With more and more titles getting added to the Steam Deck’s verified library, gamers are spoilt for choice when it comes to what AAA games to play on the handheld system. There may be no verified Call of Duty games right now, but there are a bunch of shooters that have been given the Deck’s green light of approval.
There is something very special about booting up a shooter on a handheld device, and there are loads to choose from on the Deck, even ones that haven’t been verified, or are unsupported at this time. Verified games work great on the Steam Deck, and these are the best shooters to play right now.
8 Deathloop
Deathloop is a unique shooter made by Bethesda Softworks that was originally released on PC, Xbox Series X/S and PS5 in September 2021. It arrived as a verified Steam Deck title in 2022 and is a joy to play on Valve’s handheld powerhouse.
Players take control of assassin Colt, who finds himself stuck in an intriguing time loop. The gameplay is outstanding, and the gun mechanics are top-notch in this first-person shooter. Deathloop looks great and feels right at home on the Steam Deck.
7 Doom
Since coming out in 2016, Bethesda’s Doom has been available to play on a whole host of platforms. Although the Nintendo Switch version was solid, playing Doom handheld on the Steam Deck is an entirely different experience.
Doom looks great on the Deck, and the shooter can be enjoyed at 60fps, although lowering the frame rate will give the player a smoother experience. Whatever settings the gamer chooses, the gameplay remains as solid as ever. Doom is a classic first-person shooter, and this version is a must-play on the Steam Deck.
6 Doom Eternal
Just like Doom, 2020’s Doom Eternal also runs great on the Steam Deck. Two years after its release on PC, Doom Eternal was given Valve’s verified stamp of approval on the Deck. Playing this shooter on the Steam Deck at high graphics and smooth 60fps frame rate is certainly something special.
Doom Eternal is an excellent shooter, with fast-paced gameplay and a solid story. The graphics are outstanding on consoles, but displaying them on the Deck’s smaller screen makes them pop even more. Fans of the series should try Eternal on the Steam Deck.
5 Wolfenstein: The New Order
Wolfenstein: The New Order is one of those older type of games that works incredibly well on the Deck. Playing this verified title on Valve’s impressive handheld is a match made in heaven. The New Order originally released in 2014, but the graphics still hold up well today.
Due to its age, the graphic settings can be set to the highest, and the gamer will get 60fps no problem. This is a fantastic shooter that has been given a new lease of the life on the Steam Deck.
4 Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
After playing through Wolfenstein: The New Order, boot up Wolfenstein II: the New Colossus, which runs like a dream on the Steam Deck. This particular game in the franchise is set in a fictional 1960s where Germany won the war. This shooter is also verified, and the graphics and gameplay are just excellent.
This is not the first time we have seen Wolfenstein II on a handheld, as it was released on the Nintendo Switch in June 2018. Although the port was great in its own right, the Steam Deck version beats the Switch edition hands down in every department.
3 Sniper Elite 4
The latest version is still unsupported, but Sniper Elite 4 is verified and works superbly well on the Steam Deck. This excellent third-person tactical shooter came out back in 2017, but thanks to the Deck’s handheld capabilities, playing the PS4 and Xbox One equivalent on the go is an amazing experience.
Sniper Elite 4 was rated highly at the time of release, and five years on the sniping game is still an outstanding play. The fact this is a verified title makes this another must-play shooter on the Steam Deck.
2 Apex Legends
Apex Legends is verified on the Steam Deck, and this competitive shooter is great to play on the go. Several similar games have the same idea, with Fortnite arguably being the most popular free-to-play battle royale shooter, but that title is unavailable on Steam.
Not to worry, though, as Apex Legends more than makes up for it. The Steam Deck version runs smoothly thanks to its verification, and this game can be played on the highest settings. Apex is well worth trying out on Valve’s handheld system.
1 Payday 2
Payday 2 has seemingly been around forever. Despite its original release date being almost a decade ago, the second entry in the Payday series has grown in stature over the years and remains an extremely popular game to play.
Payday fans will be pleased to know that Payday 2 is a fully-verified title on the Steam Deck. With the Deck’s capabilities, players can enjoy the heist game at high settings and at 60fps. Due to its green tick of approval, Payday 2 is definitely worth trying on the Deck.