Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Testing 30 Steam Deck 3D prints in 30 days. Day 11: TATE Mode joycon adapters for vertical gaming.
✅ 2 hour print
✅ 48g PETG (for vent heat resistance)
✅ Joycon adapters for handheld vertical play
✅ Vertical stand for desk gaming alternative
✅ Steam officially supports joycon pairing
TATE mode = vertical gaming for vertical scrolling games. In landscape, games like Mushihimesama and Ikaruga use a fraction of the screen with black bars. In portrait with joycons mounted top and bottom? Full screen, the way arcade shmups were designed.
INSTALLATION: Line up the two teeth with first and last vent holes, then clip the other side. Back notches align with Deck screw holes for security. Remove by pulling the side opposite vents. Get it right—wrong installation damages vents.
JOYCON SETUP: Steam officially supports pairing now. Enable both as a pair in desktop mode, slide them into adapters—they lock in firmly with no wobble. Comfortable weight balance, thumbs reach all buttons easily.
GAMES: Works with Steam games (Super XYX, Mushihimesama, Downwell, Ikaruga) and emulation (hundreds more vertical games). Screen feels worlds bigger in vertical—way better than black bars.
ALTERNATIVE: Don't have joycons ($80)? Print the vertical stand instead, use any controller you own. Stand allows two-player and larger controls. Different use cases: adapters for handheld, stand for desk.
For shmup and vertical game players, this is an awesome solution. For everyone else, skip it.
Verdict: Only If You Need It 🟡
Joycon adapter STL: makerworld.com/models/1140868?appSharePlatform=copy
Creator: Okoken
Vertical stand STL: printables.com/model/730636-steam-deck-vertical-stand-for-tate-arcade-mode-or-
Creator: Seraaron (remix) original by Candice
#steamdeck #3dprinting #steamdeckmods #TATEMode #shmups #verticalgaming #joycons
Testing 30 Steam Deck 3D prints in 30 days. Day 11: TATE Mode joycon adapters for vertical gaming.
✅ 2 hour print
✅ 48g PETG (for vent heat resistance)
✅ Joycon adapters for handheld vertical play
✅ Vertical stand for desk gaming alternative
✅ Steam officially supports joycon pairing
TATE mode = vertical gaming for vertical scrolling games. In landscape, games like Mushihimesama and Ikaruga use a fraction of the screen with black bars. In portrait with joycons mounted top and bottom? Full screen, the way arcade shmups were designed.
INSTALLATION: Line up the two teeth with first and last vent holes, then clip the other side. Back notches align with Deck screw holes for security. Remove by pulling the side opposite vents. Get it right—wrong installation damages vents.
JOYCON SETUP: Steam officially supports pairing now. Enable both as a pair in desktop mode, slide them into adapters—they lock in firmly with no wobble. Comfortable weight balance, thumbs reach all buttons easily.
GAMES: Works with Steam games (Super XYX, Mushihimesama, Downwell, Ikaruga) and emulation (hundreds more vertical games). Screen feels worlds bigger in vertical—way better than black bars.
ALTERNATIVE: Don't have joycons ($80)? Print the vertical stand instead, use any controller you own. Stand allows two-player and larger controls. Different use cases: adapters for handheld, stand for desk.
For shmup and vertical game players, this is an awesome solution. For everyone else, skip it.
Verdict: Only If You Need It 🟡
Joycon adapter STL: makerworld.com/models/1140868?appSharePlatform=copy
Creator: Okoken
Vertical stand STL: printables.com/model/730636-steam-deck-vertical-stand-for-tate-arcade-mode-or-
Creator: Seraaron (remix) original by Candice
#steamdeck #3dprinting #steamdeckmods #TATEMode #shmups #verticalgaming #joycons
