After Years of Waiting, the Steam Deck Arrives in Australia

After much anticipation and patient waiting, Valve has finally announced that the Steam Deck, the revolutionary portable gaming device, will officially launch in Australia this November. This announcement is monumental for fans of handheld gaming in the region, as it marks the end of a long wait since the product’s initial launch over two years ago.

Exciting new adventures await Down Under.

When the Steam Deck was first unveiled in 2022, it created a significant stir in the gaming community, thanks to its robust hardware, impressive performance, and the ability to deliver a near-fully-fledged PC gaming experience in a compact form. However, Australia was notably missing from the list of initial launch countries, forcing eager fans to rely on grey imports, often at inflated prices without official support or warranty.

“We’ve been working on bringing Steam Deck to Australia for a while,” the company shared. “It took a bit more time than we expected, and we’re pleased that we can finally make this announcement.”

The Steam Deck will be available in three distinct models, catering to different gaming needs:

• 256GB LCD
  Display: 1280×800 LCD, 7” display size, up to 60Hz refresh rate
  Battery: 40Whr
  Storage: 256GB
  Includes: 45W power supply, 1.5m cable, carrying case
  Price: $649

• 512GB OLED
  Display: 1280×800 OLED, 7.4” display size, up to 90Hz refresh rate
  Battery: 50Whr
  Storage: 512GB
  Includes: 45W power supply, 2.5m cable, carrying case
  Price: $899

• 1TB OLED
  Display: 1280×800 OLED, anti-glare, 7.4” display size, up to 90Hz refresh rate
  Battery: 50Whr
  Storage: 1TB
  Includes: 45W power supply, 2.5m cable, carrying case with removable liner, exclusive startup movie and keyboard theme
  Price: $1,049

As the handheld gaming landscape continues to expand with competitors like the ROG Ally X and Lenovo’s Legion Go, the advent of the Steam Deck in Australia could serve to ramp up the competition and provide consumers with more choices than ever before. At its official price point, it stands as one of the more economical options compared to other handhelds currently available.

Community excitement is building around the Steam Deck’s release.

While specific details regarding retail partnerships have yet to be announced, current expectations suggest that, much like in other regions, purchasing the Steam Deck will be conducted directly through Steam. This move reassures potential buyers about the authenticity of their purchase and provides the necessary consumer protections that have been lacking with grey imports.

For Australian players eager to get their hands on this innovative device, pre-orders are expected to start ahead of the official launch with a wishlist option already available on Steam. This rollout is set to coincide with PAX Australia, where Valve’s announcement is sure to generate even more buzz among gamers in attendance.

As we closely watch the imminent arrival of the Steam Deck in Australia, gamers can prepare themselves by familiarizing with the device’s capabilities and offerings. With new titles optimized for this handheld experience, players across the continent can soon look forward to fully leveraging the portability and power of Valve’s flagship gaming console. Praise indeed goes to Gaben!

Conclusion

The introduction of the Steam Deck in Australia marks a significant milestone for handheld gaming, promising to reshape the market landscape by providing a competitive, high-quality option for players. With Valve’s commitment to enhancing the gaming experience for mobile users, the landscape of portable gaming is about to get much more exciting.

Stay tuned for more updates and reviews on the Steam Deck, as we embark on this new gaming journey together!