Steam Deck: How To Run Game Boy Games

This guide details how to install EmuDeck and play Game Boy games on your Steam Deck, optimizing performance with Decky Loader and Power Tools. The Steam Deck, a powerful handheld, is highly customizable and perfect for retro gaming.

Before You Begin:

Ensure you have:

• A fully charged Steam Deck.
• An A2 microSD card for games and emulators.
• 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. Go to System > Developer Mode and enable it.
3. Enable CEF Debugging in the Developer menu.
4. Switch to Desktop Mode.

Install EmuDeck:

1. Connect your keyboard and mouse.
2. Download EmuDeck from its website using a browser (e.g., Firefox).
3. Choose SteamOS and select "Download for Free."
4. Select "Recommended Settings" then "Custom Install."
5. Choose your SD card as the Primary installation location.
6. Select desired emulators (RetroArch, Emulation Station, Steam ROM Manager recommended).
7. Enable Auto Save.
8. Complete the installation.

Quick Settings (EmuDeck):

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

Add Game Boy Games:

1. Use Dolphin File Manager to access your SD card's Emulation/ROMS/gb folder.
2. Transfer your .gb ROM files (correctly named) into this folder.

Use 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.
6. Wait for completion and close Steam ROM Manager.
7. Return to Gaming Mode.

Play Your Games:

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

Customize Colors (RetroArch):

(Not all games support this)

1. Launch a game.
2. Open the RetroArch menu (Select + Y).
3. Go to Core Options > GB Colorization.
4. Choose "Auto" or "Off."

Use Emulation Station:

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Go to Library > Collections > Emulators > Emulation Station.
3. Select Game Boy and launch your game. RetroArch menu access (Select + Y) remains functional.

Install Decky Loader:

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 in Gaming Mode.

Install Power Tools:

1. Access Decky Loader's store via the QAM.
2. Search for and install Power Tools.

Power Tools Settings:

1. Launch a Game Boy game.
2. Open Power Tools via the QAM.
3. Turn off SMTs. Set Threads to 4.
4. Go to Performance > Enable Advanced View.
5. Enable Manual GPU Clock Control. Set GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
6. Use Per Game Profile to save settings.

Restoring Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Re-download Decky Loader from GitHub.
3. Run the installer (Execute only).
4. Enter your pseudo password (create one if needed).
5. Restart your Steam Deck.

Enjoy your enhanced Game Boy experience on your Steam Deck!