I have built up a Steam game library of hundreds of games, and I love looking for indie games and hidden gems at great prices. In this guide, I’ll show you the best cheap games for Steam Deck you can buy today.
All of these games are $10 USD or less!
Combined, I’ve spent thousands of hours playing these games. And all of these cheap games work great on the Steam Deck handheld.
If you have a favorite game to add to the list, comment at the bottom and let me know!
Related: Check out the best overall Steam Deck games to play.
Related: Check out the best kids games for the Steam Deck.
What are the Best Cheap Games for Steam Deck?
- Vampire Survivors (Best Cheap Roguelike for Steam Deck)
- Terraria (Best Cheap Survival Game for Steam Deck)
- Brotato (Cheap Roguelike Alternative for Steam Deck)
- Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (Best Cheap Wave Shooter for Steam Deck)
- Fallout: New Vegas (Best Cheap Adventure Story Game for Steam Deck)
- Portal 2 (Best Cheap Puzzle Game for Steam Deck)
- Left 4 Dead 2 (Best Cheap Horror Game for Steam Deck)
All of the games above are $10 USD or less every day of the year. They don’t include other AAA games that tend to go on heavy sales, like Elden Ring, Spider Man, God of War, Skyrim, Elder Scrolls, and others.
Next, I’ll review each game in detail to help you decide what you are buying!
Vampire Survivors (Best Cheap Roguelike for Steam Deck)
Vampire Survivors is one of the best games for its price on the Steam Deck. Priced at $4.99, I love how addicting the gameplay is. Vampire Survivors is a steal for the amount of content and replay value it offers.
This game revolves around killing thousands of night creatures that come in waves and trying to survive until dawn. During your run, you have to try and collect gold, which helps you purchase different upgrades.
I also love that Vampire Survivors has a co-op mode where you can play with up to four friends simultaneously. This allows you to communicate with your friends while trying to last in the game for as long as possible.
I have spent hours playing this game, and it also allows you to hook up a separate controller or a keyboard and mouse for maximum comfort. If you are looking for cheap games for Steam Deck with a lot of playability, I recommend checking out Vampire Survivors.
Terraria (Best Cheap Survival Game for Steam Deck)
Terraria on the Steam Deck is another excellent game for under $10 that you can spend countless hours playing. Terraria is a sandbox action game that allows you to mine, craft, build, and fight across multiple maps and dimensions. This game will provide endless opportunities to explore and discover different things, and it reminds me of Minecraft in many ways.
I love how much there is to explore in this Steam Deck game. The world is massive, and you can battle different opponents as you come across them. The amount of crafts to mine and discover is also almost overwhelming.
Another great thing about Terraria is the ability to play with friends. Hop into a world with your friend and mine together. There are countless hours available to spend playing this in-expensive game!
Brotato (Cheap Roguelike Alternative for Steam Deck)
Brotato is another fast-paced, fun game on the Steam Deck that is a very inexpensive addition to your collection. In Brotato, you control a potato that can be armed with up to six weapons at once to fend off waves of aliens.
As you progress, you can create unique builds using a variety of traits and gather items that will help you survive longer. Brotato provides exceptional value at $4.99 for its replay value and engaging content.
I love how the graphics and gameplay are straightforward and easy to learn in minutes. There are also dozens of customizable characters at your disposal. Runs can be completed in less than thirty minutes, which means you will play for hours without even realizing it.
Where Vampire Survivors is more mysterious and fun to play through, Brotato is much more casual to pick up and play. The graphics style is nicer for younger kids as well.
If you enjoy a simple yet interactive shooter game, Brotato is the perfect match.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (Best Cheap Wave Shooter for Steam Deck)
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is available on the Steam Deck for $9.99 and provides endless hours of fun and replay value. Deep Rock is a single-player survivor shooter game where you battle endless waves of alien monsters.
As you kill the aliens, you will upgrade your gear and dig deeper into the caves of the map to find gold that has been left behind.
The auto-shooter gameplay is the one thing I really like about Deep Rock Galactic Survivor. This allows you to roam the map while automatically firing your weapon, removing the need to aim and fire yourself. This makes the game incredibly easy to play for all ages.
Each mission you go through is unique and will provide hours of gameplay and fun.
Fallout: New Vegas (Best Cheap Adventure Story Game for Steam Deck)
Fallout: New Vegas was initially released as a PC game back in 2010 and still features a ton of replay value, which is why it is still popular today. It is a first-person shooter action RPG set in the Mojave Desert 204 years after a nuclear war.
New Vegas features an open world that players can explore and mainly revolves around combat. It is currently available for purchase for $9.99 at the Steam store.
