Steam Deck is already running VR games, sort of

Steam Deck
(Image credit: Valve)

Game developers who have gotten their hands on early Steam Deck systems via Valve are putting the console through its paces, and that includes making it run VR games.

To be clear, Valve has never pitched Steam Deck as a VR-focused device, and you may or may not be able to get it working the same way with the retail version that starts rolling out to consumers this winter. That hasn't kept curious developers from seeing how far they can push the device, as demonstrated in these videos from a Japanese AR engineer going by yunayuna64 and Cloudhead Games boss Denny Unger.

Unger points out that getting the headset to work on Steam Deck was a process in itself, requiring working out some driver issues and running Steam Deck in its Linux desktop mode. Most notably, the way both developers seem to have their setups working does not properly transmit video to the VR headset. Instead it just uses the headset for tracking and mirrors the image you would see in VR to Steam Deck's standard screen.

This is all just experimentation, so it shouldn't be too concerning that everything isn't working out straight off the bat. Instead, it's encouraging to see Steam Deck already being put to use in unexpected ways.

You probably won't want to pack along a VR headset when you're out playing PC games on the go, but it could be a handy portable PC for playing VR games at home with fewer cords to get tripped up on, for example - like an extra powerful Oculus Quest that keeps its brain in your backpack. Or something cooler, you know, we're just spitballing here.

Meanwhile, if you aren't trying to make it do VR, several developers have said Steam Deck runs their games "flawlessly."

Connor Sheridan

I got a BA in journalism from Central Michigan University - though the best education I received there was from CM Life, its student-run newspaper. Long before that, I started pursuing my degree in video games by bugging my older brother to let me play Zelda on the Super Nintendo. I've previously been a news intern for GameSpot, a news writer for CVG, and now I'm a staff writer here at GamesRadar.

Read more
A Meta Quest 3 next to an Nvidia GeForce Now logo, separated by an orange line
Nvidia's cloud gaming service is coming to VR headsets, but you'll only be able to play flatscreen games
A patent for a Valve VR headset on a white background
A Steam Deck, but for your face? The latest rumors about Valve's new VR headset are pretty exciting
PowerWash Simulator VR level with painted cat
PowerWash Simulator is ending support for VR, "a platform which costs us more than it makes," after just 14 months
Nintendo Switch 2 with Mark Kart on screen next to Steam Deck with blue and purple backdrop
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: how do both gaming handhelds compare?
Hands holding Alienware gaming handheld "Concept UFO" with city in backdrop
Sorry, an Alienware gaming handheld isn't on the way, but Dell says its looking "pretty heavily” at the space
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailer screenshot showing a young woman in a green ceremonial dress dancing, a determined look upon her face as she smirks while staring ahead
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is Steam Deck verified ahead of the JRPG's PC launch next week so that you can play "in the bathroom… wherever you want"
Latest in Handhelds
Lenovo Legion Go S with Steam Big Picture Mode on screen with pink and blue lights in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS pre-orders are now live, and I'm hoping it's a second wind for the handheld
OneXPlayer OneXSugar1 handhelds with one on left featuring screen detached and right hand device with dual-screens.
Qualcomm just revealed its latest Snapdragon chips, and the G3 Gen 3 will power what could be my dream 3DS handheld
Baseus 6-in-1 Steam Deck dock with OLED model sitting in cradle next to Asus controller and Samsung TV with game menu in backdrop.
I've tested over 20 different docking stations since the Steam Deck landed, but there's one I always go back to
Lenovo Legion Go S with FlyKnight gameplay on screen featuring player character holding bow and arrow with enemy ant in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S Windows 11 review: “my heart aches for this mixed up handheld”
Lenovo Legion Go S with Xbox logo on screen next to white Series X controller on woodgrain surface
The rumored Xbox handheld isn't what you think, and I'm hoping it'll solve my Windows 11 problems
Mario & Luigi: Brothership trailer still
The end is nigh for the 3DS as Nintendo runs out of parts for 2 more models in Japan, with only 1 iteration still accepted for repairs
Latest in News
Lady Dimitrescu and Austin Abrams
The new Resident Evil movie may have found a lead in a Euphoria star
Leatherface and Glen Powell
Glenn Powell could be taking a swing at a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Xenomorph in Alien: Earth
New Alien: Earth clip shows the last of another expendable crew
Adam Scott as Mark S and Britt Lower as Helly R in Severance season 2
There might have been another reason for Mark's decision in the Severance season 2 finale
Silent Hill f art showing a person covered in plants
Silent Hill f has been pre-emptively banned in Australia, with no reason given for the 'refused classification' rating
Assassin's Creed Shadows review gameplay showing Yasuke overlooking the sea and lush green scenery
Assassin's Creed Shadows has already "surpassed the launches of AC Origins and Odyssey" with 2 million players and counting