Summary
The Steam Deckhas a massive library of verified titles right now, and more and more big games are being added to Valve’s verified list each week. The handheld PC is becoming a popular device among gamers, allowing players to boot up and enjoy the likes ofGrand Theft Auto 5,Red Dead Redemption 2,God of War,andUncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collectionon the go.
Racers have always been popularon handheld devices.Gran Turismoon the PSP was a huge hit, while Nintendo’sMario Kart 8 Deluxeis the highest-selling game on the Switch. The Steam Deck has a great list of racing games that are well worth trying out on the impressive handheld. Here are thebest racers that are verified on the Deck.
Updated Aug 02, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat:Believe it or not, Steam Deck started a new trend on handheld gaming platforms, and it is already the leader of the market when it comes to PC-based gaming experiences.
Relying on Valve’s beloved market for games, Steam Deck offers support for a wide variety of games released since its launch. Being Steam Deck Verified has since become an important qualification for games launching on Steam. This badge guarantees that players will not face any issues playing the game on their handheld platform, hardware-wise.
Project CARS 3has no doubt had its critics since it was released into the wild back in August 2020. Many feel that the two previous versions are the better games in the series. The thirdProject CfARSgame changed a lot that made the franchise so successful in the first place, butProject CARS 3is still anenjoyable racing game.
Having been given the Deck’s green light of approval,Project CARS 3runs smooth as butter with good graphics. Set to be the finalProject CARSgame in the series, racing enthusiasts should certainly give it a go on the Steam Deck.
It’s a shame that many racing fans aren’t talking aboutLego 2K Drivemuch. Sure, the live-service trappings and the lazy rubber banding of the AI can distract players. However, those who can ignore these issues will realize how much fun it really is to play through an imaginative arcade racer with excellent track design.
Taking shortcuts and bamboozling the opposition makesLego 2K Drivean underrated racer that more people need to check out. Games like this are a great example of why the live service model shouldn’t be slapped onto every game in sight. This label has hurt the long-term interest in this arcade racer quite a bit.
Most people were pleasantly surprised to see the wealth of quality on display inHot Wheels Unleashed. Despite some progression issues, the game’s take on toy car racing was a blast. The game’s breakneck speeds can even cause these vehicles to fly off the tracks.
So, fans were interested in seeing whatHot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbochargedbrought to the table, and they weren’t disappointed. Featuring more moves and better track design than before, the sequel toHot Wheels Unleashedis a worthy arcade racer. It addresses a lot of issues players had in the first game and adds some interesting elements of its own to keep players engaged.
DreamWorks is a studio that has been through its fair share of ups and downs, but there’s no denying that the characters from their movies are iconic. So, the idea of playing a kart racing game featuring many beloved characters from their films is quite engrossing.
DreamWorks All-Star Kart Racinghas its fair share of issues, but fans of this studio’s work will be able to ignore the vast majority of these problems. The racing is simple and engaging, which is great for players who want to enjoy a title that doesn’t feature too many complicated mechanics.
13Automobilista 2
A Realistic Racing Experience Covering A Wide Variety Of Segments
Since its release on Steam in 2020,Automobilista 2has received good scores from critics and high ratings among players. Earlier in 2022, this solid racing sim, which is alsogreat in Virtual Reality, was given the Steam Deck’s green light of approval, making this a great game to play on handheld devices.
Automobilista 2is renowned for having excellent graphics, and the frame rate on the Steam Deck can be cranked up to 60fps with few to no issues. Even serious sim racers can enjoyAutomobilista 2on Valve’s impressive handheld system.
Therearen’t many arcade racing games out there, and players will take what they can get at this point. However, it’s not necessary to lower one’s standards to check out such a racing game.Inertial Driftcompletely changes the mechanics of how a race works to make for a truly breathtaking time.
Using two analog sticks to control a car in a race was simply unheard of before this title came into the fray. More racing fans need to check outInertial Driftand understand what makes it such a special indie gem and the Steam Deck is a great platform to let this game shine.
When the Steam Deck became available to order,Dirt 5was added to its verified list right away. This arcade racer is unique and is not for everyone, but the tracks andthe cars look stunning. TheDirt 5entry into theDirtfranchise is a lot of fun to play and will provide endless hours of thrills and spills.
Dirt 5stepped away from the usual simulation of rally driving, making this version a pick-up-and-play type of game forplayers new to the genre. There are a whole host of verified racers to play on the Steam Deck, andDirt 5should be right at the top of the list.
While not a racing game per se,Euro Truck Simulator 2has one of the most realistic driving models in any title. The aim of the game is to be methodical and take things so, taking the edge off for players as they course through urban landscapes, green countrysides, and anything else along the same lines.
The game may not seem all that interesting at first glance, but players even remotely interested should jump in and give this title a shot. If the experience clicks with them, then they’ll be completely glued to their screens as the hours fly by!
AlthoughF1 24is already out, the latest game in the franchise that is verified for Steam Deck isF1 22, whichis another extremely solid entry in Codemaster’sFormula Onefranchise. It is a gorgeous game, with cars and circuits that look as close to real life as fans have ever seen before.F1 22added F1 Life mode and the ability to crossplay in the multiplayer section.
We have seenF1titles on handhelds before, but neveras polished asF1 22. Players can enjoy this excellent racing game at 60fps with good graphics. Lower the frame rate andF1fans will get an even better experience. This terrific racer is well worth owning on the Deck.
What makesAsphalt Legends Unitestand out from all the other games listed here is the fact that it is free-to-play. The game is a massive visual leap over the mobile-onlyAsphaltentries, and it comes with a huge number of cars that can be purchased with in-game progress.
The game focuses on circuit-based races rather than being an open world, but the multiplayer section is quite fun and challenging, as players attempt to win and rank up. However, keep in mind that the monetization model does include some pay-to-win elements, which allows some players to upgrade their vehicles earlier than others.
