Steam Deck deals: how to find games that work
The Steam Deck plays much of Steam's library, but not every game equally well. Valve rates games by how they run on the handheld, and that rating is the quickest way to pick a game on sale that you will actually enjoy on it.
What the ratings mean
- Verified. Valve tested the game on the Steam Deck and it works as it is: the controls, the screen and the settings are set up for the handheld. This is the rating to look for.
- Playable. The game runs, but needs some effort from you, such as a tweak to the settings, small text or an on-screen keyboard. Valve's notes on the game's Steam page say what to expect.
- Unsupported. Valve found that the game does not work on the Steam Deck, or is not made for it.
- Unknown. Valve has not rated the game yet. It may run well, and the recent reviews are the place to find out.
What to check before you buy
- The rating, on the game's page. A game's Steam page shows Valve's rating with its notes, and the game's page here shows it as a tag, so you can see it next to the prices.
- That it is the Steam version. Valve rates the game as it is on Steam. A Steam key from another shop gives you the same game on Steam, so the rating applies, as in Steam keys or the Steam store. A copy for another launcher is not the one that was rated.
- Online games. Some online games use anti-cheat software that does not run on every system. Valve's rating takes it into account, and recent reviews from Steam Deck players tell you more.
- The size of the game. Check it against the free space on your Steam Deck before you buy.
Getting the price right
A game's rating is the same wherever you buy it, so the price is what is left to compare. Every game page on SaveSpawn lists the stores cheapest first and shows the price over time, so you can see whether today's is a usual one, as in how to tell if a deal is good.
For a game you want but not today, set a price alert on its page. To see which games on your own Steam wishlist are on sale, paste your profile into the wishlist checker, then look up the rating of each before you buy. The top-rated page lists the best-reviewed games on sale across the stores.