Steam Deck: How To Run Game Boy Games

Unleash Retro Gaming on Your Steam Deck: A Comprehensive Guide to EmuDeck and Game Boy Emulation

The Steam Deck's versatility extends beyond modern titles; its PC-like architecture makes it a powerhouse for retro gaming. This guide details how to install EmuDeck and play Game Boy games on your Steam Deck, maximizing performance and customization.

Before You Begin:

Before installing EmuDeck, gather these essentials:

• A fully charged Steam Deck.
• An A2 microSD card for game and emulator storage.
• Legally obtained Game Boy ROMs.
• A Bluetooth or wired keyboard and mouse (recommended for easier navigation).

Enable Developer Mode:

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Navigate to System > Developer Mode and enable it.
3. Enable CEF Debugging in the Developer menu.
4. Switch to Desktop Mode via the Power menu.

Installing EmuDeck:

1. Connect your keyboard and mouse.
2. Download EmuDeck from its official website using a browser like Firefox or DuckDuckGo. Choose SteamOS and the free download.
3. Opt for Custom Install and select your microSD card (Primary) as the installation location.
4. Choose your desired emulators (RetroArch, Emulation Station, Steam ROM Manager are recommended).
5. Enable Auto Save and complete the installation.

Optimizing EmuDeck Settings:

Access EmuDeck's Quick Settings and configure the following:

• AutoSave: On
• Controller Layout Match: On
• Bezels: On
• Nintendo Classic AR: On
• LCD Handhelds: On

Adding Game Boy Games:

Transfer your Game Boy ROMs (.gb files) to the correct location:

1. Use Dolphin File Manager to access your microSD card (Primary).
2. Navigate to Emulation > ROMs > gb.
3. Place your ROMs in this folder, ensuring correct filenames (e.g., game_title.gb).

Integrating with Steam ROM Manager:

1. Open EmuDeck and select Steam ROM Manager.
2. Close the Steam client if prompted.
3. Disable Toggle Parsers.
4. Add your Game Boy games.
5. Save changes to Steam.

Playing Your Games:

1. Access your Steam Library.
2. Go to the Collections tab.
3. Select your Game Boy collection and launch a game.

Enhancing Visuals:

Many Game Boy games support colorization within RetroArch. To enable this:

1. Launch a game.
2. Open the RetroArch menu (Select + Y buttons).
3. Navigate to Core Options > GB Colorization.
4. Toggle Auto or Off for color customization.

Using Emulation Station:

Emulation Station provides an alternative launcher:

1. Open your Steam Library > Collections > Emulators > Emulation Station.
2. Select the Game Boy icon and launch your games.

Boosting Performance with Decky Loader and Power Tools:

For optimal performance, install Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Download Decky Loader from its GitHub page.
3. Run the installer and choose Recommended Install.
4. Restart your Steam Deck.
5. Install Power Tools via the Decky Store (accessible through the QAM).
6. Configure Power Tools (disable SMTs, set threads to 4, adjust GPU clock if needed) for each game using the Performance menu and Per Game Profile feature.

Restoring Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update:

Steam Deck updates may break Decky Loader. To restore:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Re-download Decky Loader from GitHub.
3. Run the installer.
4. Restart your Steam Deck.

Enjoy your enhanced retro gaming experience on your Steam Deck!