Released back in February of last year, Valve’s Steam Deck has been a runaway success from the very get-go. From the moment orders for the Steam Deck first went live in 2021, the demand for these portable PCs has been immense, with fans having to fight each other constantly to get their hands on one within those first 12 months. Thankfully, the Steam Deck has since become readily available for the masses, and with the introduction of the recent Steam Deck OLED, there’s never been a better time to jump on board the handheld PC train.
Even aside from its new OLED model, the Steam Deck has a a phenomenal year in general. Just like every other gaming platform, this year has seen a frankly absurd number of excellent games released on the Steam Deck, many of which now hold that coveted “Verified” status, meaning that they run perfectly on the Steam Deck with no performance issues at all. But in a year with so many great games, only a few can earn a spot on this top 10 Steam Deck games of 2023 list (seen below in alphabetical order).
The 10 Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2023
Although it’s nearly seven years old, the Nintendo Switch has just had one of its best years ever, and these 10 excellent titles prove that.
Armored Core 6
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After years of waiting, FromSoftware has finally returned to its iconic Armored Core series, and it’s made quite the triumphant return at that. Not content with just making another entry in the long-running third-person mech-shooter franchise, FromSoftware has went above and beyond with Armored Core 6, not only modernizing the usual Armored Core formula but infusing it with some satisfying Sekiro-inspired parry systems. While it technically only has the “Playable” tag for Steam Deck, Armored Core 6 runs very well on the handheld, with its only noticeable downside being its sometimes smaller text.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is the latest installment in the Armored Core franchise, bringing players high-octane mechanized warfare as they pilot massive machines and battle against one another for mech supremacy. The release is made by From Software and released by Bandai Namco.
- Franchise
- Armored Core
- Released
- August 25, 2023
- How Long To Beat
- 17 Hours
Baldur’s Gate 3
Read Game Rant’s Baldur’s Gate 3 Review
A game that needs no introduction, Baldur’s Gate 3 has somehow managed to become 2023’s best video game according to many fans, The Game Awards, and much of the general industry. A truly innovative turn-based RPG, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the closest gamers can get to experiencing a game of Dungeons and Dragons come to life, with a plethora of branching paths, a ton of great dialogue, some now-iconic performances, and a surprisingly deep combat system, all of which offers more player-freedom than any other game out there right now.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a Dungeons and Dragons inspired RPG developed and published by Larian Studios. Featuring both a single player and cooperative element, players create their character by selecting a starting class, take on quests, level up, and engage in turn-based combat using the D&D 5th edition rule set.
- Franchise
- Baldur’s Gate
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- How Long To Beat
- 30 Hours
- Metascore
- 96
Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty
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It’s been over three years since Cyberpunk 2077 was first released, and by all accounts, CD Projekt Red has finally redeemed itself. After constant updates throughout the last few years, Cyberpunk 2077 is now the game that fans always hoped it would be, and that was cemented with the release of the Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 patch which arrived right alongside the long-awaited Phantom Liberty DLC expansion. New abilities, new mechanics, new vehicles, new weapons, and an expansive new story quest, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty finally delivers the quintessential Cyberpunk experience.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Phantom Liberty is a new spy-thriller adventure for Cyberpunk 2077. When the orbital shuttle of the President of the New United States of America is shot down over the deadliest district of Night City, there’s only one person who can save her — you. Become V, a cyberpunk for hire, and dive deep into a tangled web of espionage and political intrigue, unraveling a story that connects the highest echelons of power with the brutal world of black-market mercenaries.
Dave the Diver
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A game that feels as though it’s been tailor-made for the Steam Deck, Dave the Diver sees players take control of the titular mariner as he spends his days catching fish, and his nights running a sushi restaurant. Equal parts action title and management game, Dave the Diver has a central loop that immediately hooks players, and keeps them dangling for hours, coming back time and time again to fish, serve, upgrade, repeat, and it’s this loop that feels so tailor-made for the Steam Deck’s shorter play-sessions.
Dave the Diver
Dave the Diver puts players into the shoes of a deep-sea diver whose in charge of a sushi restaurant.
- Released
- June 28, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Mintrocket
- Publisher(s)
- Mintrocket
- Genre(s)
- Simulation , Adventure
- How Long To Beat
- 23 Hours
- Steam User Rating
- 97%
Dead Cells x Castlevania
Released back in March, the Dead Cells x Castlevania DLC might have gone a bit under the radar this year, but it’s absolutely worth picking up, both for fans of the franchise and those who have never played a Castlevania in their life. Belonging to the Metroidvania genre from the very beginning, a Castlevania crossover was always on the cards for Dead Cells, and the final product was well worth the wait. New bosses, new settings, new playable characters, and new weapons can all be found in this DLC, all of which come from the beloved Castlevania franchise. Those desperately waiting for a new Castlevania game need to try this DLC.
