Steam Deck: How To Run Game Boy Games

Quick Links

• Before Installing EmuDeck

  • Change Developer Mode

• Download EmuDeck In Desktop Mode

  • Quick Settings

• Adding Game Boy Games To The Steam Deck

  • Steam ROM Manager

• Playing Game Boy Games On The Steam Deck

  • Customize The Game's Colors

• Using Emulation Station For Game Boy Games

• Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck

• Installing The Power Tools Plugin

  • Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

• Restoring Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

The Steam Deck, a powerful handheld gaming PC, offers incredible customization options. With EmuDeck, you can transform it into a retro gaming powerhouse, perfectly suited for playing classic Game Boy titles. Even these older games, with their limited color palettes, hold a unique charm reflecting the dedication of their creators. This guide details how to install EmuDeck and enjoy Game Boy games on your Steam Deck.

Updated January 13, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: While the Game Boy doesn't demand significant processing power on the Steam Deck, for optimal emulation and performance, we recommend installing Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin to fine-tune settings like SMTs. This updated guide includes these crucial steps, along with instructions for restoring Decky Loader after a Steam Deck update.

Before Installing EmuDeck

Before beginning, gather these essentials:

• A fully charged Steam Deck.
• An A2 microSD card for storing games and emulators.
• Legally obtained Game Boy ROMs.
• A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (or a wired set with a dock) for easier ROM transfer and navigation.

Change Developer Mode

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Navigate to the System menu and enable Developer Mode.
3. Access the Developer menu and enable CEF Debugging.
4. Select Power, then Switch to Desktop Mode.

Download EmuDeck In Desktop Mode

1. Connect your keyboard and mouse.
2. In Desktop mode, use a browser (like DuckDuckGo or Firefox) to download EmuDeck.
3. Click "Download," select Steam OS, and choose the "Free Download" option.
4. Select "Recommended Settings," then "Custom Install."
5. Choose your SD card (labeled "Primary") in the EmuDeck menu.
6. Select the emulators you want (RetroArch, Emulation Station, Steam ROM Manager are recommended) and click "Continue."
7. Enable "Auto Save" and complete the installation.

Quick Settings

1. Open EmuDeck and select "Quick Settings."
2. Enable AutoSave, Controller Layout Match, Bezels, Nintendo Classic AR, and LCD Handhelds.

Adding Game Boy Games To The Steam Deck

Now, transfer your Game Boy games:

1. Use Dolphin File Manager to access your files.
2. Navigate to "Primary" under Removable Devices.
3. Open the "Emulation" folder, then "ROMS," then the "gb" folder.
4. Ensure ROMs have the correct .gb file extension.
5. Transfer your Game Boy ROMs into this folder.

Game Boy File Names: .gb

Steam ROM Manager

1. Reopen EmuDeck and select "Steam ROM Manager."
2. Click "Yes" to close the Steam client and proceed.
3. Turn off "Toggle Parsers."
4. Select the three Game Boy tabs and click "Add Games."
5. After adding games and cover art, select "Save to Steam."
6. Wait for the completion message and close Steam ROM Manager.
7. Exit EmuDeck and return to Gaming Mode.

Playing Game Boy Games On The Steam Deck

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Open your Library, go to the Collections tab, and select your Game Boy collection.
3. Launch a game and click "Play."

Customize The Game's Colors

(Note: Not all games support this.)

1. Launch a Game Boy game.
2. Press the select button (two squares above the left analog stick) and the Y button to open the RetroArch menu.
3. Select "Core Options," then "GB Colorization."
4. Choose "Auto" for automatic colorization or "Off" for accurate Game Boy visuals.

Using Emulation Station For Game Boy Games

Emulation Station provides an alternative launcher:

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Open your Library, go to Collections, select "Emulators," then "Emulation Station."
3. Select the Game Boy icon and launch your games.
4. The RetroArch menu (Select + Y) also works here.

Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck

For enhanced performance, install Decky Loader and Power Tools:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Download Decky Loader from its GitHub page.
3. Double-click the downloaded file and choose the Recommended Install.
4. Restart your Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

Installing The Power Tools Plugin

1. Access the Decky Loader Quick Access Menu (QAM).
2. Click the store icon to access the Decky Store.
3. Search for and install the Power Tools plugin.

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

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

Restoring Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

Steam Deck updates may cause Decky Loader incompatibility:

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

Enjoy your enhanced Game Boy experience on the Steam Deck! The larger screen makes these classic games even more enjoyable.