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).

Best Switch Games 2023
Related
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

Read Game ZXC's Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Review

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.

Baldur's Gate 3

Read Game ZXC'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.

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty

Read Game ZXC's Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review

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
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

Read Game ZXC's Dave the Diver Review

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.

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.

Diablo 4

Read Game ZXC's Diablo 4 Review

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.

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.

Octopath Traveler 2

Read Game ZXC's Octopath Traveler 2 Review

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.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Read Game ZXC's Resident Evil 4 Review

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.

Sea of Stars

Read Game ZXC's Sea of Stars Review

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.