PC Gaming

I've now had my Steam Deck for four years.

When I first got it, I thought, "If this thing only plays a tiny fraction of my PC game library, it will be so worth it!"

Little did I realize it would play nearly all of my library. Sometimes better. As in, some games that no longer work on Windows still work on my Steam Deck.

Now the stereotype with PC gaming is that it's all about specs. As in, chasing pixel counts and framerates. And for some people, that is the appeal of PC gaming.

But let me tell you, my Steam Deck has been locked at 800p and 60fps -- except on the very rare occasions I docked it to a TV. And the experience has been nothing short of magical.

You know how amazing it is to play Commander Keen on a handheld? Or Serious Sam? Or Septerra Core?

And it's not just about old games. There are indies like The Binding of Isaac that really come alive with a handheld.

Admittedly, I don't play a whole lot of recent AAA titles. But Battlefield 4 on the Steam Deck? Amazing.

"Amazing" pretty much the word to sum up everything. I've got far more out of my Steam Deck than I ever dreamed.

Comparing my Steam Deck to newer handhelds like my wife's Legion Go, it's clearly showing its age. But I ain't letting it go. Not for any time soon.

There's too many memories wrapped up there. I spent days on my porch, enjoying the sunset. Nights spent on a park bench. Visits to the beach.

But also, keeping my old friend around gives me an opportunity I never had previously: the ability to go multiplayer with my wife.

That's right, while on vacation, I'm looking forward to PvP sessions. Perhaps while sipping lattes in a hotel lounge. Or right by a pool.

It's been worth it.

Verdict with Bazzite on Legion Go?

This is a massive improvement over Windows 11—not small.

The most immediate upgrade is the sound. On Windows, the sound was shrill and tinny, to the point I thought this was a hardware issue. But on Bazzite, I finally have rich and full sound.

The other big benefit is suspend. Now I just press the power button, the game stops and the screen turns off. Press it again, it resume from where I left off.

But also, unlike Windows, I can entirely navigate using the controller. Right trigger is left mouse click, for example. No need for touchscreen navigation.

Battery improvements are also tremendous. Bazzite sips less juice. AAA games can be played noticeably longer, indie way more longer.

Shockingly, I see frame improvements. Not small either. Imagine that, an OS change results in more frames!

Took me awhile to figure out Bazzite. But it was worth it.

It’s everything I want in an Xbox handheld.

It runs Windows. But it’s not stock Windows but an optimized version for gaming. And you have access to Steam, GOG, EGS, itch.io–and of course, Xbox Game Pass.

The Zen 2 Extreme chip is a giant step up in terms of mobile APUs, and offers a 30% gain on the Zen 1 in terms of graphical performance.

Apparently, people who’ve tried it say it feels like an Xbox controller. Which is good. I like the Xbox controller.

Now am I going to buy it?

Unlikely. My household already has two handhelds, and they each fit our needs very well.

But you know what? I’m glad Microsoft is taking the handheld market seriously. Both Nintendo and Valve should feel pressure to perform.

• Eyes of Hellfire: A co-op gothic horror game by Blumhouse
• Mandrake: A narrative farming sim by Failbetter Games
• Ambrosia Sky: A first-person sci-fi "clean-'em-up" narrative adventure set in a crumbling space colony
• FBC: Firebreak: An upcoming co-operative shooter by Remedy Entertainment[2].
• Den of Wolves: A spiritual successor to PayDay by 10 Chambers
• 007: First Light: IO Interactive’s James Bond game
• Farever: A co-op action adventure game from Shiro Games
• Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition: A definitive edition with expansions and improvements, releasing July 15, 2025
• Fresh Tracks: A rhythm game about heavy metal and demon slaying, releasing August 12, 2025
• TermiNull Brigade: A demo available now, featuring anime ninjas and comic book style action
• SkyRig: A sci-fi systems-builder releasing in 2026
• Kaizen: A Factory Story: An open-ended puzzle automation game set in 1980s Japan, releasing July 14, 2025
• Dawn Apart: A space colony and factory sim with destructible environments, early access July 14, 2025
• Modulus: A factory automation game launching early access October 22, 2025
• Generation Exile: A turn-based narrative city-builder set on a generation ship, demo available now
• Void/Breaker: An adrenaline-fueled roguelite FPS releasing August 20, 2025
• Grave Seasons: A narrative farming sim with a supernatural serial killer twist, releasing 2026
• Deadwire: A top-down tactical shooter with hacking mechanics, releasing September 2025
• Dinkum: A survival life sim set in an Australian-inspired island, available now
• Void Martyrs: A grimdark survival horror about a nun in space, demo available now[6].
• Clover Pit: A rogue-lite slot machine game, demo available now
• Eclipsium: A retro-inspired horror game with surreal environments, demo available now
• Abyssus: A cooperative FPS roguelite set in a sunken civilization, releasing August 12, 2025
• Ascendant: A fast-paced capture-the-flag FPS with biopunk elements
• Mewgenics: An endless cat breeding RPG from the creator of The Binding of Isaac
• Dead Reset: A blood-soaked interactive horror with a death-loop mechanic, releasing September 2025
• Bernband: A sci-fi exploration sim
• Wanderburg: A minimalist open-world roguelike with castles on wheels

First thought “mouse mode” was a gimmick, but this was one of the best mobile experiences I’ve ever had.

Also, this is a legit Switch 2 killer.

It has a 8.8” screen, runs at 1600p with a 144hz refresh rate. You can also customize the power draw too.

On top of that, you can connect the “Joy-Cons” together, dock it to a TV—and did I mention mouse mode?

cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/13854147

And so it begins

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