Having this gaming subscription seems like a secret weapon, and now it is obtainable on Steam OS

In case you have a Steam Deck or are contemplating getting one as a substitute of a Nintendo Switch 2, it has simply gained considerably extra functionality because of Nvidia.

Nvidia has announced that its cloud gaming app, GeForce Now, is now obtainable for the Steam Deck. At CES 2025, Nvidia said this was in growth, and only a week earlier than the Swap 2’s launch, it has formally launched it for all Steam Deck homeowners.

It is a main announcement as a result of it means Steam Deck customers can now stream over 2,000 video games at 4K 60FPS by way of GeForce Now, from varied PC platforms, together with Steam, Epic Video games, Xbox, and extra.

Here is every little thing you might want to find out about GeForce Now and the related caveats.

Associated

I wasn’t expecting the ROG Ally X to outshine the Steam Deck quite this much

Each gaming handhelds have particular strengths and weaknesses, however usually, the ROG Ally X reigns supreme.

What’s Nvidia GeForce Now?

It helps you to stream video games from the cloud utilizing highly effective Nvidia {hardware}

When you’re not conversant in Nvidia GeForce Now, it is a cloud gaming platform that allows gamers to stream video games from the cloud utilizing Nvidia’s high-end PC {hardware} on their units.

Which means a Steam Deck (or another supported device) could be remodeled into a robust gaming PC utilizing cloud know-how. Consequently, video games on GeForce Now can run at as much as 4K 60 FPS, whatever the gadget’s energy, since all processing is dealt with within the cloud by way of a digital PC, fairly than natively on the gadget.

Whereas the Steam Deck is a succesful transportable gaming handheld, it struggles to run a number of the newest video games, like Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, at greater settings and respectable body charges as a consequence of its restricted {hardware}. That is why a service like GeForce Now could be useful, because it eliminates these boundaries and permits folks to play any recreation they need on their gadget, with out being constrained by {hardware} limitations.

By operating GeForce Now in your Steam Deck, it does all of the work by way of the cloud and outputs it to your Steam Deck’s show, with out the Deck’s {hardware} being overly utilized. Nvidia claims due to this, Steam Deck customers will expertise “50 p.c longer battery life when streaming from an RTX gaming rig within the cloud.” One main caveat to all that is that you just want a robust web connection to stream video games from GeForce Now. When you’re enjoying at residence, this will not be an issue, however when you’re out and about or touring, it may well simply grow to be one.

Moreover, it’s price noting that in order for you the best possible expertise from Nvidia GeForce Now, you may have to pay.

Associated

Should you get an LCD or OLED Steam Deck?

It is principally a query of funds and the way diehard you need to be.

You’ll be able to play GeForce Now free of charge at 1080p

1440p and 4K will price you

Nvidia

GeForce Now has three totally different plans obtainable to gamers: Free, Efficiency, and Final.

The Free plan, because the identify suggests, would not price something and permits customers to check out GeForce Now. Nevertheless, being free comes with some important limitations, corresponding to a decision restrict of 1080P at 60 FPS, the presence of commercials, and a session length of just one hour earlier than it resets. The digital PC that runs the video games additionally lacks energy in comparison with the higher-tier choices.

The Efficiency Plan, which prices $10 a month or $50 each six months, is the mid-tier possibility and affords higher efficiency than the free plan, permitting customers to play video games at as much as 1440p at 60 FPS with out advertisements. This plan additionally helps ultra-wide displays and RTX ray tracing in video games. Customers obtain 100 hours of playtime monthly with this plan, together with six hours of playtime per session.

Nvidia / Bethesda

The very best-tier plan Nvidia affords for GeForce Now known as Final, and it options probably the most highly effective digital PC, geared up with an RTX 4080 and a 16-core CPU, for $20 a month or $100 each six months. It will probably run video games at as much as 4K at 240 FPS, showcasing all of Nvidia’s graphical constancy and efficiency enhancements, corresponding to DLSS Body Era, Nvidia Reflex, and Nvidia G-Sync. In case your show helps it, this plan additionally supplies HDR and HDR10 assist. Much like the Efficiency Plan, it permits for 100 hours of playtime monthly, however with eight hours of playtime obtainable per session.

Relying on the plan you select, it may well doubtlessly improve your Steam Deck into a way more highly effective transportable gaming gadget. Nevertheless, as I discussed earlier, web connection is critical to attain the most effective expertise with cloud gaming, so maintain that in thoughts. When you continuously use your Steam Deck at residence, then GeForce Now could also be price contemplating. Nevertheless, when you’re usually away from residence together with your Steam Deck and should not have entry to a robust web connection, it won’t carry out optimally.

If you wish to give GeForce Expertise a attempt in your Steam Deck, you possibly can obtain it from Nvidia’s website and check any of the video games you personal on it. Simply remember to choose the Steam Deck possibility and comply with the on-screen directions once you go to put in it. I like to recommend watching the video under, because it supplies an important overview of how you can set it up appropriately. If you do not have a Steam Deck, GeForce Now’s obtainable to attempt on Home windows, Mac, and Android. You may also play it on iOS, however solely by way of the Safari browser, not its devoted app.

Associated

The ROG Ally X is great, but the Steam Deck OLED easily beats it in 4 key ways

I just like the ROG Ally X, however relating to on-the-go gaming, I discover myself turning to the Steam Deck OLED – here is why.