The Steam Deck, a handheld gaming marvel, has earned its place as one of the most powerful gaming systems available. Leveraging the Linux OS, it surpasses its rivals in versatility. However, what truly sets it apart is its compatibility with EmuDeck, a gateway to the world of retro gaming. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the seamless process of installing EmuDeck on your Steam Deck, transforming it into a powerhouse capable of running games from the Atari to the Nintendo Switch.
Things to Know Before Installing EmuDeck
You’ll need to equip yourself with the right tools. Consider these essentials for a smooth installation process:
- High-Speed A2 miniSD Card:
- Opt for the San Disk Extreme Pro for optimal performance.
- While EmuDeck can be installed on the internal SSD, reserving it for more demanding software is advisable.
- Legally Owned ROMs and Bios Files:
- Ensure you have legally owned ROMs, the ripped video games, and the necessary Bios files for specific emulators.
- Complying with copyright laws is crucial; only use ROMs that you have purchased.
- USB-C Compatible Storage Device:
- A must for transferring ROMs and BIOS files seamlessly.
Installing EmuDeck on the Steam Deck
Now, let’s delve into the installation process:
- Press the Steam button under the left trackpad.
- Highlight “Switch to Desktop Mode.”
- Open your preferred browser and navigate to the EmuDeck website to download the installer.
- Move the EmuDeck installer to the desktop.
- Select “Easy Mode.”
- Choose SD as the ROM Directory.
- Select the Steam Deck image as the device.
- The EmuDeck installer will initiate the installation process.
- Use the USB Transfer Tool to add ROMs now or skip and add them later.
- Once installed, EmuDeck will display several options for customization.
Exploring EmuDeck Features:
One standout feature of EmuDeck is the EmuDeck store, a treasure trove of non-profit and fan-made games. It’s an excellent way to test your emulators and ensure everything is running smoothly. To seamlessly integrate your ROMs into the Steam Deck library, follow these steps:
Manually Transferring ROMs:
- Ensure the Steam Deck is in Desktop Mode.
- Click on the folder icon on the taskbar.
- Under Removable Devices, select Primary.
- Navigate to the Emulation folder and then the ROMs folder.
- Transfer your game ROMs into the relevant folders based on the console.
Creating Collections:
- Select “Steam ROM Manager.”
- Confirm with a “Yes” in the pop-up box.
- To filter emulators in the Collections library, switch “Toggle Parsers” off and manually select the desired emulators.
- Click “Preview” and then “Parse” once all artwork is downloaded.
- Save to Steam. Switch to the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode and press the Steam button to access your library.
The List of Emulators on EmuDeck:
EmuDeck comes equipped with a variety of emulators, expanding the Steam Deck’s capabilities to play an extensive range of retro games. Some notable emulators include:
- RetroArch: PS1, Saturn, Dreamcast, Sega CD, Nintendo DS
- Dolphin: GameCube and Wii
- PPSSPP: PSP
- Citra: Nintendo 3DS
- PCSX2QT: PS2
- Yuzu and RyuJinx: Nintendo Switch
- Cemu: Nintendo Wii U
- MAME: Arcade
- Vita3K: PS Vita
Fine-tuning the Steam Deck
While some games run seamlessly, others may require adjustments. Experiment with performance settings on the Steam Deck, such as turning off framerate limits and increasing it to 60 FPS. Additionally, installing Power Tools, disabling SMT, and reducing Threads to 4 seem to enhance the performance of most retro games on the Steam Deck. With EmuDeck, your Steam Deck transcends its modern gaming prowess to become a versatile retro gaming hub. Follow these steps to unlock the full potential of your handheld device, diving into the nostalgic world of classic games seamlessly. Embrace the fusion of old and new, and let the gaming adventures begin on your transformed Steam Deck.
