The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Before buying a Steam game for your Steam Deck, open that exact game’s Steam store page and check its Steam Deck compatibility rating and details. Valve’s labels indicate whether the game is expected to work smoothly, may need adjustments, is currently not functional, or has not yet been checked. Read the title-specific details and recheck close to purchase, because ratings can change.
Check a game’s Steam Deck compatibility
- Search for the exact game in Steam. Open its store page rather than relying on a general list or an older report.
- Find the Steam Deck compatibility label. Read any compatibility details displayed for that title; they can explain specific controls, display, launcher, or system limitations.
- Decide whether any listed adjustments work for you. This matters especially when the rating is Playable.
- Check again shortly before buying. Valve ratings can change as games, Proton, and Deck support are updated.
You can also browse Steam’s Deck Compatibility-filtered search, which includes Verified and Playable options. On a Steam Deck, the library displays compatibility ratings and can be filtered by rating. Valve describes its Deck Verified program as the source of the official labels shown in the store and library.
What the four compatibility labels mean
| Label | What Valve says | What to do before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Verified | The game works great on Steam Deck out of the box. | Expect the smoothest setup among the four labels, while still reading any details shown on the game’s page. |
| Playable | The game may require some manual tweaking by the user to play. | Read the game-specific notes and decide whether the required steps or limitations suit you. |
| Unsupported | Valve’s category description says the game is currently not functional on Steam Deck. | Do not treat it as a reliable purchase for Deck play unless you find current, title-specific evidence that changes your assessment. |
| Unknown | Valve has not checked the game’s compatibility yet. | Unknown is not an official finding that the game fails. Look for current reports about the exact game, or wait if you need certainty. |
What a Verified rating evaluates
Valve’s Verified criteria cover four parts of the experience, not simply whether a game starts:
- Input: full controller support, appropriate controller icons, and the on-screen keyboard appearing automatically when needed.
- Display: support for the Deck’s default 1280×800 or 1280×720 resolution, suitable default settings, and legible text.
- Seamlessness: no compatibility warnings, and controller navigation when the game uses a launcher.
- System support: for games running through Proton, support for the game and its middleware, including anti-cheat support.
These criteria explain what Valve assesses, but they do not guarantee an identical experience in every title. The game’s own compatibility details are the useful next step when you are weighing a purchase.
#1 Best Overall
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
How to assess Playable, Unknown, and community reports
Playable: inspect the specific workaround
Valve’s examples of adjustments include manually choosing a community controller configuration or using the touchscreen to navigate a launcher. Those are different kinds of friction: one involves changing controls, while the other requires touch input. Check the details for the game you want and consider whether you are comfortable with its particular steps.
Unknown: seek evidence, not a verdict
An Unknown rating means Valve has not supplied a compatibility review; it does not mean the game is Unsupported. If you need more confidence, look for recent reports about the same game and pay attention to their dates and game versions.
Rank #2
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
Community reports: useful but not official ratings
Steam community curator pages, such as the Deck Compatibility curator, can provide user-facing reports, settings, and caveats. Treat them as additional experience rather than Valve’s official status or universal testing. If reports disagree, compare their dates and the game versions involved instead of assuming one result applies to every player.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why you should recheck before purchase
Valve has described compatibility ratings as a snapshot that can change over time. Game updates, Proton improvements, controller and anti-cheat support, and Steam Deck features can all affect how a title works. Valve says its review process continues and that it works to keep ratings current; use the live game page rather than treating an old list or dated report as definitive. See Valve’s Deck Verified Update of March 4, 2022 for its explanation of changing ratings.
Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
For titles Valve has tested, the compatibility rating is the same for Steam Deck LCD and OLED models, according to Valve’s Deck Verified documentation.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
