Key Takeaways
- Baldur's Gate 3 held the number one most-played spot on Steam Deck for six straight months after launch
- The game stayed in the top five for exactly two years straight before dipping to number six last August
- Only Balatro has beaten BG3's consecutive months at number one, with seven months at the top
Baldur's Gate 3 refuses to leave Steam Deck's most-played charts. In the 33 months since Larian Studios released its sprawling RPG, the game has fallen out of the platform's top five only four times. It has never dropped below number ten.
Valve publishes weekly, monthly, and yearly data on Steam Deck's most-played titles. PCGamer's Ted Litchfield went through the archives to track BG3's performance since its August 2023 launch. The results show a game with unusual staying power on a platform that technically struggles to run it.
The Numbers Behind the Dominance
Baldur's Gate 3 held the number one spot for six consecutive months after launch. Only one game has beaten that record: Balatro, which held the top position for seven months. Stardew Valley comes in third with four nonconsecutive months at number one.
The game stayed in the top five for exactly two years straight after release. It dipped to number six for the first time last August. The lowest it ever fell was number eight in October 2024. Since then, it has rebounded and remained in the top five throughout 2025.
An Unlikely Platform Success
Steam Deck has never been the ideal way to play Baldur's Gate 3. The game punishes the handheld's APU and drains battery life quickly. At launch, players reported getting 20 to 30 frames per second. That is a compromise most action games would not survive.
Two factors make the game work on Deck despite these limitations. First, the turn-based combat system means low framerates do not ruin the experience the way they would in a fast-paced action title. Second, Baldur's Gate 3 controls well on a gamepad. These qualities make it playable on the go, even if not optimal.
Larian also released a native Linux port for the game, which may have improved performance on Steam Deck. The handheld runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system.
What the Data Shows About Steam Deck Players
The persistence of Baldur's Gate 3 on these charts says something about how people use the Steam Deck. Long, story-driven RPGs work well on a portable device. Players can pick up a session during travel or before bed, making progress in chunks rather than marathon sessions.
The data also shows that Steam Deck owners do not simply chase the newest releases. They return to games that offer depth and replayability. Baldur's Gate 3 has multiple origin characters, branching storylines, and different class builds. A single playthrough can take over 100 hours.
Logicity's Take
The Competition
Other games have challenged BG3's position. Balatro, the poker-themed roguelike, managed seven consecutive months at number one. Stardew Valley remains a consistent presence on the charts. But no game has matched Baldur's Gate 3's combination of chart longevity and consistent top-five placement.
The monthly charts since August 2023 tell the story. BG3 claimed the top spot from August through December 2023. It held number one again in January 2024. Even when it slipped, it rarely fell far.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Baldur's Gate 3 been in Steam Deck's top 5?
Baldur's Gate 3 has been in Steam Deck's top five most-played games for 29 of the 33 months since its August 2023 launch. It only fell out of the top five four times.
Does Baldur's Gate 3 run well on Steam Deck?
The game is playable but not optimal on Steam Deck. Players report 20 to 30 fps and significant battery drain. The turn-based gameplay makes the lower framerate acceptable.
What game beat Baldur's Gate 3's record for consecutive months at number one?
Balatro holds the record with seven consecutive months at number one on Steam Deck. Baldur's Gate 3 managed six consecutive months.
What is the lowest Baldur's Gate 3 has dropped on the Steam Deck charts?
The lowest Baldur's Gate 3 dropped was number eight in October 2024. It has never fallen out of the top ten.
Where can I see Steam Deck's most-played games data?
Valve publishes most-played game data publicly, sorted by weekly, monthly, and yearly periods. Gaming on Linux and Steam Deck HQ also archive historical data.
Another look at a game with surprising longevity
Need Help Implementing This?
Source: PCGamer latest
Huma Shazia
Senior AI & Tech Writer
Produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Logicity editorial team. Learn more in our Editorial Policy.
