Best Handheld Games Under $20
Some of the best gaming experiences on Steam Deck and ROG Ally come from indie games that cost under $20. These titles are lightweight on performance, long on content, and perfect for handheld play. Here are the best handheld games under $20 in 2026.
Top Picks at a Glance
| Game | Genre | Price | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow Knight | Metroidvania | $15 | 40+ |
| Hades | Roguelike | $25 (often $15) | 100+ |
| Stardew Valley | Farming RPG | $15 | 100+ |
| Celeste | Platformer | $20 | 15+ |
| Dead Cells | Roguelike | $25 (often $12) | 50+ |
Best Games Under $20
Hollow Knight — $15
One of the greatest indie games ever made. A massive underground world, tight controls, gorgeous hand-drawn art. Runs perfectly on all handhelds, 6–8hr battery on Steam Deck. An absolute must-own. Find on Amazon
Stardew Valley — $15
The ultimate cozy farming RPG. Endlessly replayable, incredibly relaxing, runs flawlessly. Regular updates keep adding content. Perfect for short or long sessions.
Celeste — $20
A precision platformer about climbing a mountain and mental health. Tight controls, beautiful pixel art, emotional story. About 15 hours main story, much more for completionists.
Hades — frequently on sale for ~$15
Supergiant’s roguelike masterpiece. Best-in-class combat, writing, and voice acting. Runs at locked 60fps on all handhelds. 30+ hours to first clear, 200+ to full completion.
Undertale — $10
One of the most unique RPGs ever made. You can complete it without killing anything. Multiple endings, meta humor, unforgettable characters. A true indie classic.
Terraria — $10
2D sandbox survival with RPG progression. Hundreds of hours of content for $10. Perfect handheld game — sessions can be as short or long as you want.
Into the Breach — $15
Turn-based strategy from the Faster Than Light developers. Each run is short (1–2hrs), making it perfect for handheld gaming. Runs on any hardware. Steam Deck Verified.
Cuphead — $20
Hand-drawn 1930s-style run and gun. Brutally challenging boss rush. The art style alone is worth experiencing. Short but unforgettable.
Pro Tip: Steam Sales
Steam runs major sales in Summer (June), Winter (December), and Fall (November). Most of these games drop to 50–80% off. Even the “full price” games above frequently go on sale for $5–10. Check for the current Steam sale before buying.
For more game recommendations, see our guide to the best Steam Deck games and best games for ROG Ally.
FAQs
Are these games Steam Deck Verified?
Most on this list (Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, Hades, Celeste) are Steam Deck Verified or Playable. Terraria and Undertale work great but may need minor input remapping.
Where to find the best game deals?
Use IsThereAnyDeal.com to track historical lows and set price alerts for your wishlist games.