Quick Links

• Before Installing EmuDeck

  • Activate Developer Mode

• Installing EmuDeck In Desktop Mode

• Adding Master System Games To The Steam Library

• Fix Or Upload Missing Artwork

  • Upload Missing Artwork

• Playing Master System Games On The Steam Deck

  • Improve Performance

• Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck

• Install Power Tools

  • Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

• Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

The Sega Master System, an iconic 8-bit console that rivaled the NES, brought a plethora of exceptional games to fans, featuring unique ports and exclusive titles. Standouts include thrilling games like Golden Axe, Double Dragon, and Streets of Rage. The console even pushed its limits with games like Mortal Kombat and Asterix & Obelix, which delivered experiences closer to the 16-bit era's Megadrive/Genesis titles.

For retro gaming enthusiasts, playing Sega Master System games on modern systems can be challenging, but the Steam Deck, combined with the powerful EmuDeck software, makes this experience accessible and enjoyable. Here’s how you can install the necessary emulators to play Sega Master System games on your Steam Deck.

Updated January 15, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: Although the Steam Deck is powerful enough to run Sega Master System games, replicating the performance of an 8-bit console can present some issues. To enhance your gaming experience, installing Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin is highly recommended by EmuDeck developers. This guide has been updated to include detailed installation steps and a fix to restore functionality post-Steam Deck updates.

Before Installing EmuDeck

Before you dive into installing EmuDeck for Sega Master System games on your Steam Deck, ensure you have the right tools and settings in place for a smooth setup:

• Keep your Steam Deck plugged into a power source or make sure it's fully charged.
• Use a high-speed micro SD card inserted into the Steam Deck's bottom slot and format it on the device.
• Alternatively, an external HDD can be used, though it will compromise the device's portability.
• For a more efficient setup, connect a keyboard and mouse as you would with a home computer; this simplifies file transfers and program installations.
• If you don't have a keyboard and mouse, you can access the built-in keyboard by pressing the Steam and X buttons simultaneously and use the trackpads in place of a mouse.

Activate Developer Mode

To ensure your emulators and games run smoothly on the Steam Deck, activating Developer Mode is essential:

• Press the Steam button to access the left panel.
• Navigate to the System menu and select System Settings.
• Enable Developer Mode by toggling the switch on.

- Find the Developer menu at the bottom of the left panel.

• Open the Developer menu.
• Under Miscellaneous, activate CEF Remote Debugging.
• Press the Steam Button, select Power, and restart the Steam Deck.

Keep in mind that CEF Remote Debugging can be disabled after a system update, potentially affecting plugins, programs, and emulators. Always check the Developer Menu post-update to ensure it remains enabled.

Installing EmuDeck In Desktop Mode

- To enter Desktop Mode, press the Steam button below the left trackpad, select Power, and choose Switch to Desktop Mode.

• Use a web browser like Chrome or Firefox to download EmuDeck.
• Select the appropriate SteamOS version and start the download. Once downloaded, double-click the installer and opt for the recommended installation to begin.
• Choose Custom Install.
• After installation, navigate to the menu and select the SD card labeled Primary. This will rename your SD card to Primary, making it easier to locate under Removable Devices in the Dolphin file manager.
• You can install all emulators or focus solely on the Sega Master System by selecting Retroarch.

RetroArch allows you to run various emulators for classic gaming systems through one application, accessible under the 'Emulators' tab in the Steam library.

• Ensure the Steam Rom Manager is also selected alongside Retroarch to integrate the games into your main Steam library.
• Explore the options and activate the 'Configure CRT Shader for Classic 3D Games' feature for an authentic retro look.
• Click Finish to complete the installation.

Transferring Master System ROMs

With Retroarch and EmuDeck set up, it's time to transfer your Sega Master System ROMs to their designated folders:

• Launch the Dolphin File Manager.

- In the left panel, navigate to Removable Devices and open the SD card labeled Primary.

• Go into the Emulation folder and then to ROMS.
• Find the 'mastersystem' folder in the list.
• Transfer or copy your Sega Master System ROM files, which usually have the '.sms' extension, such as 'Pro Wrestling.sms.' Ignore the 'media' file.

