If you were the lucky recipient of a Steam Deck over the holidays, there are a lot of games to choose from. Between the limited storage space of Valve's handheld and the occasional spotty Steam Deck verification system, it's not always clear what's worth your time.

There is a lot of steam deck fans at The Verge. Massive open-world experiences like Elden Ring and bite-size first-person shooter experiences like Superhot are examples of games you should try out on your handheld.

Elden Ring

Dark forestscape with two robotic monsters and a castle in the background.
Elden Ring.
Image: FromSoftware

George R.R. Martin and the FromSoftware development team collaborated on a game. Elden Ring is worth a look even if you have avoided the genre before. Elden Ring is one of the first games to earn a steam deck "verified" label and it shows what can be done on the steam deck.

Elden Ring

$60

Elden Ring is a dark-fantasy world full of enemies and lore to discover.

Vampire Survivors

Video game image showing people on a large field.
Vampire Survivors.
Image: Poncle

I don't know what type of game Vampire Survivors is supposed to be but I can't get enough of it. The overall aesthetic is clearly inspired by classic Castlevania titles, but it's not easy to describe Vampire Survivors. Vampire survivors is an ideal game for the steam deck because of it's short runs and minimal hardware requirements.

Vampire Survivors

$5

Vampire survivors is a time survival game with a lot of elements from Castlevania.

Superhot: Mind Control Delete

Red figures being shot and exploding against a white background.
Superhot: Mind Control Delete.
Image: Superhot

Superhot: Mind ControlDeletion is the most expansive version of the first-person shooter in the Superhot franchise. There are more levels, weapons, and ways to experience the same satisfying Superhot game. You have an experience that is intense and cerebral because of the fact that your adversaries, their bullets, and yours only move when you do. The game is easy to pick up and play, and the graphics allow the steam deck to handle it with ease. Superhot: Mind Control Delete is the best JohnWick game that doesn't have JohnWick in it.

No Man’s Sky

A spacecraft blasting a large space rock against a purple background.
No Man’s Sky.
Image: Hello Games

No Man's Sky had a rocky start but has evolved into something completely different thanks to the constant efforts of its developers. The steam deck is a great way to explore the universe. No Man's Sky is a good place to start if you enjoy crafting and survival experiences. You can explore this game on your steam deck if you were interested in it when it was first released.

No Man’s Sky

$60

No Man's Sky is a good place to start if you enjoy crafting and survival experiences.

Fallout 4

Illustration showing man aiming huge weapon on his shoulder.
Fallout 4.
Image: Bethesda Softworks

While most players prefer the online world of Fallout 76, there is still an excellent single-player experience with a lot of community driven content. If you are willing to compromise in a few places, there is no problem adapting to the steam deck hardware. The game already has a large experience out of the box. If you missed out on the fourth mainline entry, this is the best time to get back in touch with your friends.

Fallout 4

$20

If you missed out on the fourth mainline entry, this is the best time to get back in touch with your friends.

Tunic

Green creatures and a fox on a platform with barrels and purple rays.

The cute aesthetic of Tunic betrays the difficulty of this stylish isometric adventure game. It is a title that encourages exploration and is full of secrets for you to uncover. The enemies and boss battles can be hard at times, but they are rewarding once you have figured them out. If you are looking for something similar to The Legend of Zelda on Steam, Tunic is a great choice.

Tunic

$30

The cute aesthetic of Tunic betrays the difficulty of this stylish isometric adventure game.

Overload

Flying vehicles blasting over a while highway.
Overload.
Image: Revival Productions

Despite its "unknown" compatibility rating, Overload plays very well on the steam deck. In Overload you have to fly through a maze of tunnels and mine shafts in order to destroy a central reactor and escape. The original game has over 15 levels but also has years of free community-made content for you to dive into, making Overload worth a look if you want to play an unconventional first-person shooter.

Overload

$30

In Overload you have to fly through a maze of tunnels and mine shafts in order to destroy a central reactor and escape.

Rollerdrome

A skater wearing red skates away from the viewer.
Rollerdrome.
Image: Private Division

Rollerdrome is an odd fusion of Tony Hawk Pro Skater and slow- motion gunplay. The 1975 movie Rollerball starring James Caan is an inspiration for Rollerdrome. You will play through arenas filled with bad guys for you to mow down and replenish your weapons. Rollerdrome is an excellent choice for your steam deck library because of its bite-size levels.

Rollerdrome

$30

Rollerdrome is an odd fusion of Tony Hawk Pro Skater and slow- motion gunplay.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Two Western men with kerchiefs as masks aim guns at the viewer.
Red Dead Redemption 2.
Image: Rockstar Games

The romantic Western epic is an excellent open-world adventure even though it is showing its age at this point. You will pick up a Southern drawl if you look at the fake Old West. Even on low settings, Red Dead Redemption 2 looks amazing on a handheld. It is easy to understand why we think you should make this game.

Red Dead Redemption 2

$60

The romantic Western epic is an excellent open-world adventure even though it is showing its age at this point.