Steam Deck’s Second Life: Nvidia GeForce Now Turns Handheld into Nintendo Switch 2 Rival
The Steam Deck, once relegated to the "man drawer," is experiencing a renaissance thanks to Nvidia GeForce Now. The cloud gaming service has breathed new life into Valve's handheld, transforming it into a potential Nintendo Switch 2 killer. But does it live up to the hype?
GeForce Now, now available as a native app on Steam Deck after its quiet unveiling at CES 2025, streams games from your existing Steam, Epic, Ubisoft, and Xbox libraries. This means access to an RTX 4080 gaming rig in your hands, unlocking stunning visuals and smooth gameplay previously unattainable on the Deck's aging hardware.
The key, according to a Tom's Guide review, lies in shifting the computational burden from the Steam Deck's AMD chip to Nvidia's cloud servers. This combats hardware limitations and extends battery life dramatically. For example, running Hitman: World of Assassination jumped from 45 minutes natively to an impressive 6 hours with GeForce Now.
Setting up GeForce Now on Steam Deck involves a straightforward process of downloading the app in desktop mode, granting execution permissions, and installing. The app will appear in your Steam Deck library upon returning to Handheld mode.
"I loved the Steam Deck when I first got it," one reviewer admits, but its use "came in waves." Games were leaving it behind, a gaming PC offered better performance at home, and life got busy. But, "…GeForce Now is completely revived my love for the Steam Deck."
The visual difference is stark. Playing Cyberpunk 2077 at maxed-out settings with a locked 60 FPS becomes a reality, thanks to the cloud-based RTX 4080. Furthermore, features like DLSS enhance the experience, ensuring smooth performance even in demanding titles like Indiana Jones and The Great Circle.
GeForce Now paired with Steam Deck is getting an impressive level of praise, so Nvidia is celebrating by giving away two prize bundles — each including a Steam Deck OLED and Steam Deck Dock — as well as some free GeForce NOW Ultimate memberships. Be on the lookout for a chance to win by following the GeForce NOW social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads), using #GFNOnSteamDeck and following the sweepstakes instructions.
Docked mode elevates the experience further. While resolution scaling might need some tweaking, the visual fidelity surpasses what the Nintendo Switch 2 can likely achieve. Games run smoothly on the big screen, with details beautifully rendered.
There are, of course, limitations. An internet connection is mandatory. But for most users, this isn't a deal-breaker. The benefits vastly outweigh the drawbacks.
Nvidia has also released a list of games that includes Tokyo Xtreme Racer amongst a varied list.
GeForce Now on Steam Deck marks a significant leap forward for cloud gaming. It transforms the Steam Deck into a powerhouse, offering stunning visuals, extended battery life, and access to a vast library of games. It's a formidable contender in the handheld gaming market. Is this the Nintendo Switch 2's worst nightmare? Or will Nintendo come swinging back with a device of its own design? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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