Play Sega CD on Steam Deck: Easy Guide

This guide shows you how to play your Sega CD games on your Steam Deck using EmuDeck. We'll cover everything from initial setup to troubleshooting post-update issues.

Quick Links

• Developer Mode and Pre-Installation Recommendations

  • Enabling Developer Mode
  • Essential and Recommended Hardware/Software
  • Formatting Your SD Card

• Downloading EmuDeck

• Transferring Sega CD Files

  • BIOS File Transfer
  • Sega CD ROM Transfer

• Adding ROMs via Steam ROM Manager

• Resolving Missing Covers

  • Adding Downloaded Covers

• Playing Your Sega CD Games

  • Using Emulation Station

• Installing Decky Loader

• Installing Power Tools

  • Optimizing Power Tools Settings

• Troubleshooting Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update

The Sega CD (or Mega CD) enhanced the Sega Genesis/Megadrive, adding CD-based games with superior audio and FMV capabilities. While not a massive success, it offered a glimpse into the future of gaming. EmuDeck on the Steam Deck lets you revisit this era.

Updated January 9, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn: This guide now includes Decky Loader and Power Tools, recommended by EmuDeck developers, and instructions for fixing Decky Loader after a Steam Deck update.

Developer Mode and Pre-Installation Recommendations

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

Enabling 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. Open the Developer menu and enable CEF Remote Debugging.
5. Access the Power menu (Steam button) and switch to Desktop Mode.

Essential and 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.

Formatting Your SD Card

1. Insert the microSD card.
2. Open the Steam menu, go to Storage, and format the SD card.

Downloading EmuDeck

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

Transferring Sega CD Files

Move your ROMs and BIOS files to the correct folders.

Transferring BIOS Files

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

Transferring Sega CD ROMs

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

Adding ROMs with Steam ROM Manager

Add your Sega CD ROMs to the Steam Deck's game library.

1. Open EmuDeck, then Steam ROM Manager.
2. Click Next, then click on both Nintendo DS windows (if prompted).
3. Select Add Games, then Parse.
4. Steam ROM Manager will prepare your games and covers.

Resolving Missing Covers

Steam ROM Manager usually finds covers, but some might be missing.

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

Adding Downloaded Covers

If SRM can't find a cover:

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

Playing Your Sega CD Games

Access and play your games.

1. Press the Steam button, select Library, then Collections.
2. Open the Sega CD folder and launch your games.

Using Emulation Station

Emulation Station is ideal for managing games, especially multi-disc titles.

1. Press the Steam button, select Library, then Non-Steam.
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. Connect a keyboard and mouse (optional).
2. Switch to Desktop Mode.
3. Download Decky Loader from its GitHub page.
4. Double-click the launcher and choose Recommended Install.
5. Restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

Installing Power Tools

Install Power Tools via Decky Loader.

1. Open the Decky Loader plugin in Gaming Mode.
2. Go to the Decky Store and install Power Tools.

Optimizing Power Tools Settings

1. Launch a Sega CD game.
2. Open Power Tools via Decky Loader.
3. Disable SMTs, set Threads to 4.
4. Open the Performance menu, enable Advance View, turn on Manual GPU Clock Control, set GPU Clock Frequency to 1200, and save a per-game profile.

Troubleshooting Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update

Reinstall Decky Loader if it's missing after an update.

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

This completes the guide. Enjoy your Sega CD games on your Steam Deck!