Can you play Counter-Strike 2 on Steam Deck?

Steam Deck users and Counter-Strike 2 fans will want to know if the game can be played on Valve's handheld machine and be taken on the go.

Counter-Strike 2 is the latest version of the legendary tactical FPS series, and while it's still a PC game through and through, the advent of the Steam Deck gives players a chance to explore CS in a slightly different way. But, is Counter-Strike 2 playable on the Steam Deck currently? Read on to find out.

Can you play Counter-Strike 2 on Steam Deck?

Click to enlarge

Counter-Strike 2 can be played on the Steam Deck, with it earning a compatibility rating of 'Playable' according to Valve and the game's Steam page. 

A 'Playable' rating means the game is fully functional, but a few aspects may require extra effort to make it work well. The exact thing stopping Counter-Strike 2 from being fully verified is the fact that "some in-game text is small and may be difficult to read".

Everything else, such as controller configuration, user interface, and graphical configuration all work well with the Deck.

Should you play Counter-Strike 2 on Steam Deck?

It's worth noting though, that Counter-Strike 2 isn't the best game for a Steam Deck. The tactical gameplay and the mechanics of shooting and movement are heavily designed with a keyboard and mouse in mind.

This means using a controller is outright detrimental if you play against others. With that said, you can still enjoy the game on the Deck, and CS has plenty of community modes that you can have just as much fun with using a controller. 

Check out our Counter-Strike homepage for more guides. Otherwise, you can check out the best crosshair codes, an explainer of the global rating system, and the best console commands.