The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To check whether a Steam game works on Steam Deck, open its Steam Store page or find it in your Deck Library, then read the compatibility badge and its details. Verified means Valve says it works well out of the box; Playable means it works but may need adjustments; Unsupported means Valve currently considers it unplayable; and Unknown means Valve has not reviewed it.
Where to check a game’s Steam Deck status
Valve displays compatibility information on a game’s Steam Store page and in the Steam Deck Library. The Store’s search interface also provides Steam Deck compatibility filters, which can help narrow a list of games: Steam Store search.
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- Search for the exact game. Use its full title and edition to avoid confusing it with a similarly named release.
- Open its Store page or Library entry. Look for the Steam Deck compatibility badge.
- Read the compatibility details. For a Playable or Unsupported result, Valve directs users to the Store page’s Steam Deck Compatibility section to see which Verified requirements are not met: Steam Deck Software Info & Troubleshooting Guide.
- Decide whether the listed issue matters to you. A touchscreen launcher or a manual controller setup may be acceptable to one player and inconvenient to another.
You can also filter your Steam Deck Library by compatibility rating, making it easier to find games with a particular status. Valve’s Deck Verified page explains the program and its ratings.
What each compatibility label means
| Label | What Valve’s status means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Verified | Valve says the game works well on Steam Deck out of the box, without additional modification. | Check the details if you want to understand how it meets the program’s criteria. |
| Playable | The game works, but may require some manual adjustment, such as selecting a community controller layout or using the touchscreen for a launcher. | Read the Store page’s compatibility details and decide whether the workaround suits your play style. |
| Unsupported | Valve currently considers the game not playable on Steam Deck. | Review the listed unmet criteria. The label reflects the current review, not a permanent prediction of the game’s future status. |
| Unknown | Valve has not checked the game for compatibility. This is not a finding that the game is broken. | Treat the official result as inconclusive; seek recent, relevant developer notes or community reports if you need more confidence. |
What the Verified review checks
Valve evaluates four areas. These help explain why a game might be Playable rather than Verified, or receive another status:
#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
- Input: whether the game supports the Deck’s controls, uses appropriate controller input icons, and brings up the on-screen keyboard when needed.
- Display: whether it supports the Deck’s default 1280×800 or 1280×720 resolution, has suitable default settings, and displays legible text.
- Seamlessness: whether the game avoids compatibility warnings and any launcher can be navigated with a controller.
- System support: when the game runs through Proton, whether the game and its middleware—including anti-cheat—are supported by Proton.
SteamOS is Linux-based, and Valve’s SteamOS Gaming page explains that Proton enables many Windows games to run without a separate Linux port. That broader compatibility does not replace the status for an individual game’s current version: check its own listing and details.
How to interpret a result before playing
If the game is Verified
Verified is the clearest official indication that Valve expects a game to work well without extra setup. It is still a compatibility rating, not a guarantee of identical performance under every game update, setting, or user configuration.
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
If the game is Playable
Do not treat Playable as a single kind of problem. Open the compatibility details to identify the specific criterion that is not met. Then consider whether the required change—such as a touch input or a different control layout—fits how you play.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf the game is Unsupported
Valve’s label says it currently considers the game not playable on the Deck. Since ratings can change as games and the Deck evolve, an old result may not describe the current listing. Recheck the Store page if you are relying on a status you saw earlier.
Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
If the game is Unknown
Unknown means there is no official Valve review result. It does not establish whether the game works. For supplementary evidence, look for recent developer notes or player reports that match the game’s edition and version; reports from a different build or setup may not apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can an old compatibility rating be trusted?
Compatibility is an ongoing review, not a permanent verdict. Valve says games receive updates, new titles arrive, and improvements to the Deck can make games that were previously Unsupported playable. Check the live Store listing close to when you plan to play, especially if the status you have seen is old. Valve also described ratings as a snapshot in its March 4, 2022 Deck Verified update; that statement is historical context, not a current catalog count.
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.
Valve says reviewed games retain the same Deck Verified rating for LCD and OLED models. This is a statement about the rating system; it does not guarantee identical performance across every game version, setting, or individual setup. See Valve’s Deck Verified information for its current program details.
Quick Recap
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