Gaming News: Steam Deck's Nifty Trick for Sega CD Emulation

This guide details how to play Sega CD games on your Steam Deck using EmuDeck. We'll cover setup, ROM transfer, and optimization for optimal performance.

Pre-Installation Steps:

Enable Developer Mode and CEF Remote Debugging on your Steam Deck for compatibility with EmuDeck updates. Instructions:

1. Access Steam Menu (Steam button).
2. Go to System > Developer Mode and enable it.
3. In the Developer menu, enable CEF Remote Debugging.
4. Power down and restart in Desktop Mode.

Essential Requirements:

• High-speed A2 microSD card.
• Formatted microSD card (instructions below).
• Legally obtained Sega CD ROMs and BIOS files.
• Optional: Keyboard and mouse for easier navigation.

Formatting Your microSD Card:

1. Insert the microSD card.
2. Access Steam Menu > Storage.
3. Select "Format SD Card."

Downloading and Installing EmuDeck:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode (Steam button > Power).
2. Download a web browser from the Discovery Store.
3. Download EmuDeck via the browser, selecting the SteamOS version.
4. Run the installer, choose "Custom," and select your microSD card as the installation location.
5. Select RetroArch, MelonDS, Steam ROM Manager, and Emulation Station (or all emulators).
6. Complete the installation.

Transferring Sega CD Files:

1. Open the Dolphin File Browser in Desktop Mode.
2. Navigate to your microSD card (usually labeled "Primary").
3. Go to Emulation > BIOS and transfer your BIOS files.
4. Navigate to Emulation > ROMS > segaCD (or megaCD) and transfer your ROMs.

Adding ROMs with Steam ROM Manager:

1. Open EmuDeck and launch Steam ROM Manager.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts, adding your Sega CD games.
3. Click "Parse" to let the manager organize your games and artwork.

Fixing Missing Covers:

If covers are missing:

1. Use the "Fix" function in Steam ROM Manager.
2. Search for the game title and select the correct cover art.
3. Save changes.

Manually adding covers:

1. Click "Upload" in Steam ROM Manager.
2. Select your downloaded cover image.
3. Save changes.

Playing Your Sega CD Games:

1. Switch to Gaming Mode.
2. Go to your Steam Library > Collections.
3. Find your Sega CD collection and launch your games.

Using Emulation Station:

Emulation Station provides a more organized library experience, especially for multi-disc games. Access it through your Steam Library > Non-Steam. Use the Scraper function for automatic metadata and cover art retrieval.

Installing 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.

Installing and Configuring Power Tools:

1. Access Decky Loader via the Quick Access Menu (QAM).
2. Install Power Tools from the Decky Store.
3. Configure Power Tools (disable SMTs, set Threads to 4, adjust GPU clock if needed).

Restoring Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update:

If Decky Loader is removed after an update:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Re-download Decky Loader from its GitHub page.
3. Run the installer using "Execute" (not "Open").
4. Enter your sudo password (create one if prompted).
5. Restart your Steam Deck.

This comprehensive guide enables you to enjoy your Sega CD collection on your Steam Deck. Remember to always use legally obtained ROMs.