How To Run Sega Dreamcast Games On The Steam Deck

The Sega Dreamcast was the last machine the company launched before bowing out of the console market. It didn’t reach the heights of the PS1 and PS2 in sales, but the console was home to some memorable classics that are still worth playing today.

Games like SoulCalibur, Jet Set Radio, Powerstone, Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, and more were a big step up from the PS1 and the N64 and even rivaled early PS2 games. Nowadays, Dreamcast fans can run their games on the handheld PC with the Steam Deck through a powerful emulator called EmuDeck.

Updated December 16, 2024 by Michael Llewellyn: The Flycast emulator is one of the best on the EmuDeck program. However, even Dreamcast games can run into issues if you haven’t configured your Steam Deck’s SMTs.

This can be achieved by utilizing Power Tools via the Decky Loader app as recommended by the EmuDeck development team. This updated guide includes the steps to install Decky Loader, Power Tools, and a fix to recover your Decky Loader app after a Steam Deck update.

Before Installing EmuDeck On The Steam Deck

Before installing the EmuDeck to run Sega Dreamcast games on the Steam Deck, users must have specific items and tools to make the process less challenging and keep the Steam Deck’s internal SSD safe:

• High-speed A2 Micro SD card: Use a high-speed SD card to protect the Steam Deck’s internal SSD, download games, and run powerful titles on the handheld machine without issues.
• Legally owned Dreamcast ROMS: Owners of Sega Dreamcast games can run ROMs on the Steam Deck’s emulation app.
• Keyboard and Mouse: This guide installs the EmuDeck software in the Steam Deck’s Desktop Mode. For an easier experience, players should use a keyboard and mouse to download and transfer files.

Enable Developer Mode On The Steam Deck

Before installing EmuDeck for playing Dreamcast and other classic games on the Steam Deck, it is advisable to activate Developer Mode and modify certain settings. Follow these steps to access and enable the feature.

• Press the Steam button .
• Locate and open the System menu.
• Select Enable Developer Mode to activate a new menu.
• You can locate the new Developer menu at the bottom of the left access menu.
• In the menu Switch CEF Debugging on.
• Press the Steam button again.
• Select Power and Switch to Desktop Mode to get the Steam Deck ready to install Decky Loader.

Keep an eye on the most important updates for your Steam Deck. The updates can sometimes disable developer mode or CEF debugging by default. If you use the Steam Deck in beta mode, more updates will be triggered, but if you use it in stable mode, larger and more important patches may be activated. Check the developer settings of your Steam Deck to make sure the emulators are running correctly in Gaming Mode.

How To Install EmuDeck On The Steam Deck For Dreamcast Games

The EmuDeck is a fantastic program that can install multiple emulators for gaming consoles in one place, or users can single out the ones they want and stick with those. These steps focus on installing the EmuDeck program to cover all bases:

• Press the Steam button below the left trackpad.
• Select the Power option and switch to Desktop Mode.
• Download the EmuDeck via this link using a preferred browser like Firefox, Chrome, etc.
• Select the SteamOS version and download it.
• After EmuDeck has downloaded, double-click the installer to begin the installation process.
• Select Custom Install.
• On the EmuDeck menu, select the SD card image.
• As mentioned above, the EmuDeck can run multiple emulators, but the emulator needed for Dreamcast games is called the Flycast.
• Select the Flycast emulator and ensure Steam Rom Manager is selected for installation.
• In the EmuDeck menu, select Quick Settings.
• Switch Autosave on.
• Switch on CRT 2D and CRT 3D.

How To Add Dreamcast Games To The Steam Library

Transferring Dreamcast Files

• Open the Dolphin File Manager.
• Select and open Primary on the bottom left panel to access the SD card.
• Open the Emulation folder.
• Then open ROMS.
• Open the Dreamcast folder and transfer the Dreamcast ROM files to it. Each file should end with .cdi.

Some Dreamcast games have different file extensions, but the .cdi is the most reliable.

Adding Dreamcast Games To The Library

With the legally owned Dreamcast game files in the correct folder, it’s time to add Dreamcast games to the Steam library.

• Select Steam Rom Manager from the side menu.
• Click Yes on the prompt to close the Steam app running in the background.
• On the Parsers menu, select the tab with the Dreamcast logo – RetroArch Flycast.
• Select Add Game.
• Click Refresh to open the Steam Rom Manager.
• EmuDeck’s Steam Rom Manager will locate the games and their artwork to save them on the Steam library.
• If you’re happy with the cover art for the emulated games, select Save to Steam.

