This retro Steam Deck setup sent us straight back to 1998

One Reddit user has used the Steam Deck in the best possible way, to recreate a PC gaming setup that looks directly from the 1990s.

Since the Steam Deck first graced our PC gaming setups, the possibilities of the handheld became endless. While some of us may be basic and purely use the Valve handheld as a way to play our vast Steam library of games on the go, others think outside the box.

Whether it’s using the Linux-based device as a mini-PC, or super-powering the Steam Deck with a modded GPU dock, the possibilities are endless. Yet while some may strive to push the handhelds to their limits to capitalize on the future of handheld gaming, others are inspired by the gaming of the past.

One fan of the Valve handheld took it upon themselves to create a Steam Deck gaming setup that looks like it stepped right out of 1998, lava lump included. Down to the hazy glow of the CRT display, this retro-gaming setup takes us back to the PC gaming of the 90s.

PC gaming like it’s 1998

The nostalgic Steam Deck gaming setup was put together by r/Steam Deck user Beefy_Crunch_Burrito. They didn’t provide a full list of the exact peripherals used to put together this piece of nostalgia. Yet everything looks the part, down to the white and gray colored keyboard and wired mouse.

According to the Reddit user, the main draw of this setup, the Compaq CV535 15-inch CRT display, is running at an 800 x 600 resolution. Thanks to its 85Hz refresh rate, the Steam Deck is having no issues running the likes of Quake 2, a perfect game pick from the PC gaming era of yore.

According to Beefy_Crunch_Burrito, “Everything looks so vibrant and clear, especially motion clarity. This is mainly my retro PC gaming machine now. When I travel, I just take the Deck off the dock and throw it in my bag. It’s perfect.”

Many commenters on r/Steam Deck were quick to praise the retro-inspired setup efforts of Beefy_Crunch_Burrito. Including fellow SubReddit user AssassinWold72, who exclaimed, “What an awesome idea! I am gonna be on the hunt for a CRT now.”

Fellow Reddit user MysticoN stated “I loved this one!! So many memories!! The monitor was abit small tho.”

While some took to the comments to share their love for the nostalgic setup, others gave some recommendations to make it even more authentic for the time period.

One fellow r/Steam Deck Reddit user suggested “This needs an awful faux-wood 90s compute desk around it ASAP.”

While another user, dellterskelter, added “with integrated black plastic CD rack for authenticity.” Combining modern and retro hardware together has become somewhat of a trend as of late, and this Steam Deck setup represents the best of both worlds.