What Games Work on Steam Deck? Verified Games, Proton Compatibility & Emulator Guide

The Steam Deck from Valve has become one of the most versatile handheld gaming devices that is available on the market today. It runs a Linux based operating system and relies heavily on Proton compatibility to run thousands of PC games. Because of this simple fact, the number of games that are available to run on the Steam Deck is a much bigger range than people realise. Within that ecosystem, there are games  that are officially verified by Steam themselves and are vetted for smooth performance and such. Meanwhile there are many other games that run surprisingly well with a little bit of tweaking and adjustments. You can even install games from other PC storefronts and run classic games through emulators. 
With that said, if you’re here trying to figure out what actually works on the Steam Deck, the short answer is “alot”. The longer, more detailed answer is pretty interesting, so let’s dive into that and break it down section by section.

 

Steam Official Games that work on the Steam Deck (Verified/playable) 

There is a classification system that Steam uses to tell players how well a game works on the console. Games will receive one of four labels-

1. Verified
2. Playable
3. Unsupported
4. Unknown

Verified games run incredibly smoothly with the default controls as well as resolutions. You as a player may be required to make some tiny adjustments here and there such as text scaling or manual controller setup, but other than that these games that are classified as “Verified” run incredibly well. Here’s a list of some popular Steam Deck compatible games; 

Having said all of that, before you install a game on your Steam Deck, it helps to confirm how well it runs on the device. There are a bunch of ways to do this. You can use team Steam Deck Compatibility Labels (Verified, Playable, Unsupported, Unknown). 
Verified means the game runs perfectly with controller and default settings. Playable means that the game works but may need some small adjustments. Unsupported means that the game has some known issues that can prevent proper gameplay. Finally, Unknown means that it’s not tested by Valve.

The ProtonDB is a community driven website where players across the world report real-world compatibility results. Games on this website will receive ratings (Platinum, Gold, Silver and finally Bronze) depending on how well they run. 

Finally, there are the community gaming forums, subreddits and steam discussions which end up often providing updated guides and configuration suggestions for many games. As is tradition, the community tends to find a solution long before the official updates appear, meaning it’s always worth checking out these sources. 

 

Dynamic Steam Deck Libraries and Compatibility Databases

Because so many new games are released on a frequent basis and compatibility updates happen often as well, there aren't any static lists per se. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The good news is that there are several official and community oriented libraries that track the Steam Deck compatibility in real time. These resources allow you as a player to check the status of a game for the Steam Deck -whether the game is verified, playable or perhaps it works through Proton- before installing it on their device. Here’s a list of the most useful compatibility libraries you can find: 

For games that are not officially verified, the community comes to the rescue via the ProtonDB platform (which is the most widely used platform incidentally). Players submit detailed reports, which includes information about game performance, tweaks that are required to run the game well, controller fixes and also information about which version of Proton works best for that particular game title. Furthermore, ProtonDB also assigns ratings (Platinum, gold, silver, bronze) that helps users to quickly see how well a game that they’d maybe be interested in runs, even if it doesn't have an official Steam Deck verification label.

Using all of this information and dynamic libraries together gives the players a clear overview of the state of game compatibility for the Steam Deck. The official lists provide verified results, while the community effort shows that many additional titles also work perfectly with some minor adjustments, yet again showing the strength of the Steam Deck.

 

Tips for Optimizing Steam Deck Game Performance

Despite a game working well, there is always room for improvement. You can always make tweaks that help further improve game performance or battery life as well. Adjusting the graphics settings can dramatically affect and improve your frame rates: 

 

You can also change the version of proton you’re using, since Steam allows for you to actively switch between different versions. Sometimes, either an older or an experimental build of Proton can result in fixing issues that may affect certain games.

The Steam Input also allows you to fully customize your controller layout schemes. Players can create their own layouts and share them with the community at large, which you can download and use if it fits your playstyle. This is especially useful when you play games such as RTS games where they were originally designed for playing with a keyboard and mouse layout. 

And finally, the Steam Deck also includes built in controls where players can adjust specific settings such as FPS limits, GPU clock speed, Thermal Performance settings and even Battery Optimization. Adjusting these settings can help balance your Steam Deck’s performance and extend your battery life.

 

Summary

At the end of the day, the Steam Deck library is absolutely massive. Between official Steam Deck verified games, Proton compatible titles, third party launchers and emulator support, the handheld can run thousands of games across multiple generations, and that is one of the biggest appealing factors for the Steam Deck. One moment you’re running through a modern RPG such as Elden Ring, another moment you’re reminiscing and revisiting a classic platformer from your childhood. This flexibility is what makes the Steam Deck feel less like a console, and more like an absolutely powerful portable gaming ecosystem. 
Bear in mind though, game compatibility varies depending on Steam Deck updates, proton versions and specific game patches as well. Always ensure that you check your Steam Deck verification label or ProtonDB before you jump into the game. 

To get the most out of your Steam Deck, consider adding some essential accessories. From protective cases and screen protectors to docks and controllers, the right gear can make gaming even more enjoyable. Check out our recommended Steam Deck accessories here: Shop Steam Deck Accessories .