Sega Master System Games Emulated on Steam Deck

Unleash Retro Gaming on Your Steam Deck: A Guide to Playing Sega Master System Games

The Sega Master System, a classic 8-bit console, boasts a library of fantastic games, many exclusive or with unique versions not found on other platforms. Titles like Golden Axe, Double Dragon, and Streets of Rage shine, showcasing impressive ports and unique gameplay. Even surprisingly advanced titles like Mortal Kombat and Asterix & Obelix pushed the system's limits, delivering near-16-bit experiences.

While playing Sega Master System games on modern hardware can be challenging, the Steam Deck, combined with EmuDeck, makes it remarkably easy. This guide details installing emulators for Sega Master System games on your Steam Deck.

Last Updated: January 15, 2024

This guide has been updated to include Decky Loader and Power Tools, recommended by EmuDeck developers for optimal retro gaming performance, and instructions for fixing Decky Loader after Steam Deck updates.

Before You Begin

Before installing EmuDeck, ensure you have:

• A fully charged Steam Deck or a reliable power source.
• A high-speed microSD card (formatted on the Steam Deck) or an external HDD (note: this will reduce portability).
• A keyboard and mouse (recommended for easier file transfers and installations). Alternatively, use the on-screen keyboard (Steam + X buttons) and trackpads.

Enable Developer Mode

Essential for smooth emulator operation:

1. Open the Steam menu.
2. Navigate to System > System Settings.
3. Enable Developer Mode.
4. Access the Developer menu (bottom of the left panel).
5. Under Miscellaneous, enable CEF Remote Debugging.
6. Restart your Steam Deck.

Important: CEF Remote Debugging may disable after updates, impacting plugins and emulators. Always check after updates.

Installing EmuDeck in Desktop Mode

1. Access Desktop Mode (Steam button > Power > Desktop Mode).
2. Download EmuDeck using a browser (Chrome or Firefox). Choose your SteamOS version.
3. Run the installer, selecting Custom Install.
4. During installation, select your SD card and label it "Primary" for easy identification.
5. Choose to install RetroArch (recommended) for Sega Master System emulation. Select Steam ROM Manager for easy Steam library integration. Consider enabling "Configure CRT Shader for Classic 3D Games" for a retro aesthetic.

Transferring Master System ROMs

1. Open Dolphin File Manager.
2. Navigate to Removable Devices > Primary (your SD card).
3. Open Emulation > ROMS > mastersystem.
4. Copy your Sega Master System ROMs (.sms files) into this folder.

Adding Games to the Steam Library

1. Open EmuDeck in Desktop Mode.
2. Launch Steam ROM Manager.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions, disabling Parsers except for Sega Master System.
4. Add games, parse, and save to Steam.

Fixing or Uploading Missing Artwork

• Fixing: Use the "Fix" option in Steam ROM Manager to automatically find artwork.
• Uploading: If artwork is missing, download it and save it to the Steam Deck's Pictures folder. Then, use the "Upload" option in Steam ROM Manager to add it.

Playing Your Games

1. In Gaming Mode, open your Steam Library.
2. Navigate to your new Sega Master System collection.
3. Select a game to begin playing.

Improving Performance

For smoother gameplay:

1. Open a game and access the Quick Access Menu (QAM).
2. Open the Performance menu.
3. Enable "Use game profile," set Frame Limit to 60 FPS, and enable Half Rate Shading.

Installing Decky Loader

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Download Decky Loader from its GitHub page.
3. Run the installer, choosing Recommended Install.
4. Restart your Steam Deck.

Installing Power Tools

1. Access the QAM, then the Decky Loader menu.
2. Open the Decky Store and install Power Tools.
3. Configure Power Tools (disable SMTs, set Threads to 4, adjust GPU clock in Performance menu).

Fixing Decky Loader After Updates

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Re-download and run the Decky Loader installer (select Execute).
3. Enter your password (or create one).
4. Restart your Steam Deck.