Valve created the Steam Deck verification system to give Steam Deck owners an easy way to tell if a game runs on the handheld, without having to rely on reviews or benchmarks. However, this system isn’t always accurate. Even recently, Borderlands 4 received a Steam Deck Verified badge, but real-world testing suggests it probably doesn’t deserve it.

For those unfamiliar, Valve uses a few different labels in its system. If a game is marked as Verified, it means it should run smoothly on the Steam Deck right out of the box. If a game needs some adjustments or has small issues, it usually falls under the Playable category instead. Benchmark tests reveal that Borderlands 4 falls short of what many people would deem acceptable.

Valve’s Steam Deck verification process isn’t perfect

This is not the first time the Steam Deck verification system has missed the mark. There have been several cases in the past where games marked as Verified struggled on the handheld. Spider-Man 2 is a good example, and Valve even downgraded it to ‘Playable’ until further optimization bumped it back up to Verified status. Perhaps Borderlands 4 should follow the same path.

According to a hands-on test shared by Steam Deck Gaming on YouTube, Borderlands 4 does not run well on the Steam Deck using default settings. Input lag is clearly noticeable, which affects gunplay and overall responsiveness. On top of that, the game suffers from stuttering, which ruins the entire gameplay experience.

Switching to Performance mode does help a little, but not enough to justify the Verified label. Frame pacing improves slightly, but the experience is still far from smooth. Visual quality also takes a noticeable hit, and even then, stuttering does not fully disappear. Quality mode reduces some stutter, but the visuals look worse, and performance still falls short of what most players would expect from a Verified game.

“Is it playable? Yes, just about. Is it worth it? No, probably not. Especially when we look at the GeForce Now counterpart on the Steam Deck itself, it looks like a compltely different game.”

Steam Deck Gaming

Based on current performance, Borderlands 4 should really be listed as Playable at best, not Verified. It does not run smoothly out of the box, and it clearly needs compromises. Until performance improves, Steam Deck owners may want to think twice before jumping in.

Steam Deck Gaming mentions that GeForce NOW is currently the only proper way to enjoy Borderlands 4 on the Steam Deck. When streamed through GeForce NOW, the game reportedly looks and runs much better, almost like a different experience. That said, this option requires a solid internet connection and a paid membership, which is not ideal for everyone.

Back when we tested the GFN app for Steam Deck, we called it a game-changer for AAA (we tested DOOM: The Dark Ages and Oblivion Remastered at the time), and it’s clear the same can be said for Borderlands 4. We can always cling to the idea that local performance can be improved through focused optimization – even Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t too bad on Steam Deck these days, thanks to a recent PC performance patch which helped Steam reviews make a U-turn.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.