Emulation has and continues to serve as the best way to preserve games. Without it, a ton of great games would’ve forever been lost to time. It’s only because of it that fans are still able to play video games on consoles like the Sega Saturn, 3DO, Atari 2600, and more. Currently, the emulation scene seems to be going well, although there have been some major setbacks due to Yuzu and Citra both ceasing active development. The Steam Deck, in particular, has turned out to be quite a capable device for emulation. This has led to many users asking about the best games that can be emulated on it. That’s something that this guide can help you with.
Valve has put out some really dud products in the past, but the Steam Deck isn’t certainly one of them. Although there were a lot of PC handhelds before the Steam Deck came into the picture, they weren’t really able to carve out a respectable market share. A feat that the Steam Deck was able to achieve thanks to its pricing and Valve’s amazing software and customer support. Besides being able to play AAA, AA, and indie titles on it, the Deck’s now also become an emulation device for a lot of users. The following list will suggest the best ten games that you can and should emulate on your Steam Deck.
Top 10 & Best games to emulate on Steam Deck
God of War II
- Platform: PS2
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Emulator: PCSX2
Santa Monica Studio’s God of War II is considered as one of the best games in the PS2 history and there’s no denying that. Released back in 2007, it’s the sequel to 2005’s God of War and continues the story of Kratos, who’s now tasked with finding the mysterious Sisters of Fate so that he can travel back in time and get his revenge on Zeus. Comprising of satisfying gameplay and an engaging narrative, God of War II is a perfect example of just how great the PS2 era was.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS
- Developer: Grezzo
- Emulator: Citra
Released in 2011, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is the remake of the original Nintendo 64 game. Featuring stereoscopic 3D effects, touchscreen use, modified Master Quest dungeons, and updated graphics, it’s a truly great remake. Furthermore, Ocarina of Time is highly regarded as one of the best entries in The Legend of Zelda series, up there with the likes of Twilight Princess, Majora’s Mask, and Breath of the Wild.
Super Mario Galaxy
- Platform: Wii
- Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
- Emulator: Dolphin
The Super Mario series has and continues to push boundaries when it comes to platformers. And 2007’s Super Mario Galaxy is a prime example of that. The game’s gravity mechanics, along with its clever use of the Wii’s controls, offer some of the most fun gameplay you can experience in 3D Mario titles. Super Mario Galaxy was such a grand success that it even went on to become the first Nintendo game to win the BAFTA Award for Best Game in 2009. Oh, and by the way, Super Mario Galaxy also happens to be the debut title for Princess Rosalina.
Halo: Combat Evolved
- Platform: Xbox
- Developer: Bungie
- Emulator: Xemu
It’s impossible to imagine where Xbox would be today were it not for Halo: Combat Evolved to release as a launch title for the original Xbox. Developed by Bungie, Halo: Combat Evolved was released in 2001 and quickly turned out to be a system seller. It not only established Xbox as a serious contender in the video gaming world but also transformed Halo into a juggernaut multimedia franchise, which today consists of several games, novels, toys, and a TV series. Equipped with amazing FPS combat and an engrossing story, Halo: Combat Evolved is a timeless classic.
GoldenEye 007
- Platform: Nintendo 64 (N64)
- Developer: Rare
- Emulator: Retroarch
The Nintendo 64 had a pretty fun library of games, and among those was Rare’s GoldenEye 007. At the time of its development and release, no one would’ve imagined just how influential and successful GoldenEye 007 would turn out to be. From its satisfying gameplay to its major focus on stealth, GoldenEye 007 proved the fact that consoles are also a viable platform for FPS titles. This fact is backed by GoldenEye 007 becoming the third-best-selling N64 title, just behind Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64.
Demon’s Souls
- Platform: PS3
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Emulator: RPCS3
FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls was the game that served as the stepping stone for the current Soulslike genre. It’s difficult but rewarding combat really shines through to this day and is something that fans of the Soulslike genre would appreciate a lot. The game even received a remake in 2020 by Bluepoint Games for the PS5, which also went on to garner positive reviews from critics just like the original title did following its release in 2009.
Chrono Trigger
- Platform: SNES
- Developer: Square
- Emulator: Retroarch
Chrono Trigger is quite possibly one of the greatest, if not the greatest, RPGs of all time. With a development team consisting of legends like Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series), Hironobu Sakaguchi (creator of the Final Fantasy series), and Akira Toriyama (author of Dragon Ball and character designer of Dragon Quest), Chrono Trigger was bound to get the immense universal acclaim it got from critics and fans alike. The game features a fantastic narrative which coupled with its simple but amazing gameplay offers a perfect RPG to spend hours on.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
- Platform: Sega Genesis
- Developer: Sega Technical Institute
- Emulator: Retroarch
Sonic games have always been a hit or miss. But the first three games have always been considered some of the best entries into this long-running series. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 in particular is a beloved title for many fans due to its vibrant visuals, level design, and faster gameplay. Many even consider it as a better game compared to the first Sonic The Hedgehog title. If you haven’t tried STH2, you should really go ahead and do so fast.
Tekken 3
- Platform: PlayStation
- Developer: Namco
- Emulator: Retroarch, Duckstation
There have been a lot of Tekken games but to this day, Tekken 3 is considered to be the best entry into the series by many fans. Released for PlayStation and Arcade, Tekken 3 served as the debut of a lot of popular characters like Hwoarang, Bryan Fury, Julia Chang, Ling Xiaoyu, and Jin Kazama. The combat system of the game is quite fluid and innovative, while the beat-up mode is still a fun experience to play.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
- Platform: Game Boy Advance (GBA)
- Developer: Square Product Development Division 4
- Emulator: Retroarch
The GBA was home to a plethora of fun titles, including Square’s tactical RPG, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. The charm of the game continues to woo fans of the tactical RPG genre, all thanks to its visuals, story, music, and combat. If you happen to be looking for something different in the Final Fantasy series, then Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is something you should really take a deep look at.
Well, that’s the end of this list. We certainly hope you enjoy at least some of them. By the way, you can also take a quick look here if the Dolphin Emulator is crashing on your Deck a lot. And for more such content, keep following DigiStatement. Also read: Biomorph Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, & Asus Rog Ally Support Details
