This holiday season, the future is in your hands – quite literally, if you’re the proud owner of Valve’s portable PC peripheral par excellence, the Steam Deck. With millions of units sold, the Steam Deck is proof that PC gamers have couches, too, and that sometimes, they want to play games on those couches. We’ve scoured the marketplace and curated a list of quick picks if you’re looking for an experience that’s both portable and educational – read on for our favorite educational games for the Steam Deck, all of which are Steam Deck verified!
UFO 50
Our first pick isn’t necessarily educational, but there’s a lot to learn from UFO 50. This collection of retrofuturistic titles is a master class in game design – players select from 50 different experiences designed by indie game creators, completing mini games and advancing a meta-progression along the way. We don’t want to give too much away about this one – just check it out!
Find it on Steam
Incredibox
Combine beatboxing, music theory, and a healthy dose of creativity, and you get Incredibox. This interactive music game lets players mix and match sound loops to create their own tracks. As they unlock new combinations, they’ll learn how harmony and rhythm work together. It’s a must-try for anyone who’s ever dreamed of being a music producer!
Find it on Steam
Let’s School
A simulation game with a twist, Let’s School puts players in the shoes of a principal tasked with running a successful school. You’ll balance budgets, optimize curriculums, and even navigate quirky student issues. The management gameplay is surprisingly deep, offering lessons in strategic thinking and resource allocation.
Find it on Steam
Noun Town Language Learning
Noun Town makes language learning feel like a game, not a chore. This immersive experience drops players into a colorful world where they interact with NPCs to learn vocabulary and practice pronunciation in a range of languages. It’s a perfect example of how gamification can make education fun and effective.
Find it on Steam
Apico
For those with a green thumb and a curiosity about ecology, Apico offers a sweet experience. This beekeeping simulator encourages players to cultivate their own apiary, learning about bee conservation and biodiversity along the way. It’s a gentle yet rewarding game that’s as relaxing as it is enlightening.
Find it on Steam
7 Billion Humans
From the makers of World of Goo and Human Resource Machine, 7 Billion Humans is a programming puzzle game where you command an army of workers to solve increasingly complex challenges. It’s a clever and engaging way to teach logic, coding principles, and teamwork.
Find it on Steam
S.U.M. Slay Uncool Monsters
Math has never been this epic. In S.U.M. Slay Uncool Monsters, players use arithmetic to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. It’s a brilliant way to build math fluency while embarking on a quest packed with humor and heart. Whether you’re battling your way through fractions or taking down algebraic adversaries, S.U.M. ensures the numbers add up to a good time.
Find it on Steam
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The Steam Deck is more than a gaming console – it’s a handheld portal to discovery. With these educational games in your library, you can unlock new skills, insights, and beatboxing techniques wherever you go. So grab your Deck, settle into your favorite spot, and start learning in style.