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 though these games are older, their charm and innovative designs remain captivating, even with their limited color palettes. This guide will walk you through installing EmuDeck and enjoying your Game Boy games on the 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. This allows for fine-tuned control over system settings. This guide has been updated to include these steps, along with instructions for restoring Decky Loader after a Steam Deck update.

Before Installing EmuDeck

Before starting, 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. In the Developer menu, 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") on the EmuDeck menu. 6. Select the same SD card ("Primary") on the EmuDeck startup screen. 7. Choose your emulators (or select RetroArch, Emulation Station, and Steam ROM Manager). Click "Continue." 8. Enable "Auto Save." 9. Skip the remaining screens and click "Finish."

Quick Settings

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

Adding Game Boy Games To The Steam Deck

Now, let's add your Game Boy games:

1. Use Dolphin File Manager to access your files.
2. Under "Removable Devices," click "Primary."
3. Navigate to Emulation > ROMS > gb.
4. Ensure ROMs have the correct .gb 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, click "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.
3. Go to the Collections tab.
4. Select a Game Boy collection.
5. Launch a game and click "Play."

Customize The Game's Colors

Some Game Boy games offer color options despite the original system's limitations. You can enable these through RetroArch:

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" > "GB Colorization."
4. Choose "Auto" for automatic colorization or "Off" for a more authentic experience. (Note: Not all games support this feature.)

Using Emulation Station For Game Boy Games

Emulation Station provides an alternative way to launch your games:

1. Press the Steam button.
2. Open your Library > Collections.
3. Select "Emulators" > "Emulation Station."
4. Select the Game Boy icon and press A to launch.
5. The RetroArch menu (Select + Y) also works here.

Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck

For enhanced performance, install Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin:

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

Installing The Power Tools Plugin

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

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

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

Restoring Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

Steam Deck updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues. To restore Decky Loader:

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

The Steam Deck's larger screen makes it ideal for playing classic Game Boy games. Enjoy!

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