Since its release in February 2022, Valve’s Steam Deck has sold over a million units. In case you’re unfamiliar with the Steam Deck, it’s a handheld device that allows gamers a portable way to enjoy many games that were previously exclusive to the PC. Due to its success this year, we predict that the Steam Deck will be a 🔥hot🔥 commodity this holiday season. If you’re getting your loved one a Steam Deck as a gift and want to be sure they have some ✨ quality screen time ✨ why not consider these excellent educational games?
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A quick disclaimer before we introduce you to the games – while all of the following games run on the Steam Deck, not all of them have been officially verified for the Steam Deck. To learn more about Steam Deck verification, check out the video below.
If our mascot, the Filabee, had hands to use a Steam Deck, we bet that this would bee its favorite game! APICO is beekeeping sim game that incorporates bee collecting, breeding, and conservation. Players can explore multiple biomes, discover new species of bees, gather resources, learn biology concepts, and more. The game also features an online co-op mode for up to four players, so players can beekeep with friends! What’s even sweeter than honey is that the developers of APICO also donate a percentage of proceeds from the game to real-life bee conservation efforts!
Looking more educational conservation games? Check out our list of excellent environmental science games.
In Code Romantic, protagonist Mina Lovelace is navigating all of the typical teenage struggles, such as impressing her crush, Leon, and trying to prevent robots from destroying the last of humankind. This unique game combines a dystopian YA visual novel with a computer science learning game. As players make their way through the narrative, they learn C# and problem-solving skills! Note that the suggested age group for this game is kids allowed to read Harry Potter and Twilight.
Searching for another excellent STEM game that includes coding? RoboCo is a wholesome sandbox game about designing and building robots to serve the needs of squishy, hapless humans in the world of tomorrow!
Universe Sandbox is a physics-based space simulation game that allows players to create universes of their own! Though this game was first released in 2015, it has come a long way since and is still being updated by the developers (as of November 2022 at the time of publishing this blog). In Universe Sandbox, players can explore and tinker with gravity, climates, planets, and stars to see what happens. Players can also learn more about space using Newtonian mechanics and real physics to recreate historical events, supernova a star, and more!
STEM video games are great vehicles for learning. Check out some of Filament’s fun and educational STEM games.
While waiting for the long-anticipated Kerbal Space Program 2 (which is now set to be released next year), you can’t go wrong with the original! Like Universe Sandbox, this STEM game incorporates real physics. Players must help an alien race called Kerbals create a fully functional aircraft. In Science Mode, players can focus on technology; in Career Mode, players can put their strategic thinking skills to the test. In Kerbal Space Program, players can use satellites, conduct research, and try to keep Kerbals in orbit (and alive) while experimenting with aerodynamic and orbital physics.
Did this game peak your interest? Learn more about the benefits of combining video games with strategic thinking.
Lastly, we have an oldie but a goodie. Scribblenauts Unlimited, originally released in 2012, is now revamped and in crisp HD for players to enjoy on their PCs or Steam Decks! This game requires players to tap into their inner creativity. While navigating an open world, players must use their imaginations to help protagonist Maxwell create objects and solve puzzles. Objects players dream up can also be shared in the Steam Workshop.
Creativity is an important 21st century skill for students of any age. Discover how video games help boost creativity!
There you are – five excellent educational games for the Steam Deck. We hope you have a great holiday season and have found something on this list to make screen time = learning time!
Interested in creating a meaningful learning experience of your own? We have 17 years of experience as an educational game developer and can help you bring your vision to life! Reach out to us today!
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