Steam Deck: Playing Game Boy Games Guide

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Steam ROM Manager

Once your games are in the right folder, relaunch the EmuDeck program and proceed as follows:

• Click on "Steam ROM Manager" in the left panel.
• Select "Yes" to close the Steam client and click "Next."
• In the Parsers screen, toggle off "Toggle Parsers."
• Click on the three Game Boy tabs.
• Select "Add Games."
• After Steam ROM Manager adds the games and their cover art, click "Save to Steam."
• Wait for the "Done adding/removing entries" notification, 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 integrated into the Steam Deck, access them from your library with these simple steps:

• Press the Steam button.
• Open the Library.
• Navigate to the Collections tab.
• Select one of the new Game Boy windows.
• Open the desired game and press "Play."

Customize The Game's Colors

Some Game Boy games include built-in color options, despite the original hardware's limitations. You can enhance these games with color or adjust their tone through RetroArch.

Please note that not all Game Boy games support colorization.

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

Using Emulation Station For Game Boy Games

Although you can launch your Game Boy games directly from the Steam Library, Emulation Station offers an alternative method that can be helpful in case of any issues:

• Press the Steam button.
• Open the Library.
• Go to the Collections tab.
• Select the "Emulators" window.
• Click on the "Emulation Station" window and press "Play."
• Scroll to the Game Boy icon and press the A button to select.
• Press A again to start your Game Boy games.
• The RetroArch command using Select and Y buttons also functions within Emulation Station.

Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck

To optimize the performance of your Game Boy games on the Steam Deck, the developers of EmuDeck suggest installing Decky Loader along with the Power Tools plugin. Here’s how to set it up:

For easier navigation, consider connecting a wireless or wired keyboard and mouse. If unavailable, use the onscreen keyboard and trackpads.

• In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button.
• Access the Power menu and switch to Desktop Mode.
• Open a web browser and visit the GitHub page for Decky Loader.
• Scroll down and click the large "Download" icon to start the download.
• Once downloaded, double-click the launcher and select "Recommended Install."
• After installation, restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

Installing The Power Tools Plugin

With Decky Loader installed, enhance your Game Boy games' performance by adding the Power Tools plugin and adjusting your settings:

• In Gaming Mode, open the Quick Access Menu (QAM) and click on the new plugin icon at the bottom of the side menu.
• Access the Decky Store by clicking the store icon next to the settings cogwheel.
• Use the search bar to locate and install the Power Tools plugin, or scroll to find it.

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

• From the Library, launch a Game Boy game via the Collections tab or Non-Steam Library list.
• Once the game is running, press the QAM button to access Decky Loader and select the "Power Tools" menu.
• Choose "Turn off SMTs."
• Adjust the "Threads" slider to 4.
• Press the QAM button again to access the "Performance" menu.
• Click "Enable Advance View" within the Performance menu.
• Turn on "Manual GPU Clock Control."
• Increase the "GPU Clock Frequency" to 1200.
• Enable the "Per Game Profile" feature to save customized settings for each game.

Restoring Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

Major updates to the Steam Deck can significantly alter the user interface, potentially breaking compatibility with third-party apps like Decky Loader. Here’s how to restore Decky Loader and any installed plugins, including Power Tools:

• Press the Steam button and select the Power menu to switch to Desktop Mode.
• After booting into Desktop Mode, open a web browser.
• Return to the Decky Loader GitHub page and click "Download" again.
• Once the download is complete, select only the "Execute" option, avoiding "Open."
• When prompted, enter your pseudo password in the pop-up box.
• If you don't have a pseudo password, follow the onscreen steps to create one. (Choose a strong password for future unofficial app installations.)
• Restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode after installation.
• To confirm that Decky Loader, its settings, and plugins are restored, press the QAM button to access the app. If a Steam Deck update ever removes Decky Loader, repeat these steps.

With these instructions, you're now equipped to run Game Boy games on your Steam Deck and fine-tune settings to your preference. The larger screen of the Steam Deck makes it an ideal platform for enjoying classic Game Boy titles.

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