Valve's Steam Deck Just Got More Expensive, Oh Boy

The Steam Deck may have started the PC handheld revolution, but since then a lot more of the big technology players have entered the game and it's a considerably more competitive field than ever before.

That said, Valve's creation is still a remarkably impressive bit of kit and one that is considerably more reasonably priced than almost all of the major competitors currently gunning for top spot.

If you're yet to look at the current offering, the store features several models of the Steam Deck that vary significantly in cost, based on internal storage, screen type and other component considerations.

The cheapest was always the 256GB LCD version of the handheld, and though it doesn't pack quite enough of a punch for everyone, it was a great way of getting into playing games on the go.

Now, unfortunately, it looks like that option is about to go away forever and it's a major blow that really smarts for the budget conscious gamers amongst us.

Dabe Alan/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Valve Pulls Steam Deck LCD 256GB Model From Sale

Over on Reddit, one user shared a screenshot from the Steam store confirming that Valve has pulled the 256GB LCD Steam Deck model from its manufacturing process, meaning that once every copy is sold, it's gone forever.

This removal of the cheapest version of the console is going to make the barrier to entry that little bit higher for potential handheld gamers, with the Steam Deck already the most reasonable brand on the market.

Though Valve didn't specify exactly why they have made the move on what is, very likely, one of the more popular versions of the console, it could have something to do with additional component prices.

• If you want to see more from GAMINGbible, make us a preferred source on Google

In particular, the cost of RAM has increased exponentially over the last year or two, as AI data centres continue to ruin everyone's lives without really contributing anything useful to the equation.

Given the very low cost of this model, it may well purely be that it's no longer a profitable piece of hardware for the company to produce.

They do also have some recent form in that department, with Valve confirming that there will be no subsidised pricing on the upcoming Steam Machine, leading to fears that the new console-esque release could price most out.

Despite this disappointing news, there are still several models of the Steam Deck in active production that are considerably cheaper than the equivalents from other brands.