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, optimizing performance for a flawless experience.

Before You Begin:

Ensure you have:

• 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).

Enabling Developer Mode:

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

Installing EmuDeck:

1. Connect your keyboard and mouse.
2. In Desktop Mode, download EmuDeck using a browser (e.g., Firefox, DuckDuckGo).
3. Choose SteamOS and download.
4. Select Recommended Settings and then Custom Install.
5. Designate your SD card as the Primary installation drive.
6. Choose your desired emulators (RetroArch, Emulation Station, Steam ROM Manager recommended).
7. Enable Auto Save.
8. Complete the installation.

Optimizing EmuDeck Settings:

Open EmuDeck and access Quick Settings:

• Enable AutoSave.
• Select Controller Layout Match.
• Enable Bezels.
• Enable Nintendo Classic AR.
• Enable LCD Handhelds.

Adding Game Boy Games:

1. Use Dolphin File Manager to access your SD card (Primary > Emulation > ROMs > gb).
2. Ensure ROMs are correctly named (.gb extension).
3. Transfer your Game Boy ROMs to the gb folder.

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 to Steam.

Playing Your Games:

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Open your Library > Collections.
3. Select your Game Boy collection and launch a game.

Customizing Game Colors (RetroArch):

Some Game Boy games support colorization within RetroArch:

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

Utilizing Emulation Station:

Emulation Station provides an alternative launcher:

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

Enhancing Performance with Decky Loader and Power Tools:

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

1. Download Decky Loader from its GitHub page in Desktop Mode.
2. Perform a Recommended Install.
3. Restart your Steam Deck.
4. Access Power Tools via the Decky Loader plugin in Gaming Mode.
5. Disable SMTs, set Threads to 4, and adjust GPU clock speed (e.g., 1200 MHz) for enhanced performance. Enable Per Game Profile to save settings individually.

Restoring Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update:

Steam Deck updates may cause Decky Loader incompatibility. To restore:

1. Re-enter Desktop Mode.
2. Re-download Decky Loader from GitHub.
3. Execute the installer (avoiding "Open").
4. Enter your pseudo-password (create one if needed).
5. Restart your Steam Deck.

Enjoy your enhanced retro gaming experience on your Steam Deck!