Popular handheld gaming console Steam Deck finally lands in Australia

After waiting for more than two years, the Steam Deck is now officially available in Australia.

Originally released overseas in 2022, the popular handheld device from game-maker Valve is similar in function to a Nintendo Switch, allowing you to take the massive library of PC games available through Steam on the go. 

However, the Steam Deck is more powerful than Nintendo's console, meaning it can play bigger and more visually impressive titles like Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo IV.

Thousands of games are already verified to work on the Steam Deck, while others may require some tinkering with settings to get the best performance (it may be worth checking how much of your Steam library is compatible before you buy).

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Four different models of the Steam Deck are available:

• 256GB LCD, $890.67
• 512GB OLED, $997.79
• 1TB OLED, $1159

The biggest differences between them are the screen and battery, with the OLED models featuring a 7.4" OLED screen that's slightly larger than the entry-level version's 7" LCD screen. 

Battery life will depend on what games you're playing, but Valve says it should range between 3-12 hours on the OLED models compared to 2-8 hours on the LCD. 

Otherwise, all versions of the Steam Deck have the same key features, including a touchscreen, motion controls, Bluetooth connectivity for controllers and headphones, and trackpads that recreate the feeling of playing with a mouse – plus all versions come with a carrying case too.

Where to buy the Steam Deck

While the official way to buy a Steam Deck is directly from Valve, you can still purchase the console from a number of other retailers like Amazon. 

However, these are imported versions sold via third-party sellers, meaning prices and warranty details can vary. We'd recommend reading the fine print before purchasing just to be safe.

Valve Steam Deck 256GB Handheld Gaming Console

$890.67 here

Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB

Get yours for $997.79

Valve Steam Deck OLED 1TB

Buy it now for $1159

Get more out of your Steam Deck

While the biggest selling point of the Steam Deck is its portability, you can also connect it to a TV or computer monitor via a dock to play on a bigger screen. 

Valve's official dock costs around $300 but there are plenty of cheaper options available too.

Valve Steam Deck Docking Station

$279.95 on Big W$279.95 on Catch

Also check out:

JSAUX Docking Station for Steam Deck, $59.99

UGREEN Steam Deck Dock 9-in-1 USB C Docking Station, $84.99

If you want to fit even more games on your Steam Deck, you can also expand its storage space with a MicroSD card.

More ways to game on the go

The Steam Deck isn't your only option for handheld PC gaming – the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally offer similar experiences and have been available from Australian retailers for a while now. 

Lenovo Legion Go Z1 Extreme 512GB

$1499 on Lenovo

ASUS ROG Ally

$931 on Amazon

If you're not a PC gamer and don't need to play the latest and biggest blockbusters, the Nintendo Switch is still a great machine despite being a few years old. Plus, it's the only place you can play the latest Mario and Zelda games.

Handy links to the Switch:

Nintendo Switch Neon Console, $419

Nintendo Switch OLED Console, $479

Nintendo Switch OLED + Super Mario Bros. Wonder Bundle, $539

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