Games like Elite on Steam Deck

4 of the 5 modern alternatives to Elite (1984) are rated Verified or Playable on the Steam Deck. One of them is free, and the cheapest paid option is X4: Foundations at € 49,99.

The Steam Deck runs most of the PC catalogue, but not all of it equally well. Only alternatives that Valve rates Verified (works out of the box) or Playable (works, with a tweak or two) are listed here. The ratings come from Valve, not from our own testing, and change as games are patched.

Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.

No Man's Sky

€ 59,99

A vast procedural space-exploration sandbox.

No Man's Sky is also an alternative to 1 other classic

Available on
PC Mac Linux iPhone iPad Android phone Android tablet PlayStation Xbox Switch Steam Deck Verified

No Man's Sky runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.

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EVE Online

Free + in-app purchases

The vast single-shard space economy, free to play, where Elite's trading and piracy happen between real players.

EVE Online is also an alternative to 1 other classic

Available on
PC Mac Linux iPhone iPad Android phone Android tablet PlayStation Xbox Switch Steam Deck Playable

EVE Online runs on PC, Mac. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.

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Elite Dangerous

€ 29,99 + in-app purchases

The massively multiplayer modern successor with a 1:1 Milky Way.

Elite Dangerous is also an alternative to 1 other classic

Available on
PC Mac Linux iPhone iPad Android phone Android tablet PlayStation Xbox Switch Steam Deck Playable

Elite Dangerous runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.

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X4: Foundations

€ 49,99

The deepest space trading sim on the market: fly, trade, build stations and command fleets.

X4: Foundations is also an alternative to 1 other classic

Available on
PC Mac Linux iPhone iPad Android phone Android tablet PlayStation Xbox Switch Steam Deck Verified

X4: Foundations runs on PC, Linux. Not available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.

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Not on Steam Deck

These alternatives to Elite are listed on the main page, but are not rated Verified or Playable on the Steam Deck:

All 5 games like Elite