We don’t like to admit it, but the Steam Deck is slowly becoming outdated when it comes to hardware. Software is top-notch, and Valve’s commitment to updating SteamOS (even providing official support for third-party handhelds) feels miles ahead of the competition. However, modern AAA games are only getting more demanding, and this is starting to become a problem for the PC gaming handheld space.

Cloud gaming services have become an alternative for handheld users, with Nvidia’s GeForce Now proving to be a popular choice among gamers, despite some pushback after it introduced a 100-hour playtime monthly limit. Previously, we highlighted Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as an example of a game for Steam Deck that only works well on GFN, and it’s safe to say that some more recent titles should only really be enjoyed via streaming on the Deck.

DOOM: The Dark Ages and Oblivion Remastered at a stable 60 FPS

Up until now, you could make GFN work on Steam Deck via desktop mode on a browser. This is changing as Nvidia has introduced a new native app for Steam Deck, and they have given us a chance to test drive it ahead of launch. The new app can transform the way you play on your Steam Deck, unlocking ultra-smooth performance in the likes of Oblivion Remastered, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and more.

These blockbuster titles were the two we were drawn towards for testing. Neither of them runs well natively on the Deck, especially DOOM, which requires ray tracing and 8GB of VRAM as minimum requirements. So, starting with DOOM, we were happy to see it booting up without a problem, running at a steady 60 FPS without sacrificing the visuals.

DOOM: The Dark Ages with GeForce Now panel, image by PC Guide (Ultra Nightmare preset, DLSS off)

DOOM: The Dark Ages on Steam Deck, image by PC Guide (default settings)

DOOM: The Dark Ages on Steam Deck via GeForce Now, image by PC Guide (default settings)

DOOM: The Dark Ages on Steam Deck with critical health, image by PC Guide (default settings)

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We should note that we ran our tests on an Ultimate subscription, which streams the game from a GeForce RTX 4080-level server. This ensured in-game FPS was tremendously high while streaming at 60 FPS out of the box, matching the refresh rate of our LCD Steam Deck. Performance will differ depending on your tier and is something to consider, more so if you plan to play docked on a high-resolution gaming monitor.

While we were happy with how the default settings look in handheld mode, we could push the settings higher thanks to RTX 4080 performance, maintaining over 100 in-game FPS on the Ultra Nightmare quality preset without DLSS. ‘Nvidia recommend settings’ are applied by default, though you can override these; the ‘Gameplay’ settings in the GFN native app allow users to remember any changes you make, otherwise they will revert to defaults each time you launch the game.

Third-person Oblivion Remastered with GeForce Now panel, image by PC Guide (Ultra preset, DLSS on)

First-person Oblivion Remastered with GeForce Now panel, image by PC Guide (Ultra preset, DLSS on)

Oblivion Remastered on Steam Deck with GeForce Now

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Oblivion Remastered, on the other hand, launches with Ultra graphics settings applied by default. Even still, the stream FPS could easily remain above 60 FPS during the opening section of the game, though you may want to tinker with these settings depending on your subscription tier and during gameplay in more demanding areas.

GeForce Now could be a must-have for AAA games moving forward

Optimization in games will always be something for PC gamers to complain about. We all like to see games be as optimized as possible, and those that are well optimized usually receive overwhelming praise. We wouldn’t even call the latest DOOM game badly optimized, but the tech it relies on doesn’t play nice with older GPUs, nor the Steam Deck. With the reality that new AAA games are getting too much for the Steam Deck (Monster Hunter Wilds being another example), turning to cloud gaming is a great alternative.

As for the app itself, we should note that it will not be available directly on the Steam store. This caused one problem on the Steam Deck; it fails to upload screenshots taken in a non-Steam game. Admittedly, this is something Valve should probably address, not Nvidia. A representative from Nvidia notes that the native app for Steam Deck will be downloadable via the GeForce Now download page and will remain this way in order to enable Nvidia to “deliver faster updates and support for members”.

Another thing we 100% have to mention is that GeForce Now is a massive battery saver. This is perhaps one of the most remarkable things about the service for handheld users, especially with many people turning to battery mods to make their devices last as long as possible. Nvidia claims that playing via GFN offers “twice the battery life” versus playing natively, and this was immediately noticeable after a single session. The service inherently comes with other bonuses such as removing the need to worry about local storage space or texture streaming eating up VRAM; this is handled by the GFN cloud servers. It is also noticeably less demanding on your system – which means less noise and less heat.

Right now, GeForce Now on the Steam Deck supports 60 FPS streaming, including up to 4K 60 FPS in docked mode. However, Nvidia says 90 FPS support is coming in a future update, which we’re sure will come in handy for OLED users with up to 90Hz to work with. Don’t worry if you’ve got an LCD model, you’ll still be able to get up to 90 FPS, even if the display is capped at 60Hz. HDR10 is also supported on launch.

Overall, we see the Steam Deck as a fantastic device for smaller games, but it isn’t really cut out for some of the latest AAA titles. This is where GeForce Now bridges the gap. While it has been available via browser up until now, the native app makes the process much easier with a streamlined installation process. Valve’s Steam Deck aims to offer a console-like experience on PC, and making something more easily accessible is part of delivering that feeling.

The only thing standing in your way of AAA gaming on the go is maintaining a stable internet connection and digging a little deeper to afford the subscription; at least there’s a Summer Sale happening right now.

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.