Use ProtonDB to find dated, player-submitted clues about a Steam Deck game—not as a pass/fail verdict. Open the page for the exact game, filter reports to Steam Deck, and compare several recent entries that describe the same problem. Then update and restart the Deck, test one reversible change at a time, and check whether it fixes the same part of the game.
What ProtonDB can—and cannot—tell you
ProtonDB collects reports from players testing games with Proton on Linux and aggregates community ratings. ProtonDB describes itself as a community project unaffiliated with Valve. Its score is therefore not a Steam compatibility certification, and it does not by itself guarantee how a game will run on your Deck.
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Steam’s own compatibility labels answer a different question. The four categories are Verified, Playable, Unsupported and Unknown: Verified means the game works well by default; Playable may require manual configuration; Unsupported means it is not currently considered playable; Unknown means it has not been tested for compatibility. For a Playable or Unsupported title, Steam directs users to the game’s Steam Store page and its Steam Deck Compatibility section for details about unmet Verified requirements. Steam says these ratings apply to both LCD and OLED Deck models. See Steam’s Deck software and troubleshooting guide.
Find reports that match your game and device
- Open the exact game page. Search by the game’s title or Steam app ID; similarly named games can have different pages and reports.
- Choose the Steam Deck device filter. ProtonDB game pages provide device filters. Deck reports are more directly relevant than reports from other Linux PCs, whose hardware and configuration may differ. For example, Unravel’s Steam Deck page shows device-specific reports.
- Read individual reports, starting with the newest relevant ones. The overall rating is a useful orientation, but reports can reveal dates, playtime when supplied, the Proton version, settings, symptoms, and whether a fix was tried.
Do not infer a reliable success rate from the aggregate or report count: the consulted sources do not establish a validated formula for weighing reports or a quantified study of report accuracy. Treat counts as context, not a probability that the game will work for you.
#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
Judge whether a report applies to your problem
Compare like with like. A launch failure is not the same issue as poor frame rate or unreadable text. For each useful entry, note the reported symptom, date, Proton version and relevant launch or graphics settings. Where shown, playtime and details of actual gameplay help distinguish a brief launch test from a longer session. ProtonDB examples include observations about battery use, launchers, graphics, input, performance, readability and fixes; the My Time at Sandrock Steam Deck page is one example.
- Recency: A newer report may reflect more recent game and software builds. An older report can still describe a persistent issue, but check its context.
- Device and symptom: Give greater practical weight to a Deck report that describes your specific failure than to a report from another device or about a different problem.
- Configuration and evidence: Look for the Proton choice, launch options and settings, and whether the writer says a particular change made a reproducible difference.
- Conflicts: If reports disagree, compare their dates, symptoms and configurations rather than treating either one as definitive. A single failure does not show that all Deck users will encounter it; an old positive report does not establish that the current build works.
These are practical ways to interpret user reports, not a scientifically validated ranking method. ProtonDB pages display report dates and user details, but those details do not prove that a workaround will transfer to your Deck.
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 fixes in a controlled order
1. Establish a clean baseline
Before applying community tweaks, install available Steam Deck system updates and restart the Deck, then test the game again. Steam Support lists updating and restarting among its first steps for instability. Keep track of the same in-game location or action so you can compare results.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →2. Test a Proton version only when reports point to one
If a recent, symptom-matched Deck report suggests a different Proton version, test that single change and record your original selection so you can restore it. Steam’s documented path is Library > select the game > Menu > Properties > Compatibility > Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool. Steam Support suggests trying the latest Proton. Steam may download the Windows version if only the Linux version is installed. Retest the same scenario before changing anything else.
Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
3. Reduce graphics load for performance problems
If the problem is low performance, try lowering the graphics preset or adjusting one individual graphics setting, as Steam Support recommends. Change one setting at a time and retest the same scene; if it does not help, revert it before testing another suggestion. A graphics change is not a general remedy for a game that will not launch or has missing files.
4. Verify files for missing content or crashes
When content appears to be missing or the game crashes, Steam documents file verification through Library > select the game > Menu > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files. Follow Steam’s file verification guide. Steam cautions that some files may fail verification because local configuration files are intentionally not replaced. Verification is aimed at installation-file problems, not every Proton compatibility issue.
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.
5. Be cautious with invasive community workarounds
Unusual launch options, custom compatibility builds and instructions to delete data can carry side effects. Do not apply them solely because one short report recommends them. Seek corroborating reports that match your game version and symptom, understand what a change affects, and have a rollback plan. If the issue persists after Steam’s basic steps, contact Steam Support or the game developer’s support channel.
Quick Recap
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