Dead Cells
Motion Twin’s roguelite Dead Cells is an old-school-style platformer game ideal for Metroidvania fans. As players progress through Dead Cells’ multitude of non-linear levels and areas, they can level and upgrade their character through new abilities and weapons, as well as spice up their gameplay with spells. Combat remains challenging, with five Souls-level difficulty bosses.
- Released
- August 7, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Motion Twin
- Publisher(s)
- Motion Twin
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
Diablo 4
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Another game that feels tailor-made for shorter play sessions on the Steam Deck, Diablo 4 is one of the best games of 2023, and one of the best games that came to Steam Deck this year. While its microtransactions and live-service seasonal approach isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, Diablo 4 is still an excellent sequel at its core, and those mechanics do feel a little more natural on a handheld device like the Steam Deck, where players can put in an hour or two at random intervals throughout the day.
Diablo 4
Diablo 4 is an action RPG developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It’s the fourth mainline game in the franchise and lets players pick from five playable classes as they explore an open world Sanctuary in order to take down Lilith, while also completing quests, leveling up, and gaining better loot.
- Released
- June 6, 2023
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG , Hack and Slash
- Metascore
- 88
Dredge
One of the best Indie games of 2023, Dredge is another maritime-focused title, but it strays into much darker territory than Dave the Diver. The core gameplay loop of Dredge sees players take control of a fishing boat, head out into open waters, catch some fish, and return home to exchange them for upgrades. These upgrades will let players stray further out into uncharted waters, and the further they go, the more Lovecraftian things get. Addictive, fun, and uniquely dark, Dredge is a must-play for Steam Deck owners.
Dredge
Dredge is a single-player fishing adventure game developed by Black Salt Games and published by Team17.
- Released
- March 31, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Black Salt Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco
- How Long To Beat
- 10 Hours
- Metascore
- 81
Octopath Traveler 2
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One of the most underrated games of 2023, Octopath Traveler 2 was released back in February and was quickly overshadowed by the games that soon flooded in after it. Much like its predecessor, Octopath Traveler 2 puts players in charge of a band of eight unique playable characters, each with their own combat abilities and narrative path. From a gorgeous pixel art style to some great character writing and some engaging turn-based combat, Octopath Traveler 2 is a great game, and one that lends itself well to the Steam Deck.
Octopath Traveler 2
The next installment in the Octopath Traveler series sees eight new adventurers setting out across the lands of Solistia to make their mark on the world. Developer Square Enix and Acquire unveil new and exciting 2D and 3D visuals for this expansive traditional RPG.
- Franchise
- Octopath Traveler
- Released
- February 24, 2023
- ESRB
- Rated T for Teen for Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol and Tobacco.
- How Long To Beat
- 60 Hours
- Metascore
- 84
Resident Evil 4 Remake
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Somehow managing to achieve the possible yet again, Resident Evil 4 Remake not only lives up to the legacy of the beloved Resident Evil 4 2005 original, but exceeds it in several major ways from gameplay mechanics to story cohesion to boss fights and set pieces. While this list is full of excellent titles, none show the sheer impressiveness of the Steam Deck quite like Resident Evil 4 Remake, with it running very well on the handheld.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
A remake of 2005’s Resident Evil 4, Capcom’s game follows Leon S. Kennedy as he heads on a mission to save the President of the United States’ daughter from the Los Illuminados cult. Blending survival horror and third-person shooter gameplay, Resident Evil 4 (2023) will build on the success of 2019’s Resident Evil 2 and 2020’s Resident Evil 3 remakes.
- Released
- March 24, 2023
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- ESRB
- M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- How Long To Beat
- 16 Hours
- Metascore
- 93
Sea of Stars
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Granted Best Indie Game of the Year at the 2023 Game Awards, Sea of Stars lives up to that lofty title. Yet another turn-based RPG, Sea of Stars managed to stand out from the crowd by wearing its classic RPG influences on its sleeve. Heavily inspired by games like Chrono Trigger, Sea of Stars delivers a wonderfully vibrant world full of colorful characters and creatures, alongside a fun turn-based combat system, and a solid story.
Sea of Stars
Set in the same world as 2018’s The Messenger, Sabotage Studio’s Sea of Stars is an RPG that takes inspiration from Japanese classics like Chrono Trigger. Featuring a dynamic turn-based combat system and platforming-based exploration, Sea of Stars is an ambitious and gorgeous addition to the role-playing genre.
- Released
- August 29, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Sabotage
- Publisher(s)
- Sabotage
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language
- How Long To Beat
- 28 Hours
- Metascore
- 87
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
