Steam Deck: How To Run Sega Game Gear Games

This guide details how to install and use EmuDeck to play Sega Game Gear games on your Steam Deck, maximizing performance with Decky Loader and Power Tools.

Before You Begin: Preparing Your Steam Deck

Before installing EmuDeck, ensure you've taken these crucial steps:

Enable Developer Mode:

1. Access the Steam menu.
2. Navigate to System > System Settings.
3. Enable Developer Mode.
4. Access the newly appeared Developer menu, then Miscellaneous.
5. Enable CEF Remote Debugging.
6. Restart your Steam Deck.

Essential Equipment:

• An A2 microSD card (or external HDD connected via dock) for storing ROMs and emulators, preserving internal SSD space.
• A keyboard and mouse (recommended for easier file management and artwork searching).
• Legally obtained Game Gear ROMs (copies of games you own).

Installing EmuDeck

Now, let's install EmuDeck:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck.
2. Open a web browser and download EmuDeck from its official website.
3. Select the Steam OS version and choose Custom Install.
4. Select your microSD card (Primary) as the installation location.
5. Choose your desired emulators (RetroArch, Emulation Station, Steam ROM Manager are recommended).
6. Enable Auto Save.
7. Complete the installation.

Quick EmuDeck Settings

1. Open EmuDeck and access Quick Settings.
2. Ensure AutoSave is enabled.
3. Enable Controller Layout Match.
4. Set Sega Classic AR to 4:3.
5. Turn on LCD Handhelds.

Transferring ROMs and Using Steam ROM Manager

Let's add your Game Gear ROMs:

1. In Desktop Mode, use Dolphin File Manager to navigate to Primary > Emulation > ROMs > gamegear.
2. Transfer your ROMs into this folder.
3. Open EmuDeck, then Steam ROM Manager.
4. Close the Steam Client when prompted.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions, selecting the Game Gear icon and adding your games.
6. Verify artwork is correct, and save to Steam.

Fixing Missing Artwork

If artwork is missing or incorrect:

1. In Steam ROM Manager, click "Fix."
2. Search for the game title.
3. Select the correct artwork, save, and save to Steam. Remove any numbers preceding the game title in the ROM filename if the manager fails to find the correct artwork.

Alternatively, manually upload missing artwork:

1. In Desktop Mode, find the artwork online and save it to the Steam Deck's Pictures folder.
2. In Steam ROM Manager, click "Upload," select the image, and save.

Playing Your Games

1. Switch back to Gaming Mode.
2. Open your Steam Library.
3. Access the Collections tab (R1 button).
4. Select your Game Gear game and play.

Performance Optimization:

To avoid 30 FPS limitations and sound issues:

1. Press the QAM button (three dots below the right trackpad).
2. Select Performance.
3. Enable "Use per-game profile."
4. Set the Frame Limit to 60 FPS.

Installing Decky Loader and Power Tools

For enhanced performance:

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. Press the QAM button.
2. Open the Decky Loader plugin store.
3. Install the Power Tools plugin.
4. In Power Tools, disable SMTs, set Threads to 4, enable Manual GPU Clock Control, set GPU Clock Frequency to 1200, and enable Per Game Profile.

Fixing Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update

If Decky Loader disappears after an update:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Download Decky Loader again from GitHub.
3. Run the installer (choose Execute, not Open).
4. Enter your sudo password.
5. Restart your Steam Deck.

Enjoy your Game Gear games on your Steam Deck! Remember to always obtain ROMs legally.