Steam Deck: Valve’s Handheld Gaming PC

[Draco1962]

https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-deck-hands-on-impressions-details-valve-handheld-gaming-pc

 

[ClassicGMR]

I like it. I will be watching this one develop.

[tthurman]

 

[RIP-Felix]

I think this is awesome! Price, considering what you get (essectially a quad core widows capable PC) is actually pretty good. Even for the top model.

I'm extremely tempted. This looks to be the best solution for my handheld GameEX emulation dreams. The built in controller and track pads functionality it the real kicker for me. Valve is good about fully customized button layouts and controls in general. They have alot more experience and money backing their controllers. So it's not going to be like a crappy 3rd party controller.

Retroarch on my phone using an 8BitDo SN30pro is my goto mobile emulation experience now. That's great, but android isn't! A full fledged windows PC with all my digital library accessible via download is a much better prospect. I like that it docks like the switch - Super cool! IDK, man...this is a real contender!

If this is a product they will keep producing, I think I'll pick one up. I don't think I'll be a day one buyer, but if they're still available after the holiday season I'll get one.

[Draco1962]

But does it play PONG?

[tthurman]

 

[tthurman]

 

 

[ClassicGMR]

Yeah... I went ahead and pre-ordered a 512GB. I couldn't resist. My wife said "Merry Christmas AND Happy Birthday. That's what you get." .... WELL OK!

[tthurman]

[Draco1962]

I'm going to have to start a blog with affiliate links!

[tthurman]

 

 

[tthurman]

 

[ClassicGMR]

I have had my deck for about a month now and I think it is OK for Steam games. A bit underpowered for current games but I enjoy it. Most of my library on Steam was free or Humble Bundle cheapness and nothing is newer than last year at best. I have played Skyrim SE, Bookworm, Plants vs Zombies, Worms Armageddon, Defender's Quest, Memoir '44, The Four Kings Casino and Slots and Talisman Digital Edition with no issues. Unfortunately Ticket to Ride will not let me log in at all so all you can play is solo games.

 

I installed EmuDeck and have had great success with the emulation through Dreamcast. PS2 is still too spotty to call good. I installed Emulation Station on top of EmuDeck and added it to my Steam library so it's integrated pretty well - looks like it belongs in the game list!

 

Last night I installed Bottles and used that to install Ur-Quan Masters v.0.8.0. It has an option to add it to the Non-Steam menu but it will not launch from there. You have to go into Desktop mode and then launch it from Bottles. Beyond that hiccup it runs flawlessly. (UQM has linux installers but they are outdated and just didn't work for me hence the WIN installation.)

 

I am exceptionally impressed with the Steam Deck overall. I just wish it had a longer battery life. Some games drain the hell out of it. For that reason alone I'm STILL not ready to retire my PSP 1000 yet! Someone get Todd Howard on the phone and tell him to get off his ass and release the PSP port of Skyrim to us!! Damn it! 🤣