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, making it ideal 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 > Enable Developer Mode and CEF Debugging.
3. Power > Switch to Desktop Mode.

Install EmuDeck:

1. Connect your keyboard and mouse.
2. Download EmuDeck from the official website in your desktop browser.
3. Choose SteamOS, select "Custom Install," and designate your SD card as the primary installation location.
4. Select desired emulators (RetroArch, Emulation Station, Steam ROM Manager recommended).
5. Enable AutoSave and complete the installation.

Quick Settings (EmuDeck):

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

Add Game Boy Games:

1. Use Dolphin File Manager to access your SD card.
2. Navigate to Primary > Emulation > ROMS > gb.
3. Transfer your .gb ROMs into this folder. Ensure correct filenames.

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 Game Boy Games:

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

Customize Game 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."

Using Emulation Station:

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

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.

Install Power Tools Plugin:

1. Access Decky Loader's Quick Access Menu (QAM).
2. Open the Decky Store and install the Power Tools plugin.

Power Tools Settings:

1. Launch a Game Boy game.
2. Open Power Tools via QAM.
3. Turn off SMTs, set Threads to 4.
4. In the Performance menu, enable Advanced View, Manual GPU Clock Control, set GPU Clock Frequency to 1200, and enable Per Game Profiles.

Restoring Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Re-download and reinstall Decky Loader from GitHub.
3. Restart your Steam Deck.

Enjoy your Game Boy games on your Steam Deck! Remember to use legally obtained ROMs.