Having this gaming subscription feels like a secret weapon, and now it’s available on Steam OS

When you’ve got a Steam Deck or are contemplating getting one as an alternative of a Nintendo Switch 2, it has simply gained considerably extra functionality due to Nvidia.

Nvidia has announced that its cloud gaming app, GeForce Now, is now accessible for the Steam Deck. At CES 2025, Nvidia said this was in growth, and only a week earlier than the Swap 2’s launch, it has formally launched it for all Steam Deck homeowners.

It is a main announcement as a result of it means Steam Deck customers can now stream over 2,000 video games at 4K 60FPS by means of GeForce Now, from numerous PC platforms, together with Steam, Epic Video games, Xbox, and extra.

This is every thing you must find out about GeForce Now and the related caveats.

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What’s Nvidia GeForce Now?

It allows you to stream video games from the cloud utilizing highly effective Nvidia {hardware}

In the event you’re not conversant in Nvidia GeForce Now, it is a cloud gaming platform that allows gamers to stream video games from the cloud utilizing Nvidia’s high-end PC {hardware} on their gadgets.

Because of this a Steam Deck (or every other supported device) might be remodeled into a robust gaming PC utilizing cloud expertise. Consequently, video games on GeForce Now can run at as much as 4K 60 FPS, whatever the system’s energy, since all processing is dealt with within the cloud by means of a digital PC, slightly than natively on the system.

Whereas the Steam Deck is a succesful transportable gaming handheld, it struggles to run a number of the newest video games, like Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, at greater settings and respectable body charges on account of its restricted {hardware}. That is why a service like GeForce Now might be useful, because it eliminates these obstacles and permits folks to play any recreation they need on their system, with out being constrained by {hardware} limitations.

By working GeForce Now in your Steam Deck, it does all of the work by means of the cloud and outputs it to your Steam Deck’s show, with out the Deck’s {hardware} being overly utilized. Nvidia claims due to this, Steam Deck customers will expertise “50 p.c longer battery life when streaming from an RTX gaming rig within the cloud.” One main caveat to all that is that you simply want a robust web connection to stream video games from GeForce Now. In the event you’re enjoying at house, this might not be an issue, however for those who’re out and about or touring, it may simply grow to be one.

Moreover, it’s price noting that in order for you the very best expertise from Nvidia GeForce Now, you will have to pay.

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Should you get an LCD or OLED Steam Deck?

It is principally a query of price range and the way diehard you wish to be.

You’ll be able to play GeForce Now at no cost at 1080p

1440p and 4K will value you

Nvidia

GeForce Now has three completely different plans accessible to gamers: Free, Efficiency, and Final.

The Free plan, because the title suggests, does not value something and permits customers to check out GeForce Now. Nevertheless, being free comes with some vital limitations, similar to a decision restrict of 1080P at 60 FPS, the presence of ads, and a session period of just one hour earlier than it resets. The digital PC that runs the video games additionally lacks energy in comparison with the higher-tier choices.

The Efficiency Plan, which prices $10 a month or $50 each six months, is the mid-tier possibility and gives higher efficiency than the free plan, permitting customers to play video games at as much as 1440p at 60 FPS with out adverts. This plan additionally helps ultra-wide screens and RTX ray tracing in video games. Customers obtain 100 hours of playtime per 30 days with this plan, together with six hours of playtime per session.

Nvidia / Bethesda

The very best-tier plan Nvidia gives for GeForce Now known as Final, and it options essentially the most highly effective digital PC, outfitted with an RTX 4080 and a 16-core CPU, for $20 a month or $100 each six months. It may run video games at as much as 4K at 240 FPS, showcasing all of Nvidia’s graphical constancy and efficiency enhancements, similar to DLSS Body Era, Nvidia Reflex, and Nvidia G-Sync. In case your show helps it, this plan additionally gives HDR and HDR10 assist. Much like the Efficiency Plan, it permits for 100 hours of playtime per 30 days, however with eight hours of playtime accessible per session.

Relying on the plan you select, it may doubtlessly improve your Steam Deck into a way more highly effective transportable gaming system. Nevertheless, as I discussed earlier, an excellent web connection is important to realize the perfect expertise with cloud gaming, so preserve that in thoughts. In the event you incessantly use your Steam Deck at house, then GeForce Now could also be price contemplating. Nevertheless, for those who’re typically away from house together with your Steam Deck and will not have entry to a robust web connection, it won’t carry out optimally.

If you wish to give GeForce Expertise a attempt in your Steam Deck, you’ll be able to obtain it from Nvidia’s website and check any of the video games you personal on it. Simply make sure you choose the Steam Deck possibility and comply with the on-screen directions if you go to put in it. I like to recommend watching the video beneath, because it gives a fantastic overview of find out how to set it up accurately. If you do not have a Steam Deck, GeForce Now could be accessible to attempt on Home windows, Mac, and Android. You can too play it on iOS, however solely by means of the Safari browser, not its devoted app.

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