The Steam Deck has been out for months, but many hopeful buyers are still waiting on their handheld. Valve hasn’t been idly shipping units, though. The company continues to add games to its list of Deck Verified titles, which Valve itself has verified to work with the Deck.

　　This list is mainly focused on games that you can’t play on another handheld (and in some cases, on any other platform). Although Deck Verified games offer the best experience, there are thousands of additional titles that still work on the Steam Deck. Make sure to read our roundup of the best Steam Deck games for a few options. To get the most out of your new handheld, here are the Steam Deck Verified games you should play first.

　　Jacob Roach / Digital Trends Recommended Videos

Elden Ring

　　96 %

　　4/5

　　M

　　Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

　　Genre Role-playing (RPG)

　　Developer FromSoftware

　　Publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment

　　Release February 25, 2022

　　Read our full Elden Ring review

　　Read more

　　ELDEN RING - E3 Announcement Trailer

　　If you want one game to play first on your Steam Deck, it’s Related

　　One of the Apple Vision Pro’s first games lets you play tabletop classics I tried the world’s lightest 14-inch gaming laptop — here’s what surprised me PC gamers — Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 are officially dead

　　Elden Ring. It’s the frontrunner for the best game of 2022, and it was among the first batch of titles Valve added to the Deck Verified program. Exclusively released on consoles and PC, Elden Ring is an open-world game that’s stuffed to the brim with secrets, bosses, and puzzles. Developer From Software is known for the Dark Souls series and similar Soulslike games, and Elden Ring brings the same level of brutal difficulty. The Steam Deck eases the burden a bit, though, allowing you to adventure in short bursts instead of banging your head against a tough boss.

Valheim

　　86 %

　　Platforms Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows)

　　Genre Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie

　　Developer Iron Gate AB

　　Publisher Coffee Stain Publishing

　　Release February 02, 2021

　　Read more

　　Valheim trailer | PC Gaming Show 2020

　　A big reason the Steam Deck is so exciting is that it allows you to play games that would otherwise only be available on PC. Valheim is a prime example. This open-world survival game made massive waves when it launched in early 2021, but it hasn’t made its way to consoles. The Steam Deck allows you to take it on the go. In Valheim, you adventure in a procedurally generated world with up to nine friends, discovering new territory, finding new resources, and encountering devastating monsters inspired by Norse mythology. Valheim is endless, and that’s the perfect type of game for the Steam Deck.

God of War

　　94 %

　　M

　　Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4

　　Genre Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure

　　Developer SIE Santa Monica Studio

　　Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment

　　Release April 20, 2018

　　Read more

　　God of War - E3 2017 Gameplay Trailer (Official)

　　It was a long shot that we would ever see God of War on PC, but it’s not only available on PC, it’s Deck Verified, too. This cinematic reboot catches up with Kratos years after the original trilogy, and it succeeds in creating an experience that goes well beyond hacking and slashing. Enhanced for PC, God of War is extremely demanding, so don’t expect top-tier visuals and performance on the Steam Deck. If you follow our God of War PC performance guide, though, you can optimize your game for Valve’s handheld.

Persona 4 Golden

　　96 %

　　M

　　Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation Vita

　　Genre Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Adventure, Visual Novel

　　Developer Atlus

　　Publisher NIS America, Atlus, Atlus USA

　　Release June 15, 2012

　　Read more

　　Persona 4 Golden: E3 Trailer

　　Unless you have a PlayStation Vita kicking around, the only way to play Persona 4 Golden on the go is with the Steam Deck. It’s one of the best JRPGs ever made, combining the series’ signature life sim mechanics with procedurally generated dungeons and an enthralling narrative that will keep you entertained for around 100 hours. The Steam version comes with additional graphics options, including higher frame rates and resolutions, and the Steam Deck is more than capable of taking advantage of both. If you haven’t played Persona 4 Golden, the Steam Deck is the perfect platform to start. And if you have, Valve’s handheld gives you a reason to revisit one of the best RPGs of all time.

Noita

　　87 %

　　Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows)

　　Genre Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Adventure, Indie, Arcade

　　Developer Nolla Games

　　Publisher Nolla Games

　　Release October 15, 2020

　　Read more

　　Noita - Reveal Trailer (Out now!)

　　Noita is a lot like Valheim: A PC gem that unfortunately hasn’t made its way to consoles. It’s a procedurally generated roguelike game, but it’s not just another platformer. In Noita, you track down spells that you can combine to create unique magical abilities. Every pixel in the game is physically simulated, too, turning your spells into devastating weapons that literally shape the world around you. It’s a roguelike, but instead of mastering mechanics to make it further along, Noita gives you a unique sandbox to play on each run. It’s the perfect format for the Steam Deck, allowing you to jump in and mess around for a few spare minutes or go deep on crafting your inventory for a perfect run.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

　　88 %

　　M

　　Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

　　Genre Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure

　　Developer Ryū Ga Gotoku Studios

　　Publisher Sega

　　Release January 16, 2020

　　Read more

　　PS4専用ソフト『龍が如く７　光と闇の行方』ティザートレイラー

　　Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a game you can get lost in on the Steam Deck. Several Yakuza titles are Deck Verified, but Like a Dragon is the best. It flips the series format on its head, going with turn-based combat and a traditional JRPG progression system. It takes notes from Persona, too, introducing bonds with your other party members that can give you advantages in battle. That doesn’t mean the usual Yakuza flare is lost. Like a Dragon is still silly as can be, and it packs in dozens of minigames to keep you entertained between story beats. Download Yakuza: Like a Dragon on your Steam Deck, and it might be the only game you play for a month or more.