By GamingOnSteam is focused on Steam, SteamOS, and Steam Deck first. Native play is always our starting point. If a game runs well locally on SteamOS, that’s usually the best way to experience it.
So when we talk about GeForce NOW here, it isn’t because of one single feature. It’s the combination of power, flexibility, and gap filling that makes it relevant.
Power is the obvious part. GeForce NOW gives access to very high end PC hardware, with some games running on RTX 5080 class systems and the rest on RTX 4080 level setups. That kind of performance simply isn’t possible on a handheld, and even a lot of desktop PCs won’t match it. For certain games, especially newer or more demanding ones, that extra headroom makes a noticeable difference.
But raw power isn’t the whole story. Sometimes a game technically runs on Steam Deck, but it doesn’t run well. Frame rates might be inconsistent, settings need heavy compromises, or the experience just feels better on a bigger screen. In those cases, streaming the game through GeForce NOW can be the more enjoyable option, especially when playing docked or on a TV or monitor.
The other big reason is compatibility. SteamOS has come a long way, but there are still gaps. Some games don’t work properly because of anti cheat systems, launchers, or platform restrictions. GeForce NOW doesn’t fix everything either, and it has its own missing games, but in practice we’ve found that many of the gaps don’t overlap. If a game isn’t playable on SteamOS, there’s a good chance GeForce NOW has it, and vice versa.
That’s where the complementary part comes in. Neither Steam Deck nor GeForce NOW is perfect on its own. Together, they cover a much wider range of PC games without forcing you into dual booting Windows or constantly troubleshooting compatibility issues.
It’s also worth saying that GeForce NOW isn’t essential. Plenty of people will be perfectly happy playing everything locally on Steam Deck, and that’s great. We don’t treat it as a must have service. It’s more of a useful option to have available when you want more power, better compatibility, or a smoother experience on larger screens.
That balance is why we reference it on GamingOnSteam. Not as a replacement for SteamOS, and not as a universal solution, but as a practical tool that, in many cases, fills the gaps and extends what Steam Deck can already do.