The Steam Deck from Valve promises current PC games on the handheld. But which games will actually work?
After the presentation, many users referred to the Steam Deck as a “real” Switch Pro. Still, there are significant differences between Steam Deck and Switch, which we at MeinMMO have already explained in detail.
All differences between the Steam Deck and the OLED model are explained in detail at MeinMMO.
Especially the fact that Valve’s Steam Deck comes with a Linux-based operating system has sparked discussions about which games will actually work on the handheld PC.
Can you play all games on the Steam Deck?
Valve has already stated that the Steam Deck is supposed to be like a mini-PC: You should be able to install software and operating systems on the device as you wish, without restrictions.
In the meantime, we have already tried and tested some games for you on the Steam Deck in the editorial office. Most games run smoothly and without major restrictions:
- I played 2 MMORPGs on the Steam Deck for you and was surprised
- I played Baldur’s Gate 3 on the Steam Deck – Is it worth it?
- This is how you play Diablo 4 on the Steam Deck
Basically, SteamOS and Proton are so mature that you can install all games on your Steam Deck without any problems. However, we recommend that you make sure that games offer controller support. Because then the games are easier to play on the Steam Deck, and you don’t need an additional mouse or keyboard.
Is there a downside? The Steam Deck is shipped with SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system. This operating system is also optimized for the console. If you now install Windows or something else on the handheld, it may be that programs or even Windows itself do not look good on the handheld.
Basically, you can of course also stay with SteamOS. To ensure that Windows games work as well, Valve has come up with something. Valve relies on Proton to improve the compatibility of games in the long term. However, experts recommend not to install Windows on the Steam Deck.
Another downside is the battery life: Especially demanding games quickly drain the battery of your Steam Deck. If you want to play AAA titles on the Steam Deck for several hours, you should have a power outlet in reach.
Proton is supposed to ensure that your games run on Linux
What is Proton anyway? Windows games do not officially run on Linux. This is partly because Linux does not provide certain runtime libraries such as DirectX, which are pre-installed on Windows.
At this point, Proton aims to provide the solution. Proton was first released on August 21, 2018. Proton provides certain libraries and implements DirectX using the Vulkan API. In this way, they aim to significantly increase the performance of Windows games on Linux.
What is the advantage? Proton offers you the advantage that games run on Linux without problems and without you having to make adjustments yourself. You do not have to intervene until the game runs correctly. Valve itself states:
The compatibility layer Proton developed by Valve allows the execution of games without performance loss. With the help of third-party developers, the game compatibility and anti-cheat solutions of Proton for the Deck have also been significantly improved.
(via steamdeck.com)
Games with anti-cheat now also work without problems
Which games run? Users have created an unofficial website called protondb where users list compatible games (via protondb.com).
Currently, nearly 20,000 games are stored in the database, with around 12,000 games verified on the Steam Deck and about 4,000 playable. Games like Team Fortress 2, Dota 2, or CS: Go even run natively on Linux.
Meanwhile, many games that rely on complex protection mechanisms also work. Games like Apex Legends, Dead by Daylight, or Destiny 2 have now been verified by Valve for the Steam Deck. This means that the games run without problems and restrictions.
However, the developers warned about Destiny 2: Anyone playing Destiny 2 on a Steam Deck will be banned.
Windows as an alternative to Linux on the Steam Deck
Valve has already stated that you can also install Windows on the Steam Deck. Valve and AMD have also promised to develop functional drivers for users who want to install Windows on the Steam Deck.
This way, you can also play games on the Steam Deck that are not supported by Proton. How well the performance is with an installed Windows, we cannot say yet. Because there are still no official tests or gameplay with a Windows version.
What do you think? Have you already pre-ordered the Steam Deck or are you not interested in the console? For a while, the demand was so great that the pre-orders brought the Steam servers to their knees, and at times reservations were not even possible.
