Steam Deck games on the shelf: This free website makes it possible

hysical PC games have become a rarity – and with Sony announcing plans to phase out discs entirely starting in early 2028, this trend has increasingly frustrated gamers. Reddit user u/Embarrassed_Mix_8072 still wanted something he could actually put on his shelf, so he simply created his own Steam Deck cartridges. He installs individual games on microSD cards and puts them in printed cases. To play, the card is simply taken out of the case and inserted into the Steam Deck. The result looks a little like a physical Nintendo Switch game.

To let other gamers do the same, the Redditor developed a website called My Game Shelf. However, it doesn't sell finished games or cases. Instead, users can create print-ready covers and labels for free to make their own game cases. All that's needed is the app ID or URL of a Steam game. The printed covers can then be inserted into Nintendo Switch-sized cases (a ten-pack currently costs around $25 on Amazon). Since microSD cards don't fit into the existing cartridge holder, self-adhesive SD card holders also need to be attached inside the case.

Those looking for something beyond the free standard case can currently try out two Pro templates as well. One gives entire game series a consistent design with numbered case spines, while the other is intended for Deluxe and GOTY editions, complete with a list of included content. For now, the premium designs are only available in preview mode while the developer works on a payment model. How much they will eventually cost is not yet known.

Looks great on the shelf, but isn't particularly practical

The idea isn't cheap. Especially with large AAA games, a suitable microSD card can cost almost as much as the game itself. There are also a few technical drawbacks. microSD cards are slower than the Steam Deck's internal SSD, which can result in longer installation and loading times in particular. Some users on Reddit also warn that frequently swapping cards could put additional wear on the microSD card slot over time.

The Steam cartridges don't offer the advantages of actual physical games either, at least for now. Installed titles remain tied to Steam and the respective account. For a collection that can be used permanently, DRM-free installation files from GOG would be better suited. The developer therefore plans to add support for additional platforms, particularly GOG, in the future.