Sega & Steam Collaborate on CD Access

This guide details how to play Sega CD games on your Steam Deck using EmuDeck. It's updated to include Decky Loader and Power Tools for optimal performance and a fix for restoring Decky Loader after a Steam Deck update.

Quick Links

• Developer Mode & Pre-Installation Recommendations

  • Developer Mode
  • Required & Recommended Hardware/Software
  • SD Card Formatting

• Downloading EmuDeck

• Transferring Sega CD Files

  • BIOS File Transfer
  • ROM File Transfer

• Adding ROMs via Steam ROM Manager

• Resolving Missing Covers

  • Adding Downloaded Covers

• Playing Sega CD Games

  • Utilizing Emulation Station

• Installing Decky Loader

• Installing Power Tools

  • Optimizing Power Tools Settings

• Troubleshooting Decky Loader Post-Update

The Sega CD, or Mega CD, enhanced the Sega Genesis/Megadrive with CD-based gaming, offering superior audio and FMV capabilities. EmuDeck on the Steam Deck allows you to revisit this era of gaming.

Updated January 9, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn: This guide is updated to reflect EmuDeck developer recommendations, incorporating Decky Loader and Power Tools for enhanced performance and providing a solution for restoring Decky Loader after Steam Deck updates.

Developer Mode & Pre-Installation Recommendations

Enable Developer Mode and CEF Remote Debugging before installing EmuDeck to maintain compatibility with future updates.

Developer Mode

1. Power on your Steam Deck.
2. Access the Steam Menu (Steam button).
3. Navigate to System > Developer Mode and enable it.
4. Access the Developer menu and enable CEF Remote Debugging.
5. Access the Power menu (Steam button) and switch to Desktop Mode.

Required & Recommended Hardware/Software

• High-speed A2 microSD card for EmuDeck and games.
• Format the SD card on the Steam Deck.
• Legally obtained Sega CD ROMs and BIOS files.
• Optional: Keyboard and mouse for easier file management.

SD Card Formatting

1. Insert the microSD card.
2. Access the Steam menu, navigate to Storage, and format the SD card.

Downloading EmuDeck For The Steam Deck

1. Access the Steam Menu and switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Download a browser (from the Discovery Store), then download EmuDeck.
3. Select the Steam OS version during download.
4. Run the installer, choosing Custom installation.
5. Select your SD card and Steam Deck.
6. Choose RetroArch, MelonDS, Steam ROM Manager, and Emulation Station (or select all emulators).
7. Complete the installation by selecting Finalize.

Transferring Sega CD Files

Transfer your ROMs and BIOS files to the correct folders.

BIOS File Transfer

1. Open the Dolphin File Browser in Desktop Mode.
2. Select your primary SD card.
3. Navigate to Emulation > BIOS and transfer your BIOS files.

ROM File Transfer

1. Navigate to Emulation > ROMS > segaCD (or megaCD).
2. Transfer your ROM files to this folder.

Adding ROMs via Steam ROM Manager

Integrate your Sega CD ROMs into Steam's Gaming Mode.

1. Open EmuDeck and launch Steam ROM Manager.
2. Click Next, then click on the two Nintendo DS windows (this step might be a placeholder from the original guide, it doesn't relate to Sega CD).
3. Click Add Games, then Parse.
4. Steam ROM Manager will prepare your games and covers.

Resolving Missing Covers

Steam ROM Manager usually handles cover art, but some titles might require manual intervention.

1. If covers are missing, select Fix.
2. Search for the game title.
3. Select a suitable cover and click Save & Close.

Adding Downloaded Covers

If SRM can't find a cover:

1. Click Upload.
2. Add your image and click Save & Close.
3. Close SRM and switch to Gaming Mode.

Playing Sega CD Games

Access and play your games from Gaming Mode.

1. Access the Steam Library.
2. Go to the Collections tab.
3. Open the Sega CD folder and launch your games.

Utilizing Emulation Station

Emulation Station provides enhanced organization, especially for multi-disc games.

1. Access the Steam Library > Non-Steam tab.
2. Launch Emulation Station.
3. (For multi-disc games) Navigate to the Sega CD section, select Menu > Scraper > TheGamesDB, select Sega CD, and click Start.

Installing Decky Loader

Decky Loader is needed for Power Tools.

1. (Optional) Connect a keyboard and mouse.
2. Switch to Desktop Mode.
3. Download a browser and navigate to the Decky Loader GitHub page.
4. Download and run the installer, selecting Recommended Install.
5. Restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

Installing Power Tools

Install Power Tools via Decky Loader.

1. Access the Quick Access Menu (QAM) in Gaming Mode.
2. Open the Decky Loader plugin.
3. Access the Decky Store and install Power Tools.

Optimizing Power Tools Settings

1. Launch a Sega CD game.
2. Access the Power Tools menu via QAM.
3. Disable SMTs.
4. Set Threads to 4.
5. Access the Performance menu (battery icon), enable Advanced View, and enable Manual GPU Clock Control.
6. Set GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
7. Use Per Game Profile to save settings.

Troubleshooting Decky Loader Post-Update

Restore Decky Loader after a Steam Deck update.

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Download Decky Loader from GitHub.
3. Select 'Execute', enter your sudo password (or create one if prompted), and follow on-screen instructions.
4. Restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

This completes the guide for installing and running EmuDeck to play Sega CD games on your Steam Deck.