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The Steam Deck is a powerful device capable of running most modern games, but its PC-like nature also makes it one of the most customizable gaming devices available. With EmuDeck, you can transform your Steam Deck into an ideal platform for playing retro games, including the iconic Game Boy titles.
Despite their age, the beauty and craftsmanship of Game Boy games continue to captivate players, even with their limited color 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 don't require significant power to run on the Steam Deck, achieving perfect emulation requires specific settings. The developers recommend installing Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin to optimize performance. This guide has been updated to include steps for installing Decky Loader and Power Tools, as well as instructions for restoring Decky Loader after a Steam Deck update.
Before Installing EmuDeck
Before installing EmuDeck, ensure you have the following essentials to run emulators and store your favorite Game Boy games:
- A fully charged Steam Deck.
- An A2 microSD card for installing games and emulators.
- Legally owned Game Boy ROMs.
- A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for browsing and transferring ROMs (or a wired keyboard and mouse to use with a Steam Deck docking system).
Change Developer Mode
To prepare your Steam Deck for EmuDeck:
- Press the Steam button.
- Navigate to the System menu and enable Developer Mode.
- Open the Developer menu and turn on CEF Debugging.
- Select the Power option, then choose Switch to Desktop Mode.
- Press the Steam button below the left trackpad, select Power, and switch to Desktop Mode.
Download EmuDeck In Desktop Mode
Once in Desktop Mode, follow these steps to download and install EmuDeck:
- Connect a keyboard and mouse.
- Launch a browser like DuckDuckGo or Mozilla Firefox and visit the EmuDeck website.
- Click 'Download' at the top-right of the page, select 'Steam OS', and choose 'Download for Free'.
- Opt for the 'Recommended Settings'.
- Choose 'Custom Install'.
- On the EmuDeck menu, select the 'Primary' SD card image.
- In the EmuDeck startup process menu, select the 'Primary' SD Card image again.
- You can install all the emulators or select RetroArch, Emulation Station, and Steam ROM Manager, then click 'Continue'.
- Enable Auto Save.
- Skip the next few screens and select 'Finish' to complete the installation.
Quick Settings
After installation, configure EmuDeck with these quick settings:
- Open the EmuDeck program and go to 'Quick Settings'.
- Enable AutoSave.
- Select Controller Layout Match.
- Turn on Bezels.
- Enable Nintendo Classic AR.
- Activate LCD Handhelds.
Adding Game Boy Games To The Steam Deck
With EmuDeck set up, you can now add your Game Boy games:
- Use Dolphin File Manager to access your files.
- Click 'Primary' under 'Removable Devices' on the left panel.
- Open the 'Emulation' folder, then 'ROMS'.
- Find the 'gb' folder and open it.
- Ensure your ROMs have the correct file names (refer to the table below).
- Transfer your Game Boy files into the 'gb' folder.
.gb
Steam ROM Manager
Once your games are in the correct folder, use Steam ROM Manager to integrate them into your Steam library:
- Reopen the EmuDeck program and click 'Steam ROM Manager' on the left panel.
- Select 'Yes' to close the Steam client and click 'Next'.
- In the 'Parsers' screen, toggle off 'Toggle Parsers'.
- Click on the three Game Boy tabs.
- Select 'Add Games'.
- After Steam ROM Manager adds the games and their cover art, select 'Save to Steam'.
- Wait for the 'Done adding/removing entries' message and close Steam ROM Manager.
- Exit EmuDeck and return to Gaming Mode.
Playing Game Boy Games On The Steam Deck
With your Game Boy games now part of your Steam library, you can easily access and play them:
- Press the Steam button.
- Open the Library.
- Go to the 'Collections' tab.
- Select one of the new Game Boy windows.
- Open the game and tap 'Play'.
Customize The Game's Colors
Some Game Boy games have a built-in color option. You can customize the colors through RetroArch:
Not all Game Boy games support color customization.
- Launch 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.
- Navigate to 'Core Options'.
- Open 'GB Colorization'.
- Toggle 'Auto' for color or 'Off' for a more authentic Game Boy presentation.
Using Emulation Station For Game Boy Games
While you can launch your Game Boy games from the Steam Library, Emulation Station offers an alternative:
- Press the Steam button.
- Open the Library.
- Navigate to the 'Collections' tab.
- Select the 'Emulators' window.
- Tap on the 'Emulation Station' window and select 'Play'.
- Scroll to the Game Boy icon and press the A button to open it.
- Press A to launch your Game Boy games.
- The RetroArch command with Select and Y also works through Emulation Station.
Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck
To optimize the performance of your Game Boy games, install Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin:
For easier navigation, connect a wireless or wired keyboard and mouse. If unavailable, use the onscreen keyboard and trackpads.
- In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button.
- Open the Power menu and switch to Desktop Mode.
- Launch a web browser and visit the Decky Loader GitHub page.
- Scroll down and click the large 'Download' icon to begin downloading.
- 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 Game Boy games' performance with Power Tools:
- In Gaming Mode, access the Quick Access Menu (QAM) and select the new plugin icon at the bottom of the side menu.
- Click the store icon next to the settings cogwheel to enter the Decky Store.
- Use the search bar to find and install the Power Tools plugin (or scroll to locate it).
Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games
To optimize your Game Boy games' performance:
- Press the Steam button to open the Library and launch a Game Boy game from the 'Collections' tab or 'Non-Steam' library list.
- After launching the game, press the QAM button to access Decky Loader and select the 'Power Tools' menu.
- Enable 'Turn off SMTs'.
- Adjust the slider and set 'Threads' to 4.
- Press the QAM again to access the 'Performance' menu.
- In the 'Performance' menu, click 'Enable Advance View'.
- Turn on 'Manual GPU Clock Control'.
- Increase 'GPU Clock Frequency' to 1200.
- Enable the 'Per Game Profile' feature to save customized settings for each game.
Restoring Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update
Steam Deck updates can affect third-party apps like Decky Loader. Follow these steps to restore it:
- Re-enter Desktop Mode by pressing the Steam button and selecting the Power menu.
- Once in Desktop Mode, launch a browser and revisit the Decky Loader GitHub page.
- Click 'Download' to begin the download again.
- After downloading, select only the 'Execute' option and avoid clicking 'Open'.
- When prompted, enter your pseudo password in the pop-up box.
- If you haven't created a pseudo password yet, follow the onscreen steps to set one up (choose a strong password for future unofficial app installations).
- Restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.
- To confirm that your Decky Loader app, settings, and plugins are restored, press the QAM button to access your program. If a Steam Deck update removes your Decky software, repeat these steps.
With these steps, you can successfully run Game Boy games on your Steam Deck and fine-tune the settings to your preference. The larger screen of the Steam Deck makes it an excellent platform for enjoying these classic games.
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