Adding Master System Games To The Steam Library

To enjoy Sega Master System games in Gaming Mode, you need to add them to your Steam Library:

• Open EmuDeck in Desktop Mode.
• Access the Steam Rom Manager.
• Click Next on the Welcome to SRM! page.
• Disable Parsers.
• Highlight Sega Master System on the Parsers screen.
• Click Add Games and then Parse.
• Confirm the games and cover art are displayed correctly and click Save to Steam.

Fix Or Upload Missing Artwork

With the Sega Master System being a retro console, you might encounter missing or incorrect artwork. Here’s how to fix or replace it:

• Click Fix on the cover frame.
• The Steam ROM Manager usually displays cover art automatically. If it's missing, type the game's title into the Search for game field.
• Browse the available game covers, select the best one, and click Save and close.

Upload Missing Artwork

If the Steam Rom Manager can't find the right cover, upload one manually:

• Use a browser to find the correct artwork and save it to the Steam Deck's Pictures folder.
• Click Upload on the cover frame.
• Select the new artwork from the Pictures folder, then save and close.
• If the image doesn’t appear, click the left and right arrows to locate it.
• Click Save to Steam.
• Once the batch files are processed, switch back to the Steam Deck's Gaming Mode.

Playing Master System Games On The Steam Deck

Once the Steam Rom Manager has added the game covers and artwork to your Steam library, accessing your emulated games is straightforward:

• In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button under the left trackpad.
• Select Library from the side menu.
• Press the R1 button to navigate to the Collections tabs.
• Click on the Sega Master System window.
• Choose your Sega game and start playing.

Improve Performance

Some classic games might experience stuttering or frame rate issues on the Steam Deck. Here’s how to enhance performance:

• Launch your Sega Master System game and press the QAM button under the right trackpad.
• Open the Performance menu.
• Enable 'Use game profile'.
• Set the Frame Limit to 60 FPS.
• Turn on Half Rate Shading.

Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck

EmuDeck developers recommend installing Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin to gain more control over the Steam Deck's performance for emulated games. Here’s how to set it up:

• For a smoother navigation experience, connect a keyboard and mouse. (Alternatively, use the trackpads for cursor control and the on-screen keyboard by pressing Steam and X.)
• If in Gaming Mode, press the Steam button, select Power, and switch to Desktop Mode.
• Open a web browser. You can download browsers from the Discovery Store if needed.
• Visit the GitHub Decky Loader page.
• Click the large Download icon to start the download.
• Once downloaded, double-click the launcher and select the Recommended Install option.
• After installation, restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

Install Power Tools

With Decky Loader installed, you can now add the Power Tools plugin:

• In Gaming Mode, press the Quick Access Menu (QAM) button beneath the right trackpad.
• In the QAM, select the new plugin icon at the bottom.
• Navigate to the store icon at the top of the Decky Loader menu.
• In the Decky Store, find the Power Tools plugin and install it.

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

• Press the Steam button and open your Library to launch a Master System game from the Collections menu.
• Press the QAM button, select Decky Loader, and then the Power Tools menu.
• Disable SMTs.
• Set the number of Threads to 4.
• Open the Performance menu by pressing the QAM button and selecting the small battery icon.
• Enable Advanced View.
• Turn on Manual GPU Clock Control.
• Increase GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
• Select the Per Game Profile option to save these settings for each game.

Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

Major Steam Deck updates can alter menus and settings, potentially removing third-party apps from the Quick Access menu. Here’s how to restore Decky Loader and its plugins:

• If in Gaming Mode, press the Steam button to access the Power menu and switch to Desktop Mode.
• Upon restarting in Desktop Mode, open a web browser.
• Navigate to the Decky Loader GitHub page and click the Download icon.
• This time, select Execute.
• Enter your pseudo password when prompted.
• If you haven’t set up a pseudo password yet, follow the on-screen instructions to create one. Choose a memorable password and keep a record for future use.
• After installation, power off the Steam Deck and restart it in Gaming Mode.
• Press the QAM button, and Decky Loader, along with your settings and plugins, should be restored.

Rate NowYour comment has not been saved