How Nvidia’s GeForce Now Revitalized My Steam Deck Experience: A Comprehensive Test

I really hope gaming doesn’t turn into just another streaming subscription that keeps raising costs. I’m wary of giving Nvidia even more control right now. Still, I can’t ignore how well their $20-a-month GeForce Now service fits with the Steam Deck. After 15 years of covering cloud gaming, I’ve found my first real reason to play indefinitely.

For those unfamiliar, Nvidia’s GeForce Now is a cloud-based game streaming service. Instead of using your Steam Deck’s chip, you’re essentially controlling a powerful server with an RTX 4080 from afar. You can connect it to your Steam, Epic, or other gaming accounts to pick up where you left off.

While there is a free tier and a "Performance" tier, I wouldn’t recommend them. I found a big difference in quality: it’s like viewing a game through a clean window versus a dirty one. With the right settings on GeForce Now, playing games like Alan Wake II becomes a fully immersive experience, even in 4K resolution.

Handheld gaming has become my favorite way to play. The Steam Deck is lightweight and easy to grab whenever I’m in the mood. However, my aging gaming setup struggles with recent titles. Games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can look pretty rough on it. With GeForce Now, I can play all these titles at nearly maximum settings from anywhere in my home. Plus, when I dock the Steam Deck to my 4K TV, it produces stunning visuals that rival consoles like the PS5 Pro.

In 2023, I tested GeForce Now’s major upgrades. My colleague Tom and I noted that it still didn’t quite match a native PC experience. But when playing on a handheld or far from my TV, the imperfections don’t stand out as much.

One recent statistic to consider is that Nvidia has built over 35 global data centers, including 14 in the U.S. This means that users across different locations experience decent performance. My AT&T Fiber connection paired with being close to a data center made for a smooth gaming session. Colleagues with other internet providers reported similar positive experiences.

For instance, Cameron Faulkner mentioned he didn’t feel latency while playing, allowing him to nail tricky gameplay moments. Yet, there can still be hiccups that can disrupt your game. While single-player titles may forgive some lag, competitive shooters demand more precision.

Despite these occasional issues, the fact that GeForce Now allows long play sessions stands out. My tests showed that while handhelds might wear down their batteries in two hours on low settings, I could game for 7 or 8 hours using GeForce Now.

Setup is straightforward now, thanks to the new native app. You don’t need to fuss with browser workarounds anymore—it’s as simple as downloading the app and scanning a QR code to link your accounts.

Buying games remains a bit tricky, though. Nvidia’s library is growing, with many games now available on GeForce Now, but not everything makes the cut. As of today, out of my 457 Steam games, only about 165 are playable. You won’t find titles from companies like Sony, Rockstar, or some major franchises like Elden Ring and FIFA.

Cloud gaming has certainly improved, making it a compelling option to consider, especially when the cost of GPUs is sky-high. However, it might not be the best fit for everyone. A trial pass allows you to test it out for a day, which could be worth considering if you’re on the fence.

In the end, while GeForce Now has its ups and downs, it’s starting to reshape how I think about gaming. Wouldn’t it be great if more people gave it a try?

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