As one of the most popular PC games, I love how easily Fallout: New Vegas ports over to the Steam Deck console. You may experience a crash here and there, but for the most part, it runs incredibly smoothly with default settings.
The map resembles Las Vegas, and players can choose many weapons. With the open world, you will explore for hours as you progress through the game’s storyline and complete quests. Give it a shot and see why Fallout: New Vegas is one of the best action RPGs available on the Steam Deck.
Portal 2 (Best Cheap Puzzle Game for Steam Deck)
Portal 2 is the first non-shooter game on this list, but it provides mind-bending puzzles that will keep you busy for an extended period. It is available for $9.99, providing excellent value for its clever design and complex puzzles.
Using the “portal” gun, you must explore the map set in a science lab and solve a series of puzzles. The game also connects perfectly to the Steam Deck, ensuring a great playing experience. Not only does Portal 2 feature a single-player mode, but it also features a Multiplayer two-person coop mode with its dedicated map and storyline featuring unique puzzles to complete with a friend.
I love how engaging the storyline is for both modes, and you will be sure to play for countless hours as you progress through the puzzles.
Left 4 Dead 2 (Best Cheap Horror Game for Steam Deck)
Left 4 Dead 2 is the sequel to the original, which came out in 2008. This game is a coop action horror FPS that places you and your friends in a zombie apocalypse. You must navigate through cities, swamps, and cemeteries while collecting and upgrading your weapons along the way.
You must fend off and shoot hordes of zombies while trying to make it to safety.
For $9.99, Left 4 Dead 2 should be in every Steam Deck owner’s game library. I love the game’s fast-paced action, and the eeriness of the map will keep you on edge the entire time. This game is entertaining to play with friends, and as you upgrade your weapons, you will need to be tactical as the hordes of zombies get bigger each time.
There are five different campaign missions to progress through, meaning this game has plenty of replay value. I recommend Left 4 Dead 2 if you are into zombie apocalypse survival games.
Honorable Mentions
I didn’t add a few other cheap Steam Deck games to the list above because they are slightly more than $10 or overlap with another game on the list. However, many of these games are on sale frequently and for under $10!
Check them out if you want some more ideas:
- Stardew Valley ($14.99, but often on sale for under $10) – Best Cheap Farming Sim for Steam Deck
- Hollow Knight ($14.99, but frequently on sale for under $10) – Best Cheap Metroidvania for Steam Deck
- Celeste ($19.99, but often on sale for under $10) – Best Cheap Platformer for Steam Deck
- Slay the Spire ($24.99, but regularly on sale for under $10) – Best Cheap Deck-Building Roguelike for Steam Deck
- Undertale ($9.99) – Best Cheap RPG for Steam Deck
- Don’t Starve ($9.99) – Best Cheap Survival Horror for Steam Deck
- FTL: Faster Than Light ($9.99) – Best Cheap Space Strategy for Steam Deck
- Hotline Miami ($9.99) – Best Cheap Action Game for Steam Deck
Other Ways to Get Cheap Games on Steam Deck
The games on this list are always a great price! With a few other strategies, you can continue to build up your Steam library with other games on sale at a great price. Follow these strategies:
Wait for Annual Sales
The Steam Summer Sale occurs annually in late June and early July and the Winter Sale typically takes place in late December through early January. During these sales, many games are heavily discounted, sometimes up to 90% or more.
Seasonal Sales and Events
Steam also has sales during other holidays and events, such as Halloween, Autumn, and Spring sales. These sales also offer substantial discounts.
Daily and Weekly Deals
Check Steam’s homepage regularly for daily deals and weekly specials. These often feature games at significant discounts for a limited time.
Bundle Offers
Look for game bundles, which often include several games at a discounted price. Bundles can be an economical way to purchase multiple games.
Third-Party Resellers:
Authorized resellers like Humble Bundle, Green Man Gaming, and Fanatical often have Steam keys on sale. These keys are completely legitimate and are redeemed on the Steam store.
Early Access and Beta Testing:
Some games are available at a lower price during their early access or beta phase. Be cautious, as these games are not yet fully developed.
Conclusion
Diving into the world of cheap Steam Deck games opens up a treasure trove of entertainment without breaking the bank. From the addictive roguelike action of Vampire Survivors to the mind-bending puzzles of Portal 2, there’s something for every gamer on a budget. These affordable titles prove that price doesn’t always dictate quality or fun factor.
To maximize your Steam Deck library, watch for sales events and bundle deals. Remember, patience can pay off when building your collection. So fire up your Steam Deck and grab a few of these budget-friendly games without emptying your wallet.
