This new Steam Deck mod turns the gaming handheld into a Nintendo DS, and I love it

One of the great things about any really popular device, whether a car, a gaming mouse, or a gaming handheld, is that a critical mass of users means you not only often get lots of great accessories for that device, but you get to see the mad ideas that can come from millions of users tinkering with their gear. One such example is this fantastic dual-screen Steam Deck mod that gets you a Nintendo DS-like setup for just over $100.

As you can see from our best Steam Deck accessories guide, the popularity of Valve's pioneering gaming handheld has spawned a vast array of easy upgrades. However, no company has yet gone as far as making a fully custom-fit, dual-screen add-on. Instead, one Redditor has taken it upon themselves to engineer a seriously slick, compact, and cost-effective solution for the Steam Deck.

Amoux_fang is the name of the user in question, and they posted these pictures of this fantastic mod over on the r/SteamDeck Subreddit, of course using an emulated DS version of Pokémon Black and White to showcase their work.

The mod is supremely simple and doesn't require any modification of the handheld itself. It achieves this by taking advantage of the Mechanism Deckmate grip, which you can buy here for $19.99. This simple clip-on accessory provides a universal mounting point for a host of accessories, from kickstands to VESA screen mounts.

Here, Amoux_fang has partnered it with one of the company's phone mounts, which you can buy here for $24.99. Once clipped in, it provides the perfect place to stick your screen of choice.

As for the screen, it's this 7-inch, 1080p option from a company called Wisecoco. Available for just $79.99, it connects to and is powered by your handheld via a USB-C cable, and it seems like an ideal option on paper for such a mod. Moreover, in practice, it looks good too, based on Amoux_fang's images.

This might not be the most portable addition to what remains the best gaming handheld - a new Steam Deck case is a more obvious travel companion - but it's certainly more compact than hanging a laptop screen off the back of an airplane seat (much as we love that solution too).

Seen any impressive Steam Deck mods recently? Why not let us know your favorites over on our community Discord server.