Games

How To Run Sega CD Games On Steam Deck

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20 seconds ago

January 9, 2025

The Sega CD, or Mega CD, was an accessory for the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, allowing the machine to play more advanced games, effectively making it a new console. It wasn’t a runaway success for the company, but it was a glimpse into the future of CD gaming with its FMV sequences and more. Beyond the cutscenes, the Sega CD boasted superior audio quality due to its CD format, offering an experience that was a significant departure from the MIDI sounds of traditional gaming cartridges.

The Sega CD received enhanced ports of Megadrive/Genesis games like Batman Returns and featured titles like Luna Silver Star Story and Snatcher that used voice and FMV cutscenes. Thanks to programs like EmuDeck on the Steam Deck, you can relive the ’90s and play your favorite Sega CD games. This guide will demonstrate how to do so.

Updated January 9, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn: Running Sega CD games on the Steam Deck is an ideal way to play your collection. However, like any emulator, there may be problems when using it to play games. This guide is updated to include Decky Loader and Power Tools as recommended by the EmuDeck developers. This update also includes a fix to restore your Decky Loader program after a Steam Deck update.

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Table of Contents

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Developer Mode And Recommendations Before Installation

Before installing EmuDeck on the Steam Deck you should enable Developer Mode and CEF Remote Debugging to ensure the Steam Deck remains compatible with the EmuDeck’s updates.

Developer Mode

Switch on the Steam Deck.
Press the Steam button to access the Steam Menu.
Open the System menu and switch on Developer Mode.
Open the Developer menu.
Enable CEF Remote Debugging.
Press the Steam Button, and select the Power menu.
Switch to Desktop Mode.

Recommended And Required Items

A high-speed A2 micro SD card to install the EmuDeck and games.
Format the SD card on the Steam Deck.
Legally owned Sega CD ROMS and BIOS for your games.
You can use a keyboard and mouse to make installation and transferring files easier.

Format Your SD Card

Insert the micro SD Card.
Reopen your Steam menu, and select Storage.
Format SD Card.

Download EmuDeck For The Steam Deck

Press the Steam button.
Select Power and switch to Desktop Mode.
Download a browser from the Discovery Store, open it, and download EmuDeck.
Select download, and select the Steam OS version.
Run the installer and select Custom.
Click on the SD card image.
Then select the Steam Deck.
Select RetroArch, MelonDS, Steam ROM Manager, and Emulation Station. Or install all emulators for later use.
Skip the next few screens and select Finalize to initiate the installation.

Transfer Your Sega CD Files To The Correct Folder

It’s time to move your ROMs and BIOS files into the appropriate folders on the Steam Deck.

Transfer BIOS Files

Open your Dolphin File Browser in Desktop Mode.
Select the SD card labeled as Primary.
Open the Emulation folder.
Select BIOS and transfer your BIOS files in there.

Transfer Your Sega CD ROMS

Open Primary.
Then open Emulation.
Click on ROMS.
Open the folder named segaCD or megaCD – both work.
Transfer your ROMS into that folder.

Add Your ROMS With Steam ROM Manager

Now it’s time to get your Sega CD ROMS to work from the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode by adding them to the Library so they function like your official games.

Open EmuDeck.
Now open Steam ROM Manager from the left panel and click yes.
Click on Next.
Click on the two Nintendo DS windows.
Click on Add Games and then click on Parse.
The Steam ROM Manager will prepare your games and their covers.

Steam Deck: How To Turn It Into A Desktop PC

Here’s everything you need to know to use the Steam Deck as a fully functional Desktop PC.

Fix Missing Covers

The Steam ROM Manager typically identifies and adds all your covers to the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode and library. Nonetheless, certain obscure or imported titles might not appear. To address any missing covers, follow these steps:

If you have missing covers select Fix.
Type the game’s title in the Fix Artwork and Title search bar.
Select one of the game covers on the sidebar and scroll until you find a suitable cover.
Click the cover so it is highlighted in white.
Then click Save and close in the top right of the Steam Rom Manager.

