Hello! I recently bought a Steam Deck, and it has quickly become my go-to gadget for gaming. It’s been an amazing experience. I got my hands on one during a trip to the Netherlands a few months ago, unfortunately it’s still not available in South Africa except getting it as an expensive grey import at places like Takealot. Or second hand on sites like carbonite.

First game I downloaded was Batman: Arkham Knight, a game I had previously played on a PlayStation 4. Replaying the storyline on the Steam Deck was an absolute joy. It felt like a significant upgrade. I played it on a 10-hour flight this fully made me appreciate gaming on a handheld device.

On average I played about 2 hours straight then the battery would become low. It would take about another hour to charge it back to 100% using the on seat charging points. I could also have played with the device plugged in but I really wanted the breaks.

Now, let me share what I adore about the Steam Deck:

• AAA Gaming: Despite being a 2022 device, the Steam Deck handles several AAA games with ease. Albeit not the latest ones like Alan Wake 2.

• Portability: I haven’t owned a Nintendo Switch, but I love the idea that I can play on my Steam Deck while on the couch, in bed, or even outside in the yard. It’s incredibly versatile.

• Extensive Game Library: The selection of games available for the Steam Deck is vast, thanks to the extensive Steam catalogue. I found plenty of games to enjoy, and they are quite affordable, which is a huge plus.

Snippet of Gameplay inside a tunnel of Arkham Knights

As for cons, I haven’t encountered any big one yet. I do hate the sound the fans/vents make during gameplay but I usually put my headphones on and I do not hear a thing. I’m still exploring the device more and the whole gaming environment, and so far, I’m delighted with everything.

The battery life has been better than I expected. Maybe because I am not cranking up the graphics or playing super intensive AAA games. I play Cyberpunk 2077 using the default steam deck settings and a gameplay usually last just over an hour and a half.

With 2023 Christmas on the horizon, if you’re considering a gift, the Steam Deck is an excellent choice. It’s a versatile gaming machine and a fantastic introduction to gaming for anyone who hasn’t explored this world before. Steam Deck, for the win! And, Valve just recently launched an update of the deck, with an Oled display and even battery power. This also made the OG deck even cheaper. I mean what are you waiting for.