How To Fix Missing Artwork On EmuDeck

The Steam Rom Manager has a vast database of cover art for games, but it can occasionally select the wrong cover, or there may be occasions where the appropriate art is missing altogether. Moreover, the EmuDeck can have trouble locating the art for modified or Japanese games. The following steps can be used to fix or customize missing artwork:

• If the Steam Rom Manager displays the wrong cover art, select Fix.

• Enter the game’s title in the Fix Artwork and Title search bar.
• The Steam Rom Manager should display a selection of new covers for the game. Click a cover so the tab turns white.

• Save and close to add the new artwork.
• Then, select Save to Steam, wait for the app to finish adding games and art to the Steam library, and close EmuDeck.

How To Upload Missing Or Custom Artwork

Some Japanese, untranslated, or modded games may cause issues for the EmuDeck. Thankfully, you can add your own covers and artwork with the following steps:

• Download and save your preferred cover art using a browser in the Steam Deck’s Desktop Mode.
• Save it to the Pictures folder.
• Open the Steam Rom Manager within EmuDeck.
• Select Add Game.
• Then Refresh.
• Instead of clicking Fix, select Upload.

• Locate the cover art in the Pictures folder, then Save and Close.
• Select Save to Steam, wait for the app to finish adding games and art to the Steam library, and close EmuDeck.

How To Play Dreamcast Games On The Steam Deck

After adding games via the Steam Rom Manager, it’s time to play Dreamcast games from the Steam library. The following steps can be used to access the games:

• In gaming mode, press the Steam button.
• Select the Library menu.
• Press the R1 button to highlight Collections.
• Open the Dreamcast tab, then select and play the Dreamcast games.

If games are running slowly,
press the QAS button
under the right trackpad, highlight the
Performance
menu,
increase the Frame Limit to 60 FPS
, and toggle Use per-game profile on.

Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck

If previous measures don’t improve your Sega Dreamcast games’ performance, install Decky Loader and Power Tools. Decky Loader allows for adding plugins like Power Tools, which can significantly enhance your Steam Deck experience. Follow the steps to install them both.

• For enhanced navigation, it is recommended to connect a wireless or wired keyboard and mouse to the Steam Deck. Alternatively, the on-screen keyboard and trackpads are available for use.
• Ensure the Steam Deck is in Gaming Mode.
• Press the Steam button and open the Power menu.
• Then s witch to Desktop Mode.
• Open a browser and navigate to the Decky Loader GitHub page.
• To begin the download, click on the large Download icon.
• Once the download is complete, double-click the newly downloaded Decky launcher select Recommended Install, and wait for the installation to finish.
• Restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

The EmuDeck developers suggest installing the Power Tools plugin to get better performance from retro titles like Sega Dreamcast games. Use the following steps to install the plugin and adjust the settings.

• Ensure the Steam Deck is in Gaming Mode.
• Press the button with the three dots beneath the right trackpad AKA the Quick Access Menu (QAM) button.
• Open the new plugin icon at the bottom of the menu.
• Open the store icon next to the settings gear wheel to access the Decky Store.
• Type Power Tools in the search bar or scroll down for the plugin and click install.

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

• Press the Steam button to open the Library.
• Open one of your Dreamcast games from the Non-Steam Library or you can find the new Dreamcast block under the collections tab.
• While the game is playing, press the QAM button to launch the Decky Loader, then open the Power Tools menu.
• Turn off SMTs.
• Change the slider and set the Threads to 4.
• Press the QAM button and open the Performance menu indicated by the battery icon.
• Enable Advance View in the Performance menu.
• Toggle the Manual GPU Clock Control On.
• Increase GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
• Save these settings for individual games by switching on Per Game Profile.

Restore Your Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

With significant Steam Deck updates altering the UI, menus, and adding new features, they can disrupt the function of the Decky Loader program which is merged into your Quick Access Menu. Unfortunately, the update may remove the program altogether. Follow these steps to restore your Decky Loader program:

• Ensure the Steam Deck is in Desktop Mode – if not press the Steam button, select Power, and switch to Desktop Mode.
• In Desktop Mode open your favorite browser.
• Head to the Decky Loader GitHub page and click Download.
• Launch the installer, and only select the Execute option —avoid clicking open.
• When prompted, type your sudo password into the pop-up box.
• If you haven’t set a sudo password, follow the on-screen instructions to create one. Choose a password that you can easily remember and keep a note of it if you plan to install unofficial third-party apps later.
• Wait for the installation to finish and restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.
• Press the QAM button to restore your Decky Loader app, settings, and plugins to their previous state before the update. Use this guide if a Steam Deck update removes the application in the future.