Steam Next Fest is here. Many developers and publishers are now showing off their upcoming games with videos, screenshots, livestreams, and, of course, demos. For Steam Deck owners in particular, Next Fest is a fine time to test out some demos on your device to see which games actually work on the handheld, so you can (maybe) add them to your Wish List for later purchase.

With well over 100 games listed in the ‘SteamOS' compatibility section alone, it is impossible to list them all. So we've highlighted five titles that are well worth checking out – it doesn’t cost a dime after all.

Best game demos for Steam Deck in Next Fest

Let’s jump straight into our top five picks below.

Super Debt

The Binding of Isaac was all about terrible childhood horrors, but Super Debt takes many of the gameplay elements and aesthetics of that game and instead pits the player against the writhing existential horror that is Debt. The result is a twin-stick bullet hell dungeon crawler that forces you to battle against financial ruin.

Koira

Recommended for controller players, Koira is a gorgeous hand-drawn adventure game filled with puzzles. You are tasked with befriending and saving a puppy while traversing a musical forest in your quest to return home. We quickly tested this game on our Steam Deck and it looked and ran great, with a steady 60 FPS without any additional work needed on our end.

Vespia: Shield of Aberration

Vespia: Sheild of Aberration combines the classic Tower Defence genre with deck building. The full game is still in development, but those who download the demo can get a taste of some randomized cards, a single starter character, and one demo level with graphics reminiscent of classic 16-but titles of the 90s. Players need to learn how to effectively combine the effects of different cards to defend ‘The Academy'. Although it lacks controller support, the game makes good use of the touchscreen (or trackpads) with simple drag-and-drop to put your cards into play.

Tiny Duck Hunt 3D

Who remembers Duck Hunt on the NES? No? Well, you'll have a chance to try a modern version of it anyway with this bonkers voxel-based updated version of it. The title offers what it describes as: “A nostalgic hand-eye coordination activity that's not as messy, or too much when you want to relax.” This is combined with cute cartoonish graphics, an optional left-handed mode, and a control system focused on handheld and joypad gaming. The developer has also confirmed Steam Deck compatibility.

EleBall

To lighten the mood, you might want to check out a cute puzzle game. EleBall fits the bill, with adorable star Eddie the Elephant whose goal is to catch falling objects while still maintaining his balance on a bouncy ball. The more you succeed, the more money you earn, which unlocks a huge variety of costumes and other cosmetics for Eddie to wear.

What is Steam Next Fest and how long does it last?

Steam Next Fest is a week-long event that aims to celebrate and promote upcoming games. This edition of the event is taking place from February 24th until March 3rd, so you still have some time to get involved.

Steam users can access and download a huge range of demos for upcoming games. There are also livestream events from developers showing off their future titles. You can pinpoint what games you might be interested in and add them to your wishlist. Next Fest typically happens just before one of the big Steam Sales, so by the time those discounts come along, your Wish List is all set up and ready.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.