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The Steam Deck, a powerhouse of modern gaming, also offers incredible versatility thanks to its PC-like functionality. One of its standout features is the ability to emulate classic games, such as those from the original Game Boy, using EmuDeck. The beauty of these retro games lies not just in nostalgia but in the intricate design and creativity that went into them, despite their simple, monochromatic palette. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to install EmuDeck and enjoy Game Boy games on your Steam Deck.
Updated January 13, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: While the Game Boy games require minimal power to run on the Steam Deck, perfect emulation involves more nuanced adjustments. To achieve this, installing Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin is highly recommended for controlling SMTs and other settings. This guide has been updated to include detailed steps for installing Decky Loader and Power Tools, as well as instructions on how to restore Decky Loader after a Steam Deck update.
Before Installing EmuDeck
Before diving into the world of emulation with EmuDeck, ensure you have the following essentials:
- A fully charged Steam Deck.
- An A2 microSD card for storing emulators and your favorite Game Boy games.
- Legally obtained Game Boy ROMs.
- A Bluetooth or wired keyboard and mouse for easier navigation and file transfer (consider using a docking station with the wired option).
Change Developer Mode
To get started, you'll need to switch on Developer Mode:
- Press the Steam button.
- Navigate to the System menu and toggle Developer Mode on.
- Go to the Developer menu and enable CEF Debugging.
- Select the Power option.
- Choose Switch to Desktop Mode.
Download EmuDeck In Desktop Mode
Once in Desktop Mode, set up EmuDeck by following these steps:
- Connect your keyboard and mouse.
- Open a browser like DuckDuckGo or Mozilla Firefox and navigate to the EmuDeck website.
- Click 'Download' at the top-right of the page, then select 'Steam OS' and 'Download for Free'.
- Opt for 'Recommended Settings' and then choose 'Custom Install'.
- In the EmuDeck menu, select the 'Primary' SD card image.
- Decide whether to install all emulators or just select RetroArch, Emulation Station, and Steam ROM Manager, then click 'Continue'.
- Enable 'Auto Save'.
- Skip the subsequent screens and click 'Finish' to complete the installation.
Quick Settings
- Launch the EmuDeck program and go to 'Quick Settings'.
- Enable 'AutoSave'.
- Choose 'Controller Layout Match'.
- Turn 'Bezels' on.
- Activate 'Nintendo Classic AR'.
- Switch 'LCD Handhelds' on.
Adding Game Boy Games To The Steam Deck
With EmuDeck installed, it's time to add your Game Boy games:
- Use Dolphin File Manager to access your files.
- Click on 'Primary' under 'Removable Devices' in the left panel.
- Navigate to the 'Emulation' folder, then 'ROMS'.
- Open the 'gb' folder.
- Ensure your ROMs are named correctly (refer to the table below for proper file naming).
- Transfer your Game Boy files into this folder.
.gb
Steam ROM Manager
Once your games are in the right folder, use the Steam ROM Manager to integrate them into your Steam Deck:
- Reopen the EmuDeck program and click on 'Steam ROM Manager' in the left panel.
- Confirm to close the Steam client and click 'Next'.
- On the 'Parsers' screen, disable 'Toggle Parsers'.
- Select the three Game Boy tabs and click 'Add Games'.
- After the Steam ROM Manager finishes adding the games and their cover art, click 'Save to Steam'.
- Wait for the confirmation message and close the Steam ROM Manager.
- Exit EmuDeck and return to Gaming Mode.
Playing Game Boy Games On The Steam Deck
Now that your games are added, you can play them directly from your Steam library:
- Press the Steam button.
- Open the 'Library'.
- Navigate to the 'Collections' tab.
- Choose one of the Game Boy collections.
- Select a game and tap 'Play'.
Customize The Game's Colors
Some Game Boy games feature a color option, which can be customized in RetroArch:
Not all Game Boy games support color customization.
- Start a Game Boy game.
- Press the 'Select' button (with two squares above the left analog stick) and the 'Y' button to open the RetroArch menu.
- Go to 'Core Options'.
- Navigate to 'GB Colorization'.
- Choose 'Auto' for color or 'Off' for a more authentic Game Boy experience.
Using Emulation Station For Game Boy Games
For an alternative way to play your Game Boy games, consider using Emulation Station:
- Press the Steam button.
- Access the 'Library'.
- Go to the 'Collections' tab.
- Select the 'Emulators' window.
- Open the 'Emulation Station' window and click 'Play'.
- Scroll to the Game Boy icon and press the 'A' button to open.
- Launch your Game Boy games by pressing 'A'.
- The RetroArch commands (Select + Y) work in Emulation Station as well.
Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck
To optimize your Game Boy emulation experience, follow these steps to install Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin:
For better navigation, use a keyboard and mouse. If unavailable, utilize the onscreen keyboard and trackpads.
- In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button.
- Go to the 'Power' menu and switch to 'Desktop Mode'.
- Launch a web browser and visit the GitHub page for Decky Loader.
- Scroll down and click the large 'Download' icon to start the download.
- Once downloaded, double-click the launcher and select 'Recommended Install'.
- After installation, restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.
Installing The Power Tools Plugin
With Decky Loader installed, enhance your emulation performance with Power Tools:
- In Gaming Mode, open the Quick Access Menu (QAM) and find the new plugin icon at the bottom of the side menu.
- Click the store icon next to the settings cogwheel to access the Decky Store.
- Search for and install the Power Tools plugin.
Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games
- Launch a Game Boy game from the 'Collections' tab or 'Non-Steam' library list.
- After starting the game, access Decky Loader via the QAM and select 'Power Tools'.
- Enable 'Turn off SMTs'.
- Adjust the 'Threads' slider to 4.
- Open the 'Performance' menu from the QAM.
- Enable 'Advance View'.
- Turn 'Manual GPU Clock Control' on.
- Set 'GPU Clock Frequency' to 1200.
- Activate 'Per Game Profile' to save your custom settings for each game.
Restoring Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update
After a Steam Deck update, you may need to restore Decky Loader and its plugins:
- Switch to 'Desktop Mode' via the Steam button and the 'Power' menu.
- Once booted, open a browser and return to the Decky Loader GitHub page.
- Click 'Download' again to initiate the process.
- After downloading, select 'Execute' and avoid clicking 'Open'.
- Enter your pseudo password when prompted.
- If you haven't created a pseudo password yet, follow the onscreen instructions to set one up (choose a strong, memorable password for future installations).
- Restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.
- Verify the restoration of Decky Loader, settings, and plugins by accessing the program through the QAM. If Decky Loader is removed by a future update, repeat these steps.
With these steps, you're all set to enjoy Game Boy games on your Steam Deck, tailored to your preferences. The larger screen of the Steam Deck makes it an ideal platform for revisiting these classic titles.
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