How to Play Marvel Rivals on Steam Deck?

Are you a fan of Marvel and ready to take the action-packed battles on the go? Marvel Rivals, NetEase’s exciting hero shooter, has come to Steam, and it’s now available to play on the Steam Deck. With its fast-paced multiverse skirmishes, this game is one you’ll want to dive into right away.

However, as with any demanding game, there are some compatibility nuances with the Steam Deck to be aware of. Let’s walk you through everything you need to know to get Marvel Rivals up and running on your Steam Deck, including performance tweaks and compatibility tips!

Can I Play Marvel Rivals on Steam Deck?

Yes! Marvel Rivals is available to play on the Steam Deck. The game is marked as “playable” on the Steam Marketplace, meaning you can enjoy it on your handheld console, though there are some caveats. When the game first launched in December 2024, players reported a few issues such as outdated GPU drivers and running out of VRAM during gameplay.

Given that Marvel Rivals uses Unreal Engine 5, which is known for its demanding graphical requirements, you’ll need to optimize your settings to ensure smooth gameplay. While you won’t be able to run the game on the highest settings, you can still expect a fun, playable experience at lower graphics settings, achieving around 40-50 FPS with some tweaks.

• GPU & VRAM: The Steam Deck might struggle with VRAM usage. Since Marvel Rivals is quite demanding, make sure you have enough available memory by adjusting settings as necessary.
• Performance: On high settings, performance may drop significantly. However, tweaking the settings can give you a smoother experience.
• Linux-based Issues: As the Steam Deck runs on a Linux-based operating system, some functionality may not work perfectly out of the box.

Is Marvel Rivals Fully Compatible with Steam Deck?

Marvel Rivals is officially “playable” on the Steam Deck, but that doesn’t mean it’s fully optimized for every feature. While you can enjoy the game, there are some limitations and compatibility issues to keep in mind:

• Launcher/Setup Tool: The game’s launcher or setup tool may require use of the touchscreen or virtual keyboard for certain functions, which could be cumbersome.
• Controller Configuration: By default, some features may not be accessible through the Steam Deck’s controller setup. You might need to use the touchscreen, virtual keyboard, or custom community configurations for the best experience.
• Text Issues: Some in-game text may be too small to read easily. It’s a minor issue, but it’s worth noting when you’re navigating menus or reading dialogue.

Best Marvel Rivals Settings on Steam Deck

To maximize your performance and get the most out of Marvel Rivals on Steam Deck, you’ll need to lower some graphical settings. Although this will compromise the visual quality a bit, it’s essential for smoother gameplay. Here are the best settings to use for optimized performance:

• Frame Generation Mode: AMD FSR3 (Frame Generation)
• Anti-Aliasing & Super Resolution Type: AMD FSR
• Super Resolution Mode: Performance
• Super Resolution Sharpening: 70
• V-Sync: Off
• Graphics Quality: Low
• Resolution: 1280×800

Troubleshooting Common Issues on Steam Deck

While playing Marvel Rivals on Steam Deck is definitely possible, you might run into a few issues along the way. Here’s what you can do to fix them:

1. Black Screens During Cutscenes: If you experience black screens during cutscenes, switching to Proton Experimental (as mentioned above) can often resolve this.

2. Low Frame Rates: Lowering the graphics settings to “Low” and reducing the resolution to 1280×800 should improve frame rates significantly. You may also want to turn off V-Sync for smoother gameplay.

3. Touchscreen & Virtual Keyboard Issues: For certain menu interactions or text input, you may need to use the touchscreen or the virtual keyboard. Ensure that your controller layout is compatible with the game, or use community configurations if needed.

4. Missing or Unreadable Text: Some in-game text might be small and hard to read. Increasing the font size on your Steam Deck or using the zoom feature can help with readability.

Playing Marvel Rivals on the Steam Deck is absolutely doable, but to ensure you get the best experience, you’ll need to tweak some settings and potentially deal with minor compatibility issues. Adjusting the graphics settings and using Proton Experimental should improve the game’s performance, allowing you to enjoy the multiverse chaos wherever you go.

Don’t forget to check out the latest patches and community configurations on the Steam forums for additional performance tips. With the right setup, you’ll be ready to take on Marvel’s mightiest heroes and villains in Marvel Rivals on your Steam Deck!