Steam Deck: How To Run Sega CD Games

This guide shows you how to play your Sega CD games on a Steam Deck using EmuDeck. We'll cover everything from initial setup to troubleshooting post-update issues.

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 (enable).
3. Go to Developer menu > CEF Remote Debugging (enable).
4. Steam Button > Power > Desktop Mode.

Essential Items:

• High-speed A2 microSD card (for EmuDeck and games).
• Formatted microSD card (format it on the Steam Deck).
• Legally obtained Sega CD ROMs and BIOS files.
• (Optional but recommended) Keyboard and mouse for easier file management.

SD Card Formatting:

1. Insert microSD card.
2. Steam Menu > Storage > Format SD Card.

EmuDeck Installation:

1. Steam Button > Power > Desktop Mode.
2. Download a browser (from Discovery Store), then download EmuDeck. Choose the Steam OS version.
3. Run the installer, select "Custom," choose your SD card, select Steam Deck as the target, and choose RetroArch, MelonDS, Steam ROM Manager, and Emulation Station (or all emulators).
4. Complete the installation.

Transferring Sega CD Files:

• BIOS: Desktop Mode > Dolphin File Browser > SD card (Primary) > Emulation > BIOS. Transfer your BIOS files here.
• ROMS: Desktop Mode > Dolphin File Browser > SD card (Primary) > Emulation > ROMS > segaCD (or megaCD). Transfer your ROMs.

Adding ROMs with Steam ROM Manager:

1. Open EmuDeck, then Steam ROM Manager. Click "Yes."
2. Click "Next," then the two Nintendo DS windows (this is a quirk of the interface).
3. Click "Add Games," then "Parse." SRM will prepare your games and covers.

Fixing Missing Covers:

If covers are missing:

1. Click "Fix."
2. Search for the game title.
3. Select a cover, click "Save and Close."

To manually add covers: Click "Upload," locate your image, and click "Save and Close."

Playing Sega CD Games:

1. Steam Button > Library > Collections > Sega CD.
2. Select your game.

Using Emulation Station:

Emulation Station (if installed) provides a more organized library. Access it through Steam Button > Library > Non-Steam. To improve metadata: Emulation Station Menu > Scraper > TheGamesDB > Sega CD > Start.

Decky Loader Installation:

(Recommended by EmuDeck developers for Power Tools)

1. Desktop Mode.
2. Download Decky Loader from its GitHub page.
3. Double-click the launcher, select "Recommended Install."
4. Restart in Gaming Mode.

Power Tools Installation and Optimization:

1. Gaming Mode > QAM button > Decky Loader store icon.
2. Install Power Tools.
3. Launch a Sega CD game.
4. QAM > Decky Loader > Power Tools: Turn off SMTs, set Threads to 4.
5. QAM > Performance > Advance View > Manual GPU Clock Control (On) > GPU Clock Frequency (1200).
6. Select "Per Game Profile" to save settings.

Restoring Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update:

1. Desktop Mode.
2. Download Decky Loader from GitHub.
3. Select "Execute" (not "Open").
4. Enter your sudo password (create one if needed).
5. Restart in Gaming Mode.

Enjoy your Sega CD games on your Steam Deck!