Add Your Downloaded Covers

You may be required to add your covers if the SRM can’t find them. Use a Google image search to locate your game’s cover and follow the steps below.

Click Upload.
Locate and add your image.
Then select Save and Close.
Close SRM and switch back to Gaming Mode.

Play Your Sega CD Games On The Steam Deck

Steam Deck SegaCD version of Syndicate on the Steam Library

The Sega CD games can now be found and played from the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode.

Press the Steam button.
Select the Library.
Move to the Collections tab.
Open the Sega CD folder and play your games from there.

Emulation Station

If you followed the steps above, you should have installed Emulation Station. It’s an excellent way to organize your games and play them with a different library setup.

Press the Steam button.
Select Library.
Open the Non-Steam tab.
Locate Emulation Station and select Play.

Emulation Station is the best way to play games that require multiple CDs as they are clearly labeled.

Navigate to the Sega CD section.
Select the Menu button.
Select Scraper.
In Scrape From opt for TheGamesDB.
Then in Scrape These Systems, select Sega CD.
Click Start.

The Emulation Station program will locate and find your copied games, metadata, and cover art for display within its menu.

Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck

To run Power Tools, tweak the SMTs, and get the performance of a retro console like the Sega CD, the EmuDeck developers also advise you to install the Decky Loader app. To do so, follow these steps.

Connect a keyboard and mouse if you want to make navigation simpler.
If you’re in Gaming Mode, press the Steam button, Power, and Switch to Desktop Mode.
Download a browser from the Discovery Store and launch it in Desktop Mode.
In your preferred browser, navigate to the GitHub Decky Loader page.
To begin the download, find the big Download icon and click on it.
Double-click the launcher after the download is complete, then choose Recommended Install.
With the installation complete, restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

After you have installed the DeckyLoader app, use the Decky Loader program to install PowerTools. To complete the installation, follow the steps outlined below.

Press the Quick Access Menu (QAM) button under the right trackpad and press it to enter Gaming Mode.
Open the new plugin icon at the bottom of the QAM.
Select the store icon at the top of the Decky Loader menu.
In the Decky Store, find the Power Tools plugin and install it.

Optimal Emulation Settings For Power Tools

Press the Steam button, open the Library, navigate to your Sega CD tab under Collections, and launch a Sega CD game.
Press the QAM button, Decky Loader, and select the Power Tools menu.
Turn off SMTs.
Adjust Threads to 4.
First, press the QAM button, then open the Performance menu by selecting the small battery icon.
Enable Advance View.
Then switch the Manual GPU Clock Control On.
Increase GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
Next, choose Per Game Profile to save these settings for individual games.

Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

The Decky Loader application may get deleted from your QAM due to a major Steam Deck update. To restore it, follow these steps.

Press the Steam button to launch Power, then select Desktop Mode if you are still in Gaming Mode.
In Desktop Mode, launch a browser when the Steam Deck restarts.
Head to the Decky Loader GitHub page and click the Download icon.
Select ‘Execute’ and avoid the ‘Open’ option.
Enter your sudo password on the prompt.
Follow the instructions on the screen to create a new sudo password if you have not already. Select a memorable password and make a note for future installs.
After the installation, power off the Steam Deck and restart it in Gaming Mode.
Press the QAM button, and in your Decky Loader app, your settings, and plugins will return to their previous state.

That’s everything required to install and run EmuDeck to play your favorite Sega CD games on the Steam Deck.

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Steam Deck

Brand: Steam (Valve)
Operating System: Advertisement

SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
Storage: 64GB eMMC / 256GB NVMe SSD / 512GB NVMe SSD / 1TB NVMe SSD
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Resolution: 1200 x 800
Ports: USB-C with Power Delivery/DisplayPort
Original Release Date: February 25, 2022
Weight: Approx. 640 grams
Dimensions: 298mm x 117mm x 49mm
Processor: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)