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TheSteam Deckis one ofthe most powerful handheld systemsavailable. There are more powerful rivals, but the Linux OS that works under the hood gives it more versatility than its competitors. This extends to the massive range of titles on the Steam Store and the device’s ability to play games using mods like theEmuDeck.
The EmuDeck lets Steam Deck users emulate retro games (and some modern ones) from the Atari, the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, Dreamcast, and more. To help players get it running, this guide will provide the most pain-free method possible.
Updated on July 04, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:The EmuDeck program is frequently updated with new features to maintain functionality and make playing retro games on the Steam Deck a comfortable and seamless experience. However, these updates may become incompatible following the handheld device’s own updates. As such, this guide has been updated to include the steps for enabling Developer Mode, ensuring that the Steam Deck and EmuDeck remain active on the system.
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:
Enable Developer Mode On The Steam Deck
Before switching over to Desktop Mode and downloading the EmuDeck program, you should make some adjustments to your Wi-Fi and Developer settings. Use the following steps to enable Developer Mode:
Ensure your Steam Deck is set to Stable mode for updates to ensure optimal compatibility with EmuDeck’s update system. Running the Steam Deck in Beta or Beta Candidate Mode will trigger more frequent updates, which may cause issues with the emulators. However, it’s always worth checking if the Developer Mode settings are active after a major update in Stable mode, as it can be switched off by default.
How To Install Emudeck On The Steam Deck
For this guide, players are going to install all available emulators.
How To Improve 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 retro3D systems like the Dreamcast, PS1, Saturn, and more. Use the following steps to adjust the graphics settings for retro games:
One of the top features of EmuDeck is theEmuDeck store,which is filled with non-profit and fanmade games. Take a look in the store and download some of the free games there, as it’s a great way to find out if everything is working as it should with the emulators.
With everything ready, it’s time to place the emulated games and bios in their designated folders and add them to the library so they work from the Steam Deck’s Gaming mode.
How To Add 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 Transferring ROMs
Adding Bios Files
Some console emulators like the PS1 and PS2 require bios files. Like ROM files, they must be transferred to the correct folder:
Steam ROM Manager
Now, it’s time to add the emulated titles to the Steam Deck library under a new tab calledCollections.
You can select as many emulators to manage as you want or all by switching toggle Parsers on.
Fix Missing Artwork
The Steam Rom Manager will allocatethe correct artwork for most emulated games. Unfortunately, some games may not have a preloaded cover. The following steps can be followed to fix the missing artwork:
Uploading Missing Artwork
If the emulated game doesn’t have covers available, Steam Deck users can upload their own:
Troubleshooting Performance Issues On EmuDeck
Some games can run into problems like slowdown and distorted sound when running on the Steam Deck. The following steps can be used to fix performance issues:
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:
New installs won’t include the emulators for the Nintendo Switch. They only work via a hotfix for EmuDeck users who installed before the update.
Some games will operate without trouble, but others may require some tinkering. Playing around with the performance settings on the Steam Deck, turning off framerate limits, and increasing it to 60 FPS should work. Finally,installing PowerTools on the Steam Deck, switching off SMT, and reducing Threads 4 appears to allow most retro games to run on the Steam Deck.
