Quick Links

• Before Installing EmuDeck

  • Activate Developer Mode

• Installing EmuDeck In Desktop Mode

• Adding Master System Games To The Steam Library

• Fix Or Upload Missing Artwork

  • Upload Missing Artwork

• Playing Master System Games On The Steam Deck

  • Improve Performance

• Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck

• Install Power Tools

  • Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

• Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

The Sega Master System, an iconic 8-bit console, provided gaming enthusiasts with memorable titles that were either exclusive or uniquely adapted for the platform. From exceptional ports like Golden Axe, Double Dragon, and Streets of Rage to ambitious games such as Mortal Kombat and Asterix & Obelix, which pushed the console's limits to rival 16-bit titles, the Master System left a lasting legacy.

While playing Sega Master System games on modern systems can be challenging, the Steam Deck, paired with EmuDeck, offers a robust solution. Here's how to set up emulators for Sega Master System games on your Steam Deck.

Updated January 15, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: The Steam Deck's power makes playing Sega Master System games a breeze, but ensuring optimal performance can be tricky. Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin are recommended by EmuDeck developers to enhance your retro gaming experience. This guide has been updated to include detailed installation steps and how to fix issues post-Steam Deck updates.

Before Installing EmuDeck

Before diving into EmuDeck installation for Sega Master System games on your Steam Deck, ensure you're fully prepared:

• Keep your Steam Deck plugged in or fully charged.
• Use a high-speed micro SD card, formatted on the Steam Deck, for storage.
• Alternatively, an external HDD can be used, though it will reduce the device's portability.
• A keyboard and mouse can simplify file transfers and installations. If unavailable, use the on-screen keyboard by pressing the Steam and X buttons together and navigate with the trackpads.

Activate Developer Mode

To ensure smooth gameplay, you must enable Developer Mode on your Steam Deck before installing emulators:

• Press the Steam button to access the left panel.
• Navigate to System > System Settings and toggle on Enable Developer Mode.

- Find the Developer menu at the bottom of the panel.

• In the Developer menu, under Miscellaneous, enable CEF Remote Debugging.
• Restart your Steam Deck by pressing the Steam Button, selecting Power, and choosing Restart.

Note: CEF Remote Debugging can be disabled after updates, which may affect plugins and emulators. Always verify its status post-update.

Installing EmuDeck In Desktop Mode

- Switch to Desktop Mode by pressing the Steam button, selecting Power, and choosing Desktop Mode.

• Use a browser like Chrome or Firefox to download EmuDeck, selecting the appropriate SteamOS version.
• Double-click the downloaded installer, agree to the recommended settings, and choose Custom Install.
• After installation, label your SD card as 'Primary' in the EmuDeck menu for easy access in the Dolphin file manager.
• Install Retroarch for the Sega Master System and ensure the Steam Rom Manager is selected to integrate games into your Steam library.
• Optionally, enable the 'Configure CRT Shader for Classic 3D Games' for an authentic visual experience.
• Complete the setup by clicking Finish.

Transferring Master System ROMs

With EmuDeck and Retroarch in place, it's time to add your Sega Master System ROMs:

• Launch the Dolphin File Manager.
• Navigate to Removable Devices on the left panel, open your 'Primary' SD card.
• Find the Emulation > ROMS folder, then locate the 'mastersystem' folder.
• Copy or transfer your Sega Master System ROM files (typically with the '.sms' extension, like 'Pro Wrestling.sms') into this folder, ignoring the 'media' file.

Adding Master System Games To The Steam Library

To enjoy Sega Master System games in Gaming Mode, add them to your Steam Library:

• In Desktop Mode, open EmuDeck and navigate to the Steam Rom Manager.
• Click Next on the welcome page, toggle off all Parsers except for Sega Master System.
• Select Add Games, then Parse, and ensure games and cover arts are displayed.
• Click Save to Steam to integrate the games into your library.

Fix Or Upload Missing Artwork

With the Sega Master System being a retro console, you might encounter missing or incorrect artwork. Here's how to fix or replace it:

• Click Fix on the cover frame. The Steam ROM Manager should automatically suggest cover art; if not, manually search for the game's title.
• Browse through the available covers, select the best one, and choose Save and close.

Upload Missing Artwork

If the Steam Rom Manager cannot find the correct artwork:

• Use a browser to find and download the correct artwork, saving it to the Steam Deck's Pictures folder.
• In the cover frame, click Upload, select the new artwork from the Pictures folder, then save and close.
• If the image doesn't appear, use the left and right arrows to locate it, then click Save to Steam.
• Once the batch process is complete, switch back to Gaming Mode.

Playing Master System Games On The Steam Deck

After uploading covers and game artwork to your Steam library, access your emulated games easily:

• In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button to open the side menu, then select Library.
• Use the R1 button to navigate to the Collections tab, then click on the Sega Master System collection.
• Select and play your desired Sega game.

Improve Performance

To enhance the performance of your Sega Master System games:

• Launch your game and press the QAM button under the right trackpad.
• Open the Performance menu, toggle 'Use game profile' on, set the Frame Limit to 60 FPS, and enable Half Rate Shading.

Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck

EmuDeck developers suggest using Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin for better control and performance over emulated games:

• In Gaming Mode, switch to Desktop Mode via the Steam button and Power menu.
• Open a browser in Desktop Mode and visit the GitHub Decky Loader page to download it.
• After downloading, double-click the launcher and select Recommended Install.
• Restart your Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

Install Power Tools

With Decky installed, add the Power Tools plugin:

• In Gaming Mode, press the QAM button, then select the plugin icon at the bottom.
• Navigate to the store icon in the Decky Loader menu and install Power Tools from the Decky Store.

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

To optimize your Sega Master System games:

• Launch a game from your Collections menu in Gaming Mode.
• Press the QAM button, open Decky Loader, and select Power Tools.
• Disable SMTs and set the number of Threads to 4.
• In the Performance menu (accessed via the QAM button and the battery icon), enable Advanced View.
• Turn on Manual GPU Clock Control and set the GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
• Save these settings as a Per Game Profile.

Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

Steam Deck updates can alter menus and settings, potentially removing third-party apps like Decky Loader. Here's how to restore it:

• In Gaming Mode, switch to Desktop Mode.
• Open a browser and revisit the Decky Loader GitHub page to download it.
• Select Execute during installation and enter your pseudo password (create one if you haven't already).
• After installation, restart your Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.
• Press the QAM button to confirm that Decky Loader and its plugins are back in place.

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