10 best Steam Deck games in 2024 so far

We’re almost done with July, so what are our favorite games we’ve been playing on the Steam Deck in 2024? There are still a lot of old favorites here, but we’ve also tried to highlight some lesser-known titles you should check out.

We’ve got some new additions, like boomer shooter Turbo Overkill. There’s a little something for everyone here. However, one game has eaten away at all of our time.

Best Steam Deck game of 2024 so far: Balatro

Balatro is one of the most addictive, nefarious pieces of software we’ve ever touched. A simple game, where you use poker hands to reach a certain score in a limited number of hands. 

Eventually, you’ll unlock Jokers and other items to alter each run. When you lose, you restart, but it’s fiendishly addictive. Runs can be paused and halted at will, and with the Steam Deck’s sleep function, we’ve rarely had any issues.

As each round increases in intensity and difficulty, the game starts to pop off indescribably. The way the cards and score tick up with increasing velocity all plays into Balatro’s addictive nature.

We’re nearing 100 hours in the game, and Balatro has us by the horns. This game is never getting uninstalled.

Best Steam Deck games to play in 2024

Minishoot’ Adventures

No, we don’t know why there’s an apostrophe in the name, but we do know that Minishoot’ Adventures is an absolute joy. Part twin-stick shooter, part Legend of Zelda, Minishoot’ Adventures feels like the start of something bigger.

You control a little spaceship, which you’ll upgrade by beating various dungeons and other ships around the in-game world. At the start, it can feel like it’s being punishingly unfair, but it quickly becomes apparent that yes, it is.

Much like others in the twin-stick shooter genre, Minishoot’ Adventures will swarm you with clever combat encounters. Eventually, you’ll upgrade your ship to do a lot more in fights too. Exploration feels great, as you glide around the map and investigate little nooks.

Hades 2

Supergiant’s first sequel, Hades 2 takes the original concept and spins it out with new threads. You’ll take the role of Melinoe, sister of the previous game’s protagonist and daughter of the titular Hades.

While still in early access, the game’s moment-to-moment gameplay feels impeccable. It’s a delight on the Steam Deck, getting verified even before a true launch. 

Everything is still in a state of flux, but Supergiant knows exactly where they want combat to land. Fast-paced action and exploiting weaknesses are the key here.

The run-based game never makes you feel like a failure either. Evolving conversations, story beats and a steady stream of upgrades mean that you’ll never be left feeling stuck. Each run will net you a new reward in some fashion, including more juicy tidbits from the growing cast of characters.

Dave the Diver

You know, it’s pretty cool that there are two quite relaxing, but suddenly stress-inducing fishing games at the moment. Dave the Diver joins Dredge for last year’s fishing game extravaganza, and it’s fantastic.

You play Dave, a diver, who is roped into helping a fledgling sushi restaurant by catching fish – and also being its waiter. It combines a mixture of exploring the deep for more fish and treasures, along with a funny story to tie it all together. After you’re diving for the day, you’re then thrust into the manic sushi restaurant portion.

Here you will choose the menu, serve customers, and wash dishes. Eventually, you start hiring staff and upgrading just about everything in the game.

It’s the perfect Steam Deck game, with short bursts of the game that can be easily paused, put down, or just for that lunchtime session.

DREDGE

Dredge continues to haunt us with its tales and journeys of the deep. The spooky fishing game is getting its second paid expansion in August. There’s never been a better time to trawl for horrors of the deep.

Set in a rustic fishing village, and its conjoining islands, you’re a fisherman who has found themselves with a broken boat and no money to repair it. As you dash back and forth between searching the depths for treasure, or fish, the Eldritch curse that has taken the land leads into a small mystery.

Eventually, you go from fishing for oceanic life, to braving the dark abyss of night and dredging up old trinkets which a curious researcher wants. What for? Well, you’ll have to find out.

It runs beautifully on the Steam Deck and is really easy to plop down when you’re done with it.

El Paso, Elsewhere

Combine Max Payne with horrors from another world, and you get El Paso, Elsewhere. The game is a joyous mix of old-school third-person shooting with some fancy slow-motion mechanics thrown in.

It’s a wild experience, with a twisted story that plays out throughout various, quick-fire missions. El Paso, Elsewhere also continues Max Payne-esque traditions complete with painkillers and diving to take out the hordes of the undead and mythological.

Backing it all up is an absolute monster of a soundtrack, that kicks in just as you need it. It looks gorgeous on the Steam Deck OLED and continues to invade our little minds.

Path of Exile

Grinding Gear Games

Heavily inspired by Diablo 2, Grinding Gear Games’ Path of Exile is almost too perfect on Steam Deck.

The ultra-fast pace of Path of Exile plays exceptionally well on the Steam Deck’s full control toolset. We thoroughly encourage mapping things to the back paddles.

Dense with complexity, Path of Exile had near zero handholding as you make your way through the game’s ten acts and post-game content. While markedly more complicated than its rival, Diablo 4, it provides exceptional gameplay – especially on a controller.

Our time with Path of Exile on the Steam Deck has seen us slowly move away from the traditional PC setup. Now, we’re chilling on the couch, mowing down legions of enemies in pure comfort.

Path of Exile is available for free on Steam.

Turbo Overkill

An intense boomer shooter, Turbo Overkill wears its retro-inspirations on its sleeve.

The game emphasizes constant movement and an “always be fighting” mentality. While it might look like it’s a bog-standard retro throwback, Turbo Overkill just goes all in on the shtick.

Movement and shooting feel like they just fell right out of the 1990s. However, the way it controls and design decisions made during the game elevates it beyond the sum of its parts.

Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip

Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip is a short, incredibly funny journey to get Tiny Terry into space. A laid-back, almost Simpsons Hit and Run feeling is Tiny Terry’s M.O. here. You’ll wander the city, drive a little car and eventually upgrade it by doing jobs for “friends”. 

It’s the perfect afternoon trip to sink back into the chair and play something mindless for a while. Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip is a wonderful injection shot of fun for the Steam Deck and is great for kids too.

Android Assault Cactus

Android Assault Cactus is a sublime twin-stick shooter from 2015. It plays beautifully on the Steam Deck, with impressive performance across the board.

It’s the perfect mix of chaos and testing your skill. The game doesn’t “kill you”, despite the massive amount of bullets on screen. Instead, you’re in a constant race for survival as a battery meter slowly ticks down. Of course, if you do get hit, you’ll revive and lose some score or that much-needed multiplier.

If you’re after some bullet hell action on the Steam Deck, Android Assault Cactus should be your first stop.