Steam Deck Shortage Goes Global as Stock Issues Spread Worldwide

Global Steam Deck shortages continue to impact availability, with units appearing sporadically across online stores and secondary marketplaces.

Hardware by Tanvir Kabbo on Apr 10, 2026

There is currently a worldwide shortage of Steam Decks, leaving many who want one angry. Valve didn't raise the price of the Steam Deck, which led to the scenario. Instead, they limited supply to keep their manufacturing and shipping costs for the Steam Deck OLED low without raising the retail price. At the same time, the entry-level Steam Deck LCD has been retired, and efforts have been moved to the OLED variant.

The Steam Deck OLED is a lot better overall. Both versions are good handhelds, but the OLED version feels better in your hand. The LCD is still fantastic, but it's not as exciting as it used to be.

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There are stock shortages beyond just the Steam Deck. The Legion Go S, ROG Ally X, and Legion Go 2 are likewise hard to get. In the past, stocks in places outside the US were reasonably consistent, but now there are shortages worldwide. Sometimes, units are available on the Steam shop, but they sell out very rapidly, usually within minutes.

There are still a couple of ways to get a Steam Deck OLED if you want one. If you keep a close eye on the Steam store, you may finally be able to buy something. Secondary marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace can offer real deals, especially in the $250- $400 range. Still, you have to be careful to avoid scammers. eBay is still an option, but prices are usually much higher than they are in stores.

Even if there is a shortage right now, indicators suggest things might improve soon. RAM prices are starting to decline, and supply chains are returning to normal. This means that availability should return to normal sooner than predicted.

Steam Deck 2 Leak and Release Window

A recent leak has given us more information regarding the Steam Deck 2, such as when it will come out. The launch is planned for roughly 2028, however it could be pushed back to early 2029 if necessary.

A release date of around 2028 fits with how hardware usually works. You could lose users' interest if you wait too long between generations, especially in a competitive portable business where new gadgets are often coming out.

The biggest news from the leak is that the chip will no longer be a semi-custom design. Instead, the future Steam Deck is likely to use a ready-made chip that will greatly boost performance while keeping battery life the same. This method gives Valve more options, allowing them to pick the optimal chip closer to launch.

This plan also gives you a big edge. If a better chip comes out just before the release, it can be added without major changes. So, a later release might make the device more powerful and useful.

The original Steam Deck will still be supported, even though a new generation is on the way. Users will still be able to choose whether or not to upgrade, so they can keep using their current gadget if it still works for them.

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Classic Resident Evil Trilogy on Steam Deck

The first three Resident Evil games are finally available on PC. Because they are older, they run well on the Steam Deck. But there are some problems with the setup.

First, the games don't come with built-in controller compatibility, so you have to set up your own controllers. You can easily use community-made profiles, which give you a control system akin to that of current Resident Evil games.

Second, more steps are needed for the games to work properly on Steam. This means employing Proton methods to change some settings in the launcher, which might be hard.

GOG and the Heroic Games Launcher offer a simpler option. If you connect to GOG using Heroic, download the games, and choose a Proton version, the setup is a lot easier. This solution skips most of the technical processes Steam requires, making the experience more seamless from the start.

These old games are still a lot of fun. The Resident Evil remake typically overshadows the original games. However, the original editions of Resident Evil 2 and 3 still feel unique and hold up well. The zapping mechanism in Resident Evil 2 is one of the things that makes the game worth playing again, because it lets choices in one playthrough affect choices in another.

Despite negative reviews of its remake, Resident Evil 3 remains beloved by many. There are various differences, but the original edition gives you a unique experience.

Final Thoughts

The handheld market is in a peculiar situation right now, with strong demand and limited supply for many products. The Steam Deck is still one of the better choices, but people who want to acquire one will have to wait.

The future, on the other hand, seems bright. The next generation could be a big step forward, as the Steam Deck 2 is projected to bring significant enhancements and additional hardware design options.

There are still plenty of wonderful games on the current Steam Deck, and classic games like the Resident Evil trilogy show that great games are still fun no matter how old they are.

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