Steam Deck
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Steam Deck.
Latest coverage
Dragon Quest 11 is (almost) the ideal Switch 2 conversion
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition offers an impressive conversion for the Nintendo Switch 2, showcasing strong performance optimization and visual improvements over the original PlayStation 4 release. Despite the lack of an upgrade path for existing Switch owners and the need to repurchase the game, it stands out as a premier handheld experience, particularly on the Switch 2.
Contain the Chaos: ‘CONTROL Resonant’ Launches on GeForce NOW
Remedy Entertainment's CONTROL Resonant is now available on GeForce NOW, allowing players to experience the game's warped Manhattan setting and supernatural abilities via cloud streaming. A special 12-month GeForce NOW Ultimate membership bundle includes the game at no extra cost until September 27. Additionally, GeForce NOW support is coming soon to Googlebooks, and the anime-style RPG DragonSword: Awakening is among nine new games added to the service.
Best early Black Friday retro deals 2026: Consoles, handhelds, and accessories I'd peek at ahead of the sales
This guide offers advice on finding the best early Black Friday deals for retro gaming consoles, handhelds, and accessories in 2026. It emphasizes focusing on smaller, impactful purchases like controllers and upscalers rather than original vintage hardware, and suggests checking retailers like Amazon, AliExpress, and Woot for potential savings.
Meta’s $1,300 VR Glasses Could Be The Most Expensive Way To Play Xbox Games
Meta announced its new VR Glasses, a lightweight headset designed for portability, launching in Spring 2027 for $1,300. The glasses feature 5K Micro OLED lenses and can access the Meta Quest catalog and Xbox Cloud Gaming. While offering advanced features, the high price point is highlighted as a significant obstacle compared to existing Meta headsets and competitors.
The Steam Machine handles Control Resonant capably, but the promised Steam Deck support is a letdown
Control Resonant performs capably on a Steam Machine at 1080p with adjusted settings, achieving playable framerates. However, the game fails to run smoothly on the Steam Deck, even with optimized 'Handheld' presets and upscaling, resulting in sub-30fps performance and significant stutters, making it not recommended for Valve's handheld.
Doggy Don’t Care Review – Destructive devilry from a dog
Doggy Don't Care is a charming indie sandbox game where players control Charlie, a dog tasked with causing destruction while his owner is away. The game features simple platforming, objective-based badge collecting, and humorous interactions, all presented with a colorful, low-budget art style. While it offers a satisfying, short, one-sitting experience and is well-polished, it doesn't introduce many groundbreaking mechanics to stand out in the crowded indie market.
Prebuilt Steam Machine faceplate screens are here, delivering decent, surprisingly cheaper alternatives to Valve-approved DIY builds
JSAUX has released new E-Ink and Pixel Matrix faceplates for the Steam Deck, offering alternatives to DIY customization projects. These pre-built screens provide display modes for performance monitoring, time, weather, and more, with software integration expected in early October. While the E-Ink model is better for photos and has a faster refresh rate than Valve's own Inkterface project, the Pixel Matrix offers color and retro charm.
Best Games to Play When You Only Have 30 Minutes
This article discusses how to find the best games for short play sessions, focusing on titles that can be enjoyed in 30-minute windows. It highlights genres like roguelites and certain multiplayer games, along with specific examples like Balatro, Rocket League, and Stardew Valley, emphasizing games with quick restarts, low re-entry costs, and constant saving.
Nighthawks review
Nighthawks is a well-written vampire RPG that blends text-based gameplay with detective and horror elements. Developed by The Curiosity Engine and published by Wadjet Eye, the game offers a unique narrative experience where vampires are known to exist. Despite some minor pacing issues with time limits, the game is praised for its engaging writing, compelling sidequests, and its ability to deconstruct vampire tropes.
Evening Reading - September 21, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Silent Hill: Townfall and Samurai Pizza Cats, a look at World of Warcraft: Forever, and a delay for Blighted. The article also touches on AMD's market cap milestone, Bungie's plans for Destiny, and Sony's push for digital-only sales.
Steam Frame SteamOS 0.3.0 patch notes improve charging in off & sleep modes
Valve has released SteamOS version 0.3.0 for the Steam Deck, addressing a slow charging issue reported by users when the device is turned off or in sleep mode. The update also includes improvements to controller tracking, system stability, and VR performance.
Acer's flagship 8-inch handheld just hit the UK, but you'll need to wait until next month in the US
Acer's 8-inch Predator Atlas 8 handheld gaming PC has launched in the UK for £1,299, with a US release expected next month for around $1,700. The device features an Intel Arc G3 Extreme chipset, 24GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, but its high price point is compared unfavorably to competitors like the ASUS ROG Ally X.
The Steam Frame’s first post-launch update speeds up charging and ungarbles a mic bug
Valve has released the first post-launch software update for the Steam Frame VR headset, bringing improvements to charging speed, controller tracking, and fixing a microphone audio bug. The update, SteamOS 0.3.0, also enhances system stability and addresses UX issues related to motion smoothing.
Creative Pebble Plus speakers are still a budget GOAT in 2026, but should you put up with their annoying cable clutter for $30?
The Creative Pebble Plus speakers offer exceptional value and balanced audio for under $30, making them a budget-friendly choice for PC setups. However, their 2019 design suffers from significant cable clutter and a lack of modern features like Bluetooth, limiting their appeal to users with permanent desk setups.
Steam Frame's odd charging behaviour gets patched: cuts recharge times in half in some instances
Valve has released a new SteamOS update for the Steam Deck that significantly improves charging times when the device is off or sleeping. Previously, charging could take over two hours, but the update addresses an issue where charging was slower when the device was powered down, effectively cutting recharge times in half in some instances.
Loftia Brings Cozy Multiplayer Life to Floating Islands
Loftia, a cozy multiplayer life-simulation game set on floating islands, is set to enter Early Access on November 3, 2026, for PC and Mac via Steam, with Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck support planned. The game features farming, fishing, crafting, home decoration, NPC interaction, and cooperative neighborhood building with group quests and exploration.
Nightdive Studios interview: what to expect with Thief: The Dark Project Remastered and Sin: Reloaded ahead of Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch launch
Nightdive Studios is preparing remasters of Thief: The Dark Project and Sin: Reloaded for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch. Project manager Grover Wimberly IV discussed the selection process, the technical aspects of the remasters, and the importance of game preservation. Thief: The Dark Project Remastered is slated for winter, with Sin: Reloaded launching September 24, 2026.
I wanted to adore the Epomaker GX1 headset, but its tinny sound and middling software put a stop to our audio love affair
The Epomaker GX1 headset offers a stylish, comfortable design and impressive battery life at an affordable price point. However, its tinny audio quality, muddy microphone, and unreliable software prevent it from being a recommended purchase.
The Pimax Dream Air costs double the Steam Frame, and while its visuals are worth every penny, its performance demands and inconsistencies make it hard to recommend
The Pimax Dream Air VR headset offers exceptional visual fidelity and a lightweight design, but its high price, performance demands, and software inconsistencies make it difficult to recommend. Despite its stunning visuals, frequent crashes and volatile performance, even on high-end hardware, detract significantly from the experience.
Control Resonant review: A superbly strange action-RPG that'll make you feel tiny and godly at once
Control Resonant is a surprisingly successful gamble for Remedy Entertainment, transforming the franchise into an open-world action RPG with dynamic melee combat. The game features a compelling narrative centered on Dylan Faden, a rich, reality-bending world reminiscent of the original's atmosphere, and satisfying progression systems. Despite some minor technical issues and performance problems on Steam Deck, the game's bold design and engaging gameplay are highly praised.
