My top 12 handheld games I played in 2025 — Indies and AAA titles I recommend for Steam Deck, Xbox Ally X, Legion Go 2, and more

With the year winding down, I found myself thinking about all the PC games I’ve gotten to play. It’s been a fantastic year for gaming, and I’ve really enjoyed diving into so many different titles – I’m already feeling a bit nostalgic about it all!

It’s frustrating that some games don’t perform well on handheld gaming PCs, and you often don’t find this out until after you’ve purchased them.

I’ve put together a list of my favorite games from this year that I played on my handheld devices, and I wanted to share it with anyone else who owns – or is planning to get – a portable gaming system. Hopefully, you’ll find something new to enjoy!

Just a heads up – a lot of these games are currently discounted, making them great options for Christmas presents!

The games listed below run well on Xbox Ally X, ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme), Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme), Legion Go, and Legion Go 2. However, they might have some problems on the Steam Deck, so I’ve noted which ones are officially verified for Steam Deck.

Little Kitty, Big City

I actually started playing this game last year, but my niece found out I had it a few months back. Since then, whenever she visits, she asks to play it on my Xbox Ally X.

It makes sense she liked it – you get to explore the world as a cat, getting into adorable and playful trouble along the way.

When my niece visited last time, we had a blast playfully causing mischief – we spent hours gently bumping into people and ‘borrowing’ things like phones and sandwiches. It’s a really relaxed and enjoyable game, and it works great on handheld devices. Plus, it’s officially verified to run well on the Steam Deck!

Amber Isle

I love relaxing games featuring adorable animals, so I was immediately drawn to Amber Isle. The game begins with a fun character creation process where you design your own dinosaur, and then you meet other dinos and learn how to make things.

This charming shopkeeping simulation runs smoothly on most handheld gaming PCs. It’s officially verified as playable on the Steam Deck, and I had a good experience with it, although the text size was a little small at times.

Kingdom of Night

I’m currently still playing this game, and after about six hours, I’m having a lot of fun with it.

I was so hyped for the last season of Stranger Things on Netflix, and that’s actually how I discovered Kingdom of Night! You can totally see the influence of Eleven and the others all over it – it’s pretty clear where the creators got their inspiration.

The game’s dark, retro art style really captures the 1980s setting, telling the story of a group of teenagers in a small town who battle terrifying supernatural forces after a girl goes missing.

The gameplay is really fun, and the story is captivating. While some aspects are a bit over-the-top – like the game being set in a made-up Miami, Arizona – it actually adds to the game’s appeal. Plus, it plays great on the go and is officially verified for the Steam Deck.

PowerWash Simulator

I finally got around to playing PowerWash Simulator, and wow, it’s incredibly satisfying! There’s something amazing about blasting dirt away until everything is sparkling clean.

I found this game to be ideal for playing while watching TV. It’s seriously addictive – I often didn’t want to stop playing! Plus, it’s officially Steam Deck verified.

The Plucky Squire

I was immediately drawn to The Plucky Squire after seeing its trailer. It’s a really charming game where you play as a beloved storybook character who gains the ability to step out of his book and into the actual world it’s based on.

I enjoyed solving smart puzzles within a funny story, all by exploring the game’s world. Plus, it works great on the Steam Deck and is officially verified, meaning it should run well on most handheld gaming PCs.

My Little Puppy

Be prepared to cry – this game is incredibly emotional. A friend recommended it to me, and since I’m a corgi owner, I knew I had to try it out.

This story follows a small dog in heaven who’s waiting for their beloved owner, or “Daddy.” While other dogs are happily reunited with their parents, this little corgi’s dad doesn’t appear. Determined to find him, the corgi sets off on a search.

This game is fairly short, and I finished it in about six hours playing through a bunch of mini-games and puzzles. It definitely made me feel a range of emotions – I laughed, got puzzled, and even shed a few tears – but I’d still recommend it.

Please be aware that this game contains surprisingly mature and potentially disturbing content, so it’s best suited for players who enjoy darker themes. Good news for those with one – it’s also verified to work on the Steam Deck!

