want a portable device. Now, you can take the console on the plane, the beach or anywhere else.

Valve, the developer, has hundreds of titles available on the handheld, but some games run better than others. For example, you can play Grand Theft Auto V, but users have reported issues with resolution and launch tools. These six titles are among the best games on Steam Deck in 2023.