Steam Deck: The Portable PC in the Palm of your Hand
The Steam Deck is a portable handheld gaming device that allows users to play their favorite PC games on the go.
In other words, a Hulk like Nintendo Switch!
I bought my Deck during their 1 year anniversary sale and it’s the best decision I ever made.
Ever since I was a kid, I always preferred playing games on handheld devices like GameBoys, DS, and PSP over TV consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, GameCube, and Wii. Even though the console games were more powerful, there was something about being able to take my game with me wherever I went that made it more enjoyable and convenient.
That’s why when the Nintendo Switch first came out, it was revolutionary because now you can play games both in handheld mode and on your TV. The only problem is that Nintendo can be limited, especially in terms of their gaming library and graphics
I will admit, it’s not a perfect device. The PC will and can handle heavy graphics options, making them the best way to play if you want crystal-clear resolutions and realistic graphics. However, the Steam Deck can still handle plenty. To me, graphics aren’t everything; it doesn’t have to look lifelike. As long as the game runs smoothly, I’m fine with it. The Steam Deck runs smoothly with little to no issue.
Similar to a PC, you have the option to adjust graphical settings in case a game doesn’t run smoothly. The great thing is that there are plenty of fans who share their own specifications to assist others in improving game performance if any issues arise. Thanks to the Steam community, you can ask questions or search for previous discussions regarding a specific game you’re trying to play. Even Reddit has their own sub-page for you to look at.
The Steam Deck operates on the Linux Operating System, but if you prefer Windows, you can download and set up your own Windows partition. Simply visit YouTube or any Steam Deck community page and you can find detailed tutorials guiding you step by step on how to download and install it.
What’s also amazing is the ability to download emulators!
Before I continue, I MUST point out that emulating games is 100% LEGAL!
However, pirating games that you don’t already own is ILLEGAL.
If you own a physical copy, you are allowed to download the digital version without any issues. So, if you don’t have the physical copy of any of these games, DO NOT visit online ROM-sharing websites or search for tutorials on these matters on YouTube or Reddit. Otherwise, you might end up like Luffy, trying to become the Pirate King!
That being said, you can download all sorts of emulators. From the early days of SNES to the current Nintendo Switch. It is tedious to get some games working, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work. I find that the PS2, GameCube, and all the handhelds work fine with some small tweaks that you can find on YouTube! It isn’t hard, just tedious if you’re not accustomed to making system changes on your devices. But once you get that stuff sorted, it’s a handheld with all kinds of systems on it
As of right now, I have bought Hogwarts Legacy, and I must say I’m having a great time playing it. It’s incredibly enjoyable to explore Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the surrounding world, using magic to solve everyday tasks and survive against enemies. The game is visually stunning, with a few minor annoyances, but overall it is very playable. I can’t provide further details since I haven’t finished it yet, but I plan to take my time as there’s no need to rush.
I’ve also bought the Middle Earth series for only $7.99 (after tax). That’s right, two games for only $7.99 during a sale. Steam is known for its incredible sales, where games that were originally $59 can drop to $19 or even $9, depending on the game or the sale. The best part is that they consistently have sales. They offer sales for New Year, mid-winter, Valentine’s Day, Spring, St. Patrick’s Day, mid-spring, indie games, small publishers, and so on. You get the idea!
Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, is stunning on the Deck. I recently started and sometimes I forget that this is a 9 year old game, and it still looks great!
The battery life can be a little annoying, depending on the game you’re playing. A heavy graphical game can make it last around 2 hours or so, while other games like Stardew Valley or less graphically intense games could last you up to 4 hours. The device comes with a fast charger, so you can always connect it or purchase a portable charger for on-the-go convenience!
You have the option to expand the storage of your Deck by adding a micro SD card with up to 1 TB, allowing you to have more storage space!
Unfortunately, you have to purchase the mount that connects the Deck to the TV separately. However, once you do, you can connect multiple controllers and enjoy playing with your friends! You can use Xbox, PS, or even Switch controllers. If you have other consoles available, you don’t need to buy additional controllers specifically for the Deck; simply use what you already have and ask your friend to bring theirs. And if you need to get a new controller, don’t stress! There’s a wide variety of controllers available for you to choose from.
Finally, you can find all sorts of customization options to make your Deck feel personal. You can purchase skins and attach them to your handheld to show off your style! Whether you prefer a leather skin, kawaii skins, or leaving it as it is, the choice is yours
The point is, the Steam Deck is a personal device that can play numerous PC games and truly feels like a personal device that you can enjoy playing however you want! If you’re interested in buying one, head to the Steam website and order yours. If you’re still undecided, take your time to check out other reviews and explore alternate options. In my opinion, I strongly believe it is well worth the money.
Visit:
Steam Main Site: https://store.steampowered.com/
Steam Deck: https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck
Accessory: https://www.ign.com/articles/best-steam-deck-accessories
Emudeck: https://www.emudeck.com/
Community: https://steamdeck.community/
Skins: https://dbrand.com/shop/steam-deck-skins https://thegamingsetup.com/best-steam-deck-skins
