Every gamer cherishes the freedom to play their favorite games anytime, anywhere, seamlessly blending portability with powerful gaming.
Steam Deck OLED elevates this experience, offering not just portability but an unparalleled visual feast with a vibrant OLED display.
Join us as we dive into a review of Steam Deck OLED and 20 spectacular games to maximize your enjoyment of this exciting, new handheld gaming device.
What is Steam Deck OLED?
Steam Deck OLED is Valve’s advanced portable gaming console, distinguished by its vibrant OLED screen that provides enhanced color contrast and clarity. This upgraded model also features extended battery life, faster downloads with Wifi 6E, and efficient thermal management. Slightly lighter than its predecessor, Steam Deck OLED combines portability with powerful gaming capabilities, making it an attractive option for gamers on the go.
An Honest Review of Steam Deck OLED
Providing a candid, real-world perspective on Steam Deck OLED, Cyber Dopamine shared his experience with it on YouTube after two months of use. His review delves into the nitty-gritty, balancing the good and the bad. It offers an honest look at the device’s performance and user experience.
From the device’s console-like ease of use and its stunning OLED display, the review provides a comprehensive look at the positives of owning and using Steam Deck OLED. Cyber Dopamine highlights the seamless gaming experience and the visual enhancements brought by the OLED technology.
However, the review also addresses the challenges posed by its Linux-based system, particularly in multiplayer gaming. Cyber Dopamine highlights the limitations in game compatibility due to the Linux OS, noting difficulties with certain popular multiplayer titles and issues related to anti-cheat software compatibility. While these are significant drawbacks for some gamers, they are balanced against the notable improvement in battery life, which is a key advantage for portable gaming.
Watch the full review here:
20 games to play on Steam Deck OLED
Also on YouTube, Steam Deck Gaming has a fantastic rundown of the 20 most played Steam Deck Games for 2023. This list would be a perfect starting point for new owners of Steam Deck OLED. Here’s the list:
1. ELDEN RING
– World: Expansive fantasy with daunting challenges.
– Steam Deck Capability: Not specified.
– Ranking: Top 5 all year, twice at number 1.
2. Stardew Valley
– Concept: Farming simulation with RPG elements.
– Performance: Perfect 60 FPS on LCD, 90 on OLED.
– Ranking: Never out of top 10.
3. Vampire Survivors
– Style: Minimalistic time survival game.
– Steam Deck Experience: Mostly solid 60 FPS.
– Ranking History: Always in top 10, often in top 5.
4. Grand Theft Auto V
– Gameplay: Open-world with rich storytelling.
– Performance on Steam Deck: Over 60 FPS on medium/high settings.
– Ranking: Regular top 5 appearances.
5. Red Dead Redemption 2
– Story: Tale of outlaws in American Heartland.
– Steam Deck Performance: 30-40 FPS with medium settings.
– Ranking: Always in top 10, often in top 5.
6. Cyberpunk 2077
– World: Night City exploration.
– Current Performance: 30-40 FPS on recommended settings.
– Ranking Consistency: Monthly top 20, several times in top 10.
7. Hogwarts Legacy
– Setting: Magical world of Hogwarts in the 1800s.
– Recent Improvements: More stable 30-40 FPS with medium graphics.
– Ranking: Four times in top 5, seven times in top 10.
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
– Experience: Vast open world with endless adventures.
– Performance: 50-60 FPS on high/medium settings.
– Regular Top 10 Contender.
9. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
– Game Mechanics: Action RPG with rogue-like elements.
– Steam Deck Capability: 60-90 FPS, up to 6 hours of gameplay.
– Consistent Ranking: Monthly top 20, thrice in the top 10.
10. Baldur’s Gate 3
– Epic Journey: Fantasy role-playing in a world of conflict.
– Performance Insights: 40-50 FPS in earlier acts, drops in later acts.
– Ranking History: Top spot for 5 months, absent before.
11. Brotato
– Concept: Survival game with a potato character.
– Performance: Steady 60 FPS with up to 4K graphics.
– Ranking Frequency: 11 times in the top 20, once in the top 5.
12. Hades
– Game Design: Fast-paced action with rich storytelling.
– Steam Deck Experience: Perfect 60 FPS, visually stunning on OLED.
– Ranking: Regular in the top 10.
13. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
– Gameplay: Rich fantasy world exploration.
– Performance on Steam Deck: 30-40 FPS on medium graphics.
– Regular Appearances: Monthly top 20 entrant.
14. DAVE THE DIVER
– Unique Blend: Underwater exploration and restaurant management.
– Steam Deck Performance: 30-50 FPS with limited settings adjustment.
– Ranking Overview: Four times in the top 5.
15. Fallout 4
– Setting: Post-nuclear war world.
– Performance Metrics: 60-90 FPS on medium to high settings.
– Popularity: Always in the top 20, four times in the top 10.
16. Slay the Spire
– Game Style: Strategic card game with rogue-like elements.
– Steam Deck Capability: Solid 60 FPS, or 90 on OLED.
– Consistency: Featured in the top 20 every month.
17. No Man’s Sky
– Experience: Expansive galaxy exploration.
– Performance on Steam Deck: Around 40-60 FPS, varying by model.
– Ranking: 7 times in the top 20, twice in the top 10.
18. Persona 5 Royal
– Gameplay: Balance of high school life and extraordinary adventures.
– Performance Insights: 60 FPS on LCD, up to 90 FPS on OLED.
– Top 20 Appearances: 7 times, including twice in the top 10.
19. Diablo IV
– Game World: Dark, chaotic world with a focus on the eternal conflict.
– Steam Deck Performance: 40-50 FPS on medium/high settings.
– Ranking Frequency: Appeared 3 times in the top 20.
20. Monster Hunter Rise
– Game Description: Epic monster hunting experience.
– Performance on Steam Deck: 60 FPS on both LCD and OLED models.
– Notable Appearances: Featured 6 times in the top 20.
Watch Steam Deck Gaming show off the gameplay in these 20 games here:
Bonus Game: First Top Seller of 2024
Within weeks of its January 19, 2024 release through Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Preview, Palworld sold 19 million copies across platforms with 12 million games sold on Steam and 7 million sold on Xbox.
Palworld
- Gameplay: A unique blend of Pokémon’s monster collecting with the survival aspects of Ark: Survival Evolved and Monster Hunter.
- Performance on Steam Deck: Smooth gameplay at 30 FPS with adjusted settings and FSR enabled.
- Ranking: January’s top seller and currently the third most played Steam game.
Read more about the gameplay and settings for Palworld on Steam Deck OLED.
Final Thoughts: Knocking Out Games with Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED stands as a testament to the future of portable gaming, blending exceptional performance with a stunning OLED display. The games we’ve listed offer gamers a rich and immersive journey into diverse gaming worlds. Many gamers are also using their Steam Deck OLED to get back into their Steam libraries and revisit their backlog of unfinished games.
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