Sega CD Games Now Playable on Steam Deck

This guide details how to play Sega CD games on your Steam Deck using EmuDeck. We'll cover setup, ROM transfer, and troubleshooting.

Pre-Installation: Developer Mode & Essentials

Enable Developer Mode and CEF Remote Debugging on your Steam Deck for compatibility with EmuDeck updates. This involves navigating to Steam > System > Developer Mode, then enabling CEF Remote Debugging within the Developer menu. Switch to Desktop Mode afterward.

You'll need:

• A fast A2 microSD card.
• A formatted microSD card (format it within Steam Deck's Storage settings).
• Legally obtained Sega CD ROMs and BIOS files.
• (Optional but recommended) Keyboard and mouse for easier navigation.

Installing EmuDeck

In Desktop Mode, use a browser (downloaded from the Discovery Store) to download EmuDeck. Choose the Steam OS version, run the installer, select "Custom," and specify your SD card as the installation location. Select RetroArch, MelonDS, Steam ROM Manager, and Emulation Station (or all emulators). Complete the installation.

Transferring Sega CD Files

Use Dolphin File Manager (in Desktop Mode) to transfer your files:

• BIOS: SD Card > Emulation > BIOS
• ROMS: SD Card > Emulation > ROMS > segaCD (or megaCD)

Adding ROMs with Steam ROM Manager

Launch EmuDeck, open Steam ROM Manager, and click "Yes." Follow the prompts, adding your games and parsing metadata.

Fixing Missing Covers

If covers are missing, use Steam ROM Manager's "Fix" function to search for and download them. Manually upload covers if needed using the "Upload" option.

Playing Your Games

Access your Sega CD games via Steam > Library > Collections > Sega CD. Emulation Station (installed earlier) provides an alternative, organized library view accessible via Steam > Library > Non-Steam. Use Emulation Station's scraper for improved metadata.

Decky Loader & Power Tools Installation

Install Decky Loader from its GitHub page. After installation and a Steam Deck restart, use Decky Loader to install Power Tools. Optimize Power Tools settings (disable SMTs, set threads to 4, adjust GPU clock) for improved performance.

Fixing Decky Loader After a Steam Deck Update

If Decky Loader is removed after an update, reinstall it from the GitHub page using the "Execute" option in Desktop Mode. You may need to enter your sudo password.

Enjoy your Sega CD games on your Steam Deck!