Blue Prince

I didn’t know much about Blue Prince when I first started playing it on my Xbox Ally X, but I quickly became completely hooked on the unique mix of puzzle and roguelike gameplay.

So, I just found out I’m inheriting my uncle’s fortune – there’s a catch, of course! I have to navigate his crazy, ever-changing mansion and find Room 46. It sounds simple enough, but there’s a limit to how many moves I get each day. If I don’t make it in time, I have to start all over the next day. Honestly, that’s what makes the whole thing so addictively fun – it’s a real challenge!

This game strikes a great balance between chance and skill. You never know what rooms you’ll open or what items you’ll discover, so you’ll need to use both luck and smarts to succeed. The house is full of puzzle clues, but they’re easy to miss, so I highly recommend taking notes as you play!

It’s marked as Playable for Steam Deck, since it runs well, but some text can be hard to read.

Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo

I discovered this fun puzzle game while attending Gamescom Latam in Brazil. It has a charming art style reminiscent of the Paper Mario games, but tells a completely original and engaging story.

I played a really sweet game where you’re a snake in the afterlife, helping other spirits you meet along the way. The graphics are simple but perfect for playing on the go, and it’s officially verified to work great on the Steam Deck!

Baldur’s Gate 3

This spring, my husband and I got a friend to join us in playing the 2023 Game of the Year. We had both finished it on our own before, so this was the first time we were playing as a group—my friend and husband on computers, and me on my ROG Ally X handheld.

It was so much fun experiencing this story again! I loved seeing my friend react to the big twists, and discovering new moments based on their choices—things I would have done differently myself. It could get pretty wild, but that’s what made it so enjoyable.

Baldur’s Gate 3 works great on handheld devices like the Steam Deck, and is officially verified for it. If you’re a fan of turn-based fantasy role-playing games, I highly recommend trying it out on a handheld – it’s even more fun when you play with friends!

Dave the Diver

I recently got around to playing Dave the Diver on my Xbox after seeing it was released on the platform this year. It had been on my list of games to try for a while, and I enjoyed it on my Xbox Ally X.

I quickly became engrossed in the game’s routine: spending my days diving and catching fish, then using those fish to run a sushi restaurant at night.

This game is incredibly enjoyable, and I stayed hooked for weeks thanks to its constant surprises. Plus, it’s officially verified to work great on the Steam Deck.

Minecraft

My friends and I occasionally revisit Minecraft, and it’s always a lot of fun. We either build huge projects, like castles with roller coasters, or go on adventures to discover new creatures, landscapes, and hidden things in the game.

I’ve spent quite a few hours gaming on both the Xbox Ally X and the Legion Go 2, and they perform really well. While they aren’t officially supported on Steam (so they don’t have Steam Deck verification), you can still get them working on the Steam Deck by installing them in desktop mode and tweaking a few settings.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

I initially played Expedition 33 on my ROG Ally X when it launched, and while it was playable, I experienced occasional freezes and crashes. Thankfully, a later update improved performance specifically for handheld devices.

Playing the game on the new Xbox Series X was a huge improvement. It’s fantastic to be able to relax in bed while skillfully blocking attacks and fully enjoying this incredible game.

Expedition 33 recently won Game of the Year at The Game Awards, and it was well-deserved! I loved everything about this game – the story is unique, the turn-based combat is engaging, and the music and art create a really atmospheric experience. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend it. Plus, it’s verified to work great on the Steam Deck!

BONUS: Xbox Game Pass

Just as an added note, I tried out a ton of games this year on my handheld devices using Xbox Game Pass. Some highlights included Blue Prince, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, among many others.

As a big gamer, I’m always looking for ways to play on the go. If you’re like me and want a massive library of games, especially ones that work great on handheld devices, I definitely suggest getting a subscription. It’s a game-changer!

Excellent games to play on handheld gaming PCs

This year, I’ve really enjoyed my handheld gaming PCs. I’ve played so many different games, from small, charming indie titles to big, visually impressive games from major developers.

I’ve found that not all games perform equally well on handheld devices like the Xbox Ally X, Steam Deck, and Legion Go 2. You can often improve performance by adjusting settings, but some games simply aren’t well-suited for handheld play.

2025-12-19 23:44