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To play a Steam Deck Verified game, connect your Deck to Wi-Fi during first-time setup, sign in to Steam, install the game from your Library, and launch it from the default Steam interface. Steam’s Verified badge means the game works well on Deck without extra configuration; it does not guarantee that you will never encounter a problem.
What Steam Deck Verified means
Steam assigns four compatibility labels. Check a game’s Steam Store page and its Steam Deck Compatibility section for details about any unmet requirements. Steam also provides a personalized compatibility breakdown for your Library.
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| Label | Has Steam tested it? | Works well by default? | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verified | Yes | Yes | Steam considers the game to work well on Deck without additional modification. |
| Playable | Yes | Not necessarily | The game works, but you may need to change settings or use a mouse or touchscreen to navigate a launcher. |
| Unsupported | Yes | No | Steam does not currently consider the game playable on Steam Deck. |
| Unknown | No | Not established | Steam has not tested the game for compatibility. |
These definitions come from Steam Support’s Steam Deck software guide. A Verified rating is a useful starting point, not a promise that every update, setting, or session will be trouble-free.
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Set up the Deck and install a Verified game
- Connect to Wi-Fi during first-time setup. Steam requires Wi-Fi access during setup so you can sign in to your Steam account. Follow the on-screen setup prompts.
- Open your Library. In the Deck’s default Steam interface, browse your Steam games and select the title you want.
- Install the game. Choose the install option and wait for the download and installation to finish. Steam’s default Deck experience supports browsing, downloading, and playing Steam games.
- Launch it from the Library. Start with the game’s default settings. Because Verified means it works well by default, you do not normally need to force a compatibility tool first.
Steam’s setup and default-interface guidance is available in its Basic Use & Troubleshooting Guide and Steam Deck and Steam Machine Desktop FAQ.
#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
Troubleshoot a game that will not launch or runs poorly
Install updates and restart
First, check for SteamOS updates at Steam > Settings > System > Software Updates. Then restart from the update area or choose Steam > Power > Restart. Steam recommends these steps as an initial response to software problems.
Retest without third-party applications
If the issue continues, exit or disable third-party applications installed through Desktop Mode and test the game again. This can help determine whether an added application is contributing to the problem.
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
Try Proton only when needed
For a Steam game that still has trouble, you can select a different compatibility tool for that title: open Library > select the game > Menu > Properties > Compatibility, then enable Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool. Steam recommends trying the latest Proton version.
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Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
Reduce graphics settings if performance is poor
If the game launches but performs poorly, try a lower graphics preset or reduce individual graphics settings. The available options vary by game.
These troubleshooting steps are described in Steam Support’s software guide.
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.
Optional: add storage or play while docked
Add a microSD card for more game storage
A microSD card is optional; it is not needed to play a Verified game. Steam supports UHS-I (Class 3 or better) cards. UHS-II and UHS-III cards are expected to work, but their higher transfer speeds are not supported. Format a card on the Deck at Steam > Settings > System > Format SD card. See Steam’s Basic Use & Troubleshooting Guide.
Connect a dock or hub for a larger setup
A dock is also optional. Steam describes using a dock to connect displays, USB peripherals, controllers, Ethernet, and power. Most USB-C-compliant docks and hubs should work. Thunderbolt and DisplayLink docks may work, but Steam does not officially support them.
To power the Deck through a hub, choose one with USB-C Power Delivery passthrough. Some hubs reserve part of the power contract for attached devices, which can affect how much power reaches the Deck. See Steam’s docking guidance.
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