I would like to consider myself an avid gamer. However, in recent years, my focus has shifted to console platforms. Specifically, the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Their ease of use makes gaming effortless and when I have been offered a game, I would always steer away from PC. Even though I have a powerful enough gaming PC, I find playing games on the same computer I sit for at work all day is not as enjoyable.
Back in early 2022, a new device hit the scene and was set to shake up the gaming market. Known as the Steam Deck, the portable device from Valve brings a whole new gaming experience and is just the thing I was looking for. Unfortunately, it was not available in Australia and those interested were left with importing it from overseas, usually without any warranty or support.
That is, until now!
In October 2024, Valve announced the official release of the Steam Deck in Australia, becoming available from November 19. And, to coincide with the announcement, Valve setup a first look to eager punters at this year’s PAX AUS.
After getting a hands-on look at the convention, I loved what I saw and received a review unit from the lovely folks at Valve, the 1TB OLED version.
The Steam Deck is available in three different versions: A 256GB LCD model with a 7” 60Hz display for $649, a 512GB OLED unit with a 7.4” 90Hz display for $899 and a 1TB OLED unit also with a 7.4” 90Hz display for $1,049. Each version comes with a Carrying Case and Steam profile bundle, a 45W USB-C Power supply, and a 50Whr battery for the two OLED models with the LCD model having a 40Whr battery.
Whilst each of the Steam Deck Models look physically similar, the premium anti-glare etched glass screen on the 1TB OLED model is super crisp. The anti-glare works extremely well, allowing me to chill on the couch in varied light and still have a clear view of the game on screen. This version also comes with a handy liner for the carrying case that doubles as a screen cleaner.
My first impression of the Steam Deck at PAX AUS was how light it was to hold. That impression was upheld when I received my own unit. The ergonomics of the grip make long periods of gameplay enjoyable. The battery also holds up against extended periods of play. Although, this will vary depending on the games that you play and what resources they demand from the device.
One of the best things about the Steam Deck is the access to your full Steam Library. Plus, the powerful chipsets within will make almost any game in your library playable. The custom AMD APU combined with the dedicated GPU and 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, packs enough performance to run most recent releases, including AAA graded games.
However, for my own gameplay testing, my experience was mixed. But I feel this is more due to the fact that the new Indiana Jones game titled The Great Circle had only just been released and was not yet optimised for the Steam Deck. The game ran, but the graphics were heavily reduced, and the fan kicked into overdrive. In saying that, there are a wide range of high-end games that do work.
Thankfully, Steam have made these easily identifiable with a compatibility flag on each game. Green ‘tick’ means Verified for Steam Deck, yellow ‘i’ icon depicts games that are considered Playable, and a ‘?’ icon for those games that remain Untested. There is even a ‘cross’ icon for those that are identified as Not Recommended.
With an aging Steam Library, this didn’t leave me with many options to play. One of my favourite games of all time, Age of Empires, isn’t suited and most of the Indie Games I have, are marked as Untested. I did give some of these a go and they all ran quite well, leaving some of the suggested compatibility to chance.
There are two games that were marked as Verified that I put through their paces. The first, Alien Isolation and the second being Aperture Desk Job, the game that came with the Steam Deck.
Aperture Desk Job is a brilliant little game, modelled after the Half-Life and Portal universe, which guides the player through the controls and capabilities of the Steam Deck. Throughout the hilarious script, great voice acting and fun gameplay, I learnt how to use the controls from the twin thumb-sticks on either side, the standard directional-pad, to the triggers and bumper buttons, and even the motion controls. A feature I didn’t even knew existed until I played this game!
After playing this one through, I dived right into Alien Isolation and I was instantly blown away by the graphic capabilities of this hand-held machine. And being a first-person game, I was unsure how it would fair with the controller-like usage. Again, I was blown away by how smooth and responsive the controls were. The sound is just as impressive, the stereo audio with embedded DSP is perfect for hearing that Xenomorph crawling through the vents. The speakers are not hidden at the top or bottom edge either. They are placed directly on the front, in prime position of either side of the screen, making for a great listening experience.
However, if you are more of a headphones on kind of gamer, the Steam Deck has that covered too. Not only does it have a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone/headset jack built in, but you can connect your favourite Bluetooth Audio too. You can even connect a USB-C audio device that supports Multichannel audio.
The hand-held playability of the Steam Deck is like nothing I have experienced in the market before. Not only are there the standard inputs as noted above, but there are two trackpads on either side of the screen. These two inputs allow for scrolling, mouse tracking, and come built with haptic feedback. Plus, the generous 7.4” OLED display is also a touch screen, making text input a breeze.
Now, there is much more to the Steam Deck than just a hand-held Steam Library, it is also dockable via the USB-C port. Meaning, with the help of some accessories, you can connect the Steam Deck to a Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse to use like a regular Gaming PC. I tested this via a USB-C adapter with HDMI and a USB hub built in and it worked better than I expected. I was even able to connect it to a Capture Card, meaning I could effectively use the Steam Deck on live streams. There is also an official Steam Deck Docking Station available that provides dual-monitor support, network connectivity, 2x USB-A and 1x USB-C.
Another connectivity marvel is the proprietary Steam Link service that with a compatible TV, you can live stream the device to your television. Wonderful for those multi-player games such as Jackbox, making it the perfect device to take to your next game night with family or friends.
Behind the Steam skin is a Linux OS that you can access from the Power Menu. This had me curious as to what else I could do with the Steam Deck, and being Linux, you can do just about anything. Including installing Linux OS compatible game titles that are not available in the Steam Library, and other applications like VLC, and browse the web.
Overall, I am incredibly impressed by the functionality, usability and performance from the Steam Deck. It feels lighter in your hands than the OLED Nintendo Switch and it just feels better ergonomically. The 1TB available space is more than most handhelds offer, even more than my Desktop PC has. There is even a MicroSD slot that can be used to offload games to, giving you even more space when you need it. The screen is super crisp, and the sound packs a punch. You can even switch the A/B buttons around to a Nintendo layout if you wish. Valve have really thought of everything with the Steam Deck, catering to every gamer.
It’s so great that the Steam Deck is finally available here in Australia! I am thankful to the wonderful folks over at Valve for sending me a review unit to put through its paces. I cannot wait to jump back into some of my Steam Library and can do so almost anywhere I like.
One thing is for sure, on my next trip, I will be leaving the Nintendo Switch at home and taking the Steam Deck with me instead.
The Steam Deck is available in Australia directly from the Steam Store. With an estimated delivery window of 3-5 days, the long wait is most definitely over for Aussie gamers.
For more information, including a full tech-spec rundown, please visit:
https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck
Prices are correct at the time of publishing.
