Sega CD Classics Now Embracing Steam Deck Compatibility

This guide details how to play Sega CD games on your Steam Deck using EmuDeck. It's updated to include Decky Loader and Power Tools for optimal performance.

Quick Links

• Developer Mode & Pre-Installation Recommendations

  • Developer Mode
  • Essential & Recommended Items
  • SD Card Formatting

• EmuDeck Download & Installation

• Sega CD File Transfer

  • BIOS File Transfer
  • Sega CD ROM Transfer

• Steam ROM Manager Integration

• Addressing Missing Game Covers

  • Adding Downloaded Covers

• Playing Sega CD Games on Steam Deck

  • Emulation Station Usage

• Decky Loader Installation

• Power Tools Installation & Configuration

  • Optimal Power Tools Emulation Settings

• Decky Loader Restoration Post-Steam Deck Update

The Sega CD, or Mega CD, enhanced the Sega Genesis/Megadrive with CD-based gaming, offering superior audio and FMV capabilities. EmuDeck on the Steam Deck allows you to revisit this era of gaming.

Updated January 9, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn: This guide now incorporates Decky Loader and Power Tools, recommended by EmuDeck developers, and includes a fix for Decky Loader restoration after Steam Deck updates.

Developer Mode & Pre-Installation Recommendations

Enable Developer Mode and CEF Remote Debugging before installing EmuDeck to ensure compatibility with future updates.

Developer Mode

1. Power on your Steam Deck.
2. Access the Steam Menu (Steam button).
3. Navigate to System > Developer Mode and enable it.
4. Access the Developer menu and enable CEF Remote Debugging.
5. Access the Power menu (Steam button) and switch to Desktop Mode.

Essential & Recommended Items

• High-speed A2 microSD card for EmuDeck and games.
• Format the SD card 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 the microSD card.
2. Access the Steam menu, navigate to Storage, and format the SD card.

EmuDeck Download & Installation

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

Sega CD File Transfer

Transfer your ROMs and BIOS files to the correct folders.

BIOS File Transfer

1. Open the Dolphin File Browser in Desktop Mode.
2. Select the primary SD card.
3. Navigate to Emulation > BIOS and transfer your BIOS files.

Sega CD ROM Transfer

1. Navigate to Emulation > ROMS > segaCD (or megaCD).
2. Transfer your ROMs to this folder.

Steam ROM Manager Integration

Add your Sega CD ROMs to your Steam Deck's game library.

1. Open EmuDeck, then Steam ROM Manager.
2. Click Next, then Add Games, then Parse. Steam ROM Manager will prepare your games and covers.

Addressing Missing Game Covers

Steam ROM Manager usually adds covers, but some may be missing.

1. If covers are missing, select Fix. Search for the game title and select a cover. Click Save and Close.

Adding Downloaded Covers

If SRM can't find a cover:

1. Click Upload, locate your image, and click Save and Close.

Playing Sega CD Games on Steam Deck

Access your Sega CD games in Gaming Mode.

1. Press the Steam button, select Library > Collections > Sega CD.

Emulation Station Usage

Emulation Station provides a different library organization, especially useful for multi-disc games.

1. Press the Steam button, select Library > Non-Steam, and launch Emulation Station. Use the Scraper function to add metadata and artwork.

Decky Loader Installation

Install Decky Loader for Power Tools and performance tweaks.

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Download Decky Loader from its GitHub page.
3. Run the installer and choose Recommended Install. Restart in Gaming Mode.

Power Tools Installation & Configuration

Install and configure Power Tools via Decky Loader.

1. Access Decky Loader via the QAM.
2. Install Power Tools from the Decky Store.
3. Configure settings (disable SMTs, set Threads to 4, adjust GPU clock in Performance menu).

Optimal Power Tools Emulation Settings

• Disable SMTs.
• Set Threads to 4.
• Enable Manual GPU Clock Control and increase GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
• Use Per Game Profile to save settings.

Decky Loader Restoration Post-Steam Deck Update

Restore Decky Loader after a Steam Deck update.

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Redownload Decky Loader from GitHub.
3. Run the installer (using 'Execute'). You may need to enter your sudo password.
4. Restart the Steam Deck.

This completes the guide on setting up and playing Sega CD games on your Steam Deck.