Steam Deck: How To Run Game Boy Games

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Steam ROM Manager

After placing your games in the correct folder, use Steam ROM Manager to integrate them into your Steam library:

• Open EmuDeck and click "Steam ROM Manager" on the left panel.
• Select "Yes" to close the Steam client and click "Next."
• In the "Parsers" screen, toggle "Parsers" off.
• Click on the three Game Boy tabs.
• Select "Add Games."
• Once the Steam ROM Manager finishes adding the games and their cover art, click "Save to Steam."
• Wait for the "Done adding/removing entries" message, then close Steam ROM Manager.
• Exit EmuDeck and switch back to Gaming Mode.

Playing Game Boy Games On The Steam Deck

Now that your games are added, you can play them from your Steam library:

• Press the Steam button.
• Open the "Library."
• Navigate to the "Collections" tab.
• Select a Game Boy collection.
• Choose a game and hit "Play."

Customize The Game's Colors

Enhance your Game Boy experience by adjusting colors in RetroArch:

• Launch a Game Boy game.
• Press the "Select" button (with two squares above the left analog stick) and the "Y" button to access the RetroArch menu.
• Navigate to "Core Options."
• Open "GB Colorization."
• Choose "Auto" for color enhancement or "Off" for a more authentic Game Boy display.

Using Emulation Station For Game Boy Games

While you can launch Game Boy games directly from the Steam Library, Emulation Station offers an alternative:

• Press the Steam button.
• Open the "Library."
• Go to the "Collections" tab.
• Select the "Emulators" window.
• Choose "Emulation Station" and select "Play."
• Scroll to the Game Boy icon and press the "A" button to open it.
• Launch your Game Boy games with the "A" button.
• The RetroArch menu can also be accessed through Emulation Station using the "Select" and "Y" buttons.

Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck

To optimize the performance of your Game Boy games, install Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin:

• In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button.
• Access the "Power" menu and switch to "Desktop Mode."
• Open a web browser and visit the Decky Loader GitHub page.
• Click the "Download" button to start the download.
• Once downloaded, double-click the launcher and select "Recommended Install."
• Restart your Steam Deck in Gaming Mode after installation.

Installing The Power Tools Plugin

With Decky Loader installed, add the Power Tools plugin to further enhance your emulation experience:

• In Gaming Mode, access the Quick Access Menu (QAM) and select the plugin icon at the bottom of the side menu.
• Click the store icon next to the settings cogwheel to enter the Decky Store.
• Search for and install the Power Tools plugin.

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

Optimize your Game Boy games with Power Tools:

• Launch a Game Boy game from the "Library" or "Non-Steam" list.
• Press the QAM button to access Decky Loader and select "Power Tools."
• Enable "Turn off SMTs."
• Set "Threads" to 4 using the slider.
• Access the "Performance" menu via QAM.
• Enable "Advanced View."
• Turn on "Manual GPU Clock Control."
• Increase "GPU Clock Frequency" to 1200.
• Enable "Per Game Profile" to save custom settings for each game.

Restoring Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

Steam Deck updates can sometimes break third-party applications like Decky Loader. Here's how to restore it:

• Switch to Desktop Mode using the "Power" menu.
• Launch a web browser and revisit the Decky Loader GitHub page.
• Click "Download" to start the download.
• After downloading, select "Execute" without clicking "Open."
• Enter your pseudo password when prompted.
• If you haven't set a pseudo password before, follow the on-screen instructions to create one.
• Restart your Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.
• Use the QAM to check if Decky Loader and its plugins, including Power Tools, are restored.

By following these steps, you can enjoy your Game Boy games on the Steam Deck with enhanced settings tailored to your preferences. The larger screen and customizable options make the Steam Deck an ideal device for reliving the classics.

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