This guide details how to install and play Sega Game Gear games on your Steam Deck using EmuDeck, maximizing performance with Decky Loader and Power Tools. We'll cover setup, ROM transfer, artwork fixes, and troubleshooting.
Quick Links:
- Before Installing EmuDeck
- Installing EmuDeck
- Transferring ROMs and Using Steam ROM Manager
- Fixing Missing Artwork
- Playing Game Gear Games
- Installing Decky Loader
- Installing Power Tools
- Fixing Decky Loader After Updates
The Game Gear, Sega's 90s handheld, offered a vibrant color display and innovative features. While not as enduring as the Game Boy, its game library is now accessible on the Steam Deck via EmuDeck. This guide ensures optimal performance. Updated January 8th, 2025.
Prepare your Steam Deck:
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Enable Developer Mode: Navigate to
Steam Button > System > System Settings > Enable Developer Mode. Restart your Steam Deck. Enable CEF Remote Debugging under the Developer menu's Miscellaneous settings. Restart again. -
Recommended: An A2 microSD card (or external HDD with dock) for ROMs and emulators, a keyboard and mouse for easier file management, and legally obtained Game Gear ROMs.
- Switch to Desktop Mode.
- Download EmuDeck from its website.
- Choose the SteamOS version and "Custom Install."
- Select your microSD card as the primary installation location.
- Choose your desired emulators (RetroArch, EmulationStation, Steam ROM Manager recommended).
- Enable "Auto Save."
- Complete the installation.
- In EmuDeck's Quick Settings, enable AutoSave, Controller Layout Match, set Sega Classic AR to 4:3, and turn on LCD Handhelds.
Transferring ROMs and Steam ROM Manager
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Transfer ROMs: In Desktop Mode, use Dolphin File Manager to transfer your Game Gear ROMs to
/Emulation/ROMs/gamegear. -
Steam ROM Manager: Open EmuDeck, launch Steam ROM Manager, close the Steam client, and follow the on-screen instructions to add your Game Gear ROMs to your Steam library. Ensure artwork is correctly assigned.
Use Steam ROM Manager's "Fix" function to search for and download missing artwork. Remove any numbers preceding game titles in the ROM filenames as this can interfere with artwork detection. Manually upload artwork from online sources if necessary, using the "Upload" function in Steam ROM Manager.
Switch to Gaming Mode, access your Game Gear collection in the Steam Library, and launch your games. To improve performance:
- Access the Quick Access Menu (QAM), select Performance, enable per-game profiles, and set the Frame Limit to 60 FPS.
- Switch to Desktop Mode.
- Download Decky Loader from its GitHub page.
- Run the installer and choose "Recommended Install."
- Restart your Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.
- Access the Decky Loader plugin store via the QAM.
- Install the Power Tools plugin.
- In Power Tools settings, disable SMTs, set Threads to 4, enable Manual GPU Clock Control, and set GPU Clock Frequency to 1200. Enable per-game profiles.
Fixing Decky Loader After Updates
After Steam Deck updates, reinstall Decky Loader from its GitHub page using the command line (execute, not open) to preserve your settings.
Enjoy your Game Gear games on your Steam Deck!
