Steam Deck
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Steam Deck.
Latest coverage
The Steam Machine has a new reference in Steam's database, and it means we could be seeing it arrive very soon
Valve's Steam Machine appears to be nearing release, with four package references recently discovered in Steam's database within a reservation system code. This suggests multiple models are prepared for launch and that a release date and pricing announcement, along with pre-orders, could be imminent. Similar database entries preceded the launch of the Steam Controller, which also faced scalping issues leading to a reservation system.
Directive 8020 review: One giant leap for sci-fi body horror
Directive 8020 is a sci-fi horror game that delivers body horror and a sense of cosmic insignificance, featuring a unique 'Turning Point' system that allows players to undo decisions. The game, developed and published by Supermassive Games, is available on PC and is expected to release on May 12, 2026, for $50. The review highlights the game's branching narrative, complex characters, and gruesome death scenes, noting its improvements over previous Supermassive titles.
Get some great bullet heaven survivor-likes in the Heavenly Bullets Humble Bundle
A new Humble Bundle titled 'Heavenly Bullets' offers a collection of bullet heaven and survivor-like games for £8.85. The bundle includes titles such as Greedland, Army of Ruin, and God Of Weapons, with many rated highly on Steam and confirmed as playable on Steam Deck.
Dusk is a reverse-engineered reimplementation of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
A new open-source project called Dusk has been released, offering a reverse-engineered reimplementation of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for PC. This project allows players to experience the game on platforms like PC and Steam Deck, with a native Linux version available. Dusk does not include copyrighted assets, requiring users to provide their own copy of the original game.
An unofficial PC port of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess just released
An unofficial native PC port of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, named Dusk, has been released. This project, built on a decompilation effort that began in 2020, supports PC, iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux, offering features like higher framerates, custom models, and various gameplay tweaks.
Zelda: Twilight Princess unofficially ported to PC with lots of extra features & quality of life
An unofficial enhanced port of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, named Dusk, has been released for PC and is planned for iOS and Android. This port includes higher resolution, uncapped framerates, and numerous quality of life improvements such as gyro aiming, custom models, and Steam Deck support.
Marvel Rivals Is Not for You: 6 Solo Hero Games | TAG
This article argues that Marvel Rivals, a 6v6 hero shooter, is not suitable for solo players due to matchmaking and team dependency issues. It recommends six alternative single-player games that offer superhero fantasy, combat, or roster variety, including Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Marvel's Midnight Suns, Hi-Fi Rush, Control, Gotham Knights, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Mixtape is garbage, Don’t Listen to IGN!
The author strongly criticizes the game Mixtape, calling it 'garbage' and urging readers not to trust positive reviews from outlets like IGN. Despite being available on Xbox Game Pass, the author found the game unplayable after only five minutes due to poor dialogue, writing, and perceived inauthenticity. The article also touches on the author's website and future plans.
5 Open World Games That Leave You Alone (2026) | TAG
This guide highlights five open-world games designed to respect solo play: Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, and Horizon Forbidden West. These titles minimize social popups and integrated multiplayer, focusing instead on the player's individual experience. The article also discusses why modern open-world games often push social features, citing retention metrics and live-service monetization as key drivers.
Path of Exile 2 should hopefully be Steam Deck Verified with the next major update
Path of Exile 2's upcoming 'Return of the Ancients' update on May 29th aims to achieve Steam Deck Verified status with significant UI scaling options and performance improvements. Grinding Gear Games director Jonathan Rogers confirmed internal testing and a serious commitment to the handheld platform, though some endgame performance issues still need addressing.
Dark and Darker gets a fix for Linux / Steam Deck being unable to play certain modes
Dark and Darker has received a fix for an issue that prevented players on Linux and Steam Deck from accessing certain game modes due to new anti-cheat measures. The Season 9 update also introduced new content like a revamped Inferno, skills for Rogue and Ranger, an in-game ping system, and a new party finder. The developer, Ironmace, has also reportedly resolved previous legal disputes with Nexon.
A Global Tech Shortage Causes A Nintendo Switch 2 Price Hike
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 by $50 USD to $500 USD starting September 1 due to a global RAM shortage impacting the tech industry. This price hike follows similar adjustments by Sony for the PlayStation line and potential increases for Xbox Series X|S. The shortage is driven by high demand for AI data centers, affecting components like RAM and SSDs.
Single-Player Alternatives to Helldivers 2 (2026) | TAG
This guide recommends seven single-player games that capture the intense combat, mission structure, or cathartic violence found in Helldivers 2, without requiring multiplayer coordination. Titles like Remnant II and Deep Rock Galactic offer similar gameplay loops, while Doom Eternal and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 provide pure shooter catharsis. Returnal and Risk of Rain 2 offer run-based progression, and Metro Exodus provides a more atmospheric, deliberate experience.
Path of Exile 2 will effectively be Steam Deck verified by the end of May, which bodes very well for the prospect of a Switch 2 release
Path of Exile 2 is set to be Steam Deck verified by the end of May, with developer Grinding Gear Games implementing necessary UI scaling and default settings in patch 0.5.0. While no exploratory work has been done for a Nintendo Switch 2 release, the studio has completed all requirements for Steam Deck verification. The game is currently in early access on PC and consoles, with a full 1.0 release planned for this year.
Everything is Crab review
Everything is Crab is an action roguelike inspired by Spore's creature phase, offering a unique take on the genre with its focus on ecosystem and evolution. While praised for its creativity and visual representation of creature mutations, the game suffers from overly frequent leveling-up interruptions and slow meta-progression, making it feel more like a novelty than a long-term obsession.
Windows 11 rumored to get new mode that instantly boosts game and app performance by up to 70%, but there's a catch
Windows 11 is reportedly developing a new 'Low Latency Profile' feature that could boost app and game performance by temporarily increasing CPU frequency. This rumored mode aims to improve responsiveness for interface elements and application loading times, potentially offering significant speed increases, though it may come at the cost of minor increases in power consumption and heat.
New Slay the Spire 2 update deletes its most controversial boss fight
Mega Crit has released a new update for Slay the Spire 2 on the beta branch, removing the controversial boss The Doormaker and replacing it with a new enemy called Aeonglass. The update also introduces the game's first Bestiary, implements a two-week beta patch cycle, and includes significant balance changes, particularly buffs for the Defect character.
Even seven-year-old GPUs will be able to run Subnautica 2, according to its latest system requirements
Subnautica 2 will launch into early access on May 14, with its system requirements indicating that even older GPUs like the Nvidia GTX 1660 will be able to run the game at 1080p. The developers aim to make the game accessible on a wide range of hardware, including handheld PCs like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. The early access period is expected to last two to three years, with further optimizations planned.
Proton Experimental gets fixes for Rocket League, Crimson Desert, Helldivers 2 and more
Valve has released a new update for Proton Experimental, bringing fixes for several games including Rocket League, Crimson Desert, and Helldivers 2, improving their performance and stability on Linux and SteamOS. The update also addresses regressions found in Proton 11 beta and ensures continued compatibility with Easy Anti-Cheat for games like Rocket League.
Vehicle-building survivor-like TerraTech Legion adds a Steam Deck graphics profile and lots more tweaks
TerraTech Legion has received an update adding a dedicated graphics profile for the Steam Deck, alongside multiple graphics profiles for all platforms and a controller cursor sensitivity slider. The developer is also implementing further feedback, with future updates planned to include features for banning and scrapping unwanted blocks.
