EmuDeck is the best way to play retro games on the Steam Deck, and here’s how to install it.
The Steam Deck is one of the most powerful handheld systems available. There are more powerful rivals, but the Linux OS that works under the hood gives it more versatility than its rivals. This extends to the massive range of games on the Steam Store and the device's ability to play games using mods like the EmuDeck. The EmuDeck lets Steam Deck users emulate retro games (and some modern) from the Atari, the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, Dreamcast, and many more. To help players get it running, this guide will provide the most pain-free method possible.
Updated April 15, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: The EmuDeck program is a fantastic program that unites many emulators in one place and makes running almost any retro — and some modern — games a smooth experience that Steam Deck users can access and play from their Steam library along with their official games. The EmuDeck has experienced changes with its latest update and this guide includes some new steps and images so users can install the launchers and their games.
Before Installing EmuDeck on the Steam Deck
To run emulated games on the Steam Deck, install the best program available, Emudeck. It allows players to install several emulators and run games from various consoles and gaming systems under one program without becoming too complicated. It lets users have their emulated games appear in their Steam library alongside their purchased Steam Games for a seamless experience.
Recommended Tools for Installation
Before trying to install EmuDeck, Steam Deck users will need to have some tools in place to make the experience as smooth as possible:
- High-Speed A2 miniSD Card. The San Disk Extreme Pro brand is a good recommendation. Even though users can install EmuDeck on the internal SSD, using the SD card for retro games keeps the internal clear for more demanding software.
- Legally owned ROMS and Bios Files. Roms are the ripped video games that users should own legally by purchasing them. The Bios are files needed to run installed for specific emulators.
- USB-C compatible storage device to transfer ROMS and BIOS files.
- Keyboard and Mouse: This guide installs the EmuDeck software in the Steam Deck's Desktop Mode. So using a keyboard and mouse to download and transfer files with keyboard and mouse is a better experience.
Installing Emudeck on the Steam Deck
For this guide, players are going to install all available emulators
- Press the Steam button underneath the left trackpad.
- Highlight Switch to Desktop Mode.
- Open a favorite browser and head to the EmuDeck website to download the installer.
- There are four options for the EmuDeck installer based on the user's operating system. In this case, select SteamOS.
- Move the EmuDeck installer onto the desktop.
- Select Easy Mode or Custom to install individual emulators.
- Select SD for the ROM Directory.
- Select the Steam Deck image as the device.
- Select Continue.
- The EmuDeck installer will begin installing files.
- Use the USB Transfer Tool to add ROMS now or skip and add them later. It's recommended to add the ROM files manually.
- The EmuDeck will be installed and display several options to tinker with.
Improving The Visuals Of Emulated Games
The EmuDeck can improve the look and feel of classic games and even reproduce a CRT-like effect for 2D games and retro 3D systems like the Dreamcast, PS1, Saturn, and more. Use the following steps to adjust the graphics settings on retro games:
- Select Quick Settings from the side menu.
- Switch Autosave on.
- Switch Bezals on.
- Switch Sega Classic AR (Aspect Ratio) to 4:3.
- Switch Nintendo Classic AR to 4:3.
- Switch 3D Classics to 16:9.
- Switch GameCube AR to 16:9.
- Switch LCD Handhelds to On.
- CRT 2D — switching this on will reproduce a CRT TV-like effect.
- CRT 3D — the same as the above.
- With the settings saved, press Go Back.
One of the top features of EmuDeck is the EmuDeck store, which is filled with non-profit and fanmade games. Take a look in the store and download some of the games there, as it's a great way to find out if everything is working as it should with the emulators.
Adding Emulated Games to the Steam Deck Library
Steam Deck users can add their ROMS and Bios files using the transfer ROMs feature. Alternatively, they can manually transfer the ROMS into EmuDeck's folders. Manually copying the ROMS is the most efficient method.
Manually Transfering ROMs
- Ensure the Steam Deck is in Desktop Mode.
- Click on the folder icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
- Under Removable Devices, select Primary.
- Click the Emulation folder.
- Click on the ROMs folder.
- Now, transfer the game ROMs into the relevant folder. For example, PS2 games should be placed into the PS2 folder, PS1 games into the PSX folder, and so on.
Adding Bios Files
Some console emulators like the PS1 and PS2 require bios files. Like ROM files they must transferred to the correct folder:
- In Desktop Mode, access the Dolphin file manager.
- Access the EmuDeck installation on the SD card by selecting Primary on the left panel at the bottom of the drives and folders list.
- Click on the Emulation folder.
- Then open the Bios folder.
- Then transfer the Bios files into the folder.
Steam ROM Manager
Now, it's time to add the emulated titles to the Steam Deck library under a new tab called Collections:
- Select Steam ROM Manager.
- Select Yes in the pop-up box.
- If users don't want all the emulators to appear in their Collections library, switch Toggle Parsers off and manually switch on the required emulators.
- Select the Preview button.
- Select Parse.
- When all the artwork has been downloaded for the games and emulators, select Save to Steam.
- Switch to the Steam Deck's Gaming Mode.
- Press the Steam button to access the Library.
- The new Collections tab will feature the emulated games.
- Avoid setting Proton features to run emulated games, as they rarely work.
Troubleshooting Performance Issues On EmuDeck
Some games can run into problems, like slowdown and distorted sound when running on the Steam Deck. Use the following steps to fix performance issues:
- Run the emulated game.
- Press the QAS button underneath the right trackpad.
- Select the Performance menu.
- Switch on the Use per-game profile option.
- Increase the Frame Limit to 60 FPS.
The Full List Of Emulators On EmuDeck
The EmuDeck installer includes several emulators that allow the Steam Deck to play a vast range of retro games in one place. The list of emulators available is as follows:
- RetroArch: An all-in-one emulator for the PS1, Saturn, Dreamcast, Sega CD, and Nintendo DS.
- Dolphin: GameCube and the Wii
- Primehack: Allows the Steam Deck to run the Metroid Prime Trilogy on the Wii.
- PPSSPP: PSP
- DuckStation: PS1
- melonDS: Nintendo DS
- Citra: Nintendo 3DS
- PCSX2QT: PS2
- RPCS3: PS3
- Yuzu: Switch — this only works for users with older installs.
- RyuJinx: Switch — this only works for users with older installs.
- Xemu: Xbox
- Cemu: Nintendo Wii U
- Steam ROM Manager: Adds games to the Steam Library
- Rosalie's Mupen Gui: N64
- MAME: Arcade
- Vita3K: PS Vita
- ScummVM: Scumm and MS-DOS
- Xenia: Xbox 360 — the Xenia emulator is in beta and isn't as reliable.
- mGBA: GameBoy Advance
New installs won't include the emulators for the Nintendo Switch. They only work via a hotfix for EmuDeck users installed before the update.
Some games will operate without trouble, but others may take some work. Playing around with the performance settings on the Steam Deck, turning off framerate limits, and increasing it to 60 FPS should work. Finally, installing Power Tools on the Steam Deck, switching off SMT, and reducing Threads 4 appear to allow most retro games to run on the Steam Deck.
The Steam Deck is available from the official Steam Deck store.
Screen 7″ diagonal 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio) 60Hz Storage 64 GB — 512 GB CPU AMD APU Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz Battery 40Whr battery. 2 — 8 hours of gameplay Dimensions 298mm x 117mm x 49mm Weight Approx. 669 grams
