Xodus Nexus lets you download and run supported Microsoft Store PC and PC Game Pass games locally on Steam Deck through a Proton-based runtime. It is separate from Xbox Cloud Gaming, which streams games from Xbox servers. A Microsoft account and a valid PC-game purchase or subscription are required, and compatibility varies by title. (Xodus Nexus)
Local play, not cloud streaming
With Xodus Nexus, the game runs on the Steam Deck after you install it. Xbox Cloud Gaming works differently: the game runs on Xbox servers and streams to your device through a browser. Nexus Runtime, the project’s Proton-based compatibility layer, helps run supported Windows PC games in SteamOS.
The project is unofficial. Its documentation describes Nexus Runtime as a fork of Valve’s Proton Experimental that combines Wine, XGameRuntime, graphics translation and supporting libraries. (Xodus Nexus)
Which games can appear in the library?
The library can include PC games you own through Microsoft Store as well as games available through a subscription. You still need a valid license for the PC version. Owning a game for Xbox console does not automatically grant a PC license.
Offline play takes preparation
For a supported game, the project’s instructions say to designate the Steam Deck as the account’s offline PC while connected to the internet, then launch that game online once. It can then start offline while its Microsoft-issued license lease remains valid. Online-only games still need their servers. (Xodus Nexus)
Getting games into SteamOS
The setup involves Desktop Mode, downloading the Xodus Nexus AppImage, signing in to a Microsoft account and installing Nexus Runtime in the app’s settings before launching games. The project says its backend installs on first startup. You can add the launcher or individual games to Steam as non-Steam shortcuts for Game Mode; this requires native Linux Steam, not the Flatpak version. (Xodus Nexus)
The English-language demonstration by LXM0 shows the setup, Steam library shortcuts and gameplay with selected titles, including The Outer Worlds and Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Compatibility listings are not performance guarantees
The project’s compatibility list combines manual tests with user reports. Its labels distinguish playable, partial, startup-verified, unverified and failed results. The project also warns that results can change with game, backend and runtime updates, and that a listing does not guarantee performance on Steam Deck. (Xodus Nexus compatibility list)
That makes the list a starting point for checking an individual game, not a promise that it will run well on your Deck. A game may start without its gameplay or online features being verified.
What one Steam Deck OLED review reported
In a review published October 31, 2026, Patrick O’Rourke reported results from Xodus Nexus 0.4.1 on a Steam Deck OLED. Forza Horizon 6 barely reached 30 fps at Low settings; enabling FSR 3.1 separately improved performance somewhat. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 ran at about 60 fps with FSR on and Medium settings. Dredge reached about 90 fps, with settings unspecified, while Gears of War: E-Day ran at 30–33 fps, also with settings unspecified.
O’Rourke also reported that Star Wars: Outlaws, Far Cry 5 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 failed to load in that test. These results belong to that review’s version and device, rather than establishing how every setup will perform.
