Steam Deck Guide: Playing Sega Master System Games

The Sega Master System holds a revered place in gaming history as an 8-bit rival to the NES, delivering captivating titles that were either distinct to the console or presented in unique adaptations. Key highlights in its library include fantastic iterations of classics such as Golden Axe, Double Dragon, and Sega Streets of Rage, alongside memorable experiences like Mortal Kombat and Asterix & Obelix, which pushed the envelope toward 16-bit graphics.

Retro gaming enthusiasts can rejoice, as playing Sega Master System titles on modern devices is no longer a challenge, thanks to the Steam Deck and the powerful EmuDeck application. This guide will instruct you on how to install Sega Master System emulators on the Steam Deck.

Updated January 15, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: While the Steam Deck’s hardware handles Sega Master System games with ease, ensuring optimal performance can be tricky due to the intricacies of emulators. The installation of Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin is strongly recommended by EmuDeck developers to enhance your gaming experience. This updated guide provides clear steps for installing these tools and troubleshooting potential issues after Steam Deck updates.

Before Installing EmuDeck

Preparing for the installation of EmuDeck requires a few essential tools and configurations to ensure a smooth setup:

Connect the Steam Deck to a power source or ensure it’s fully charged.
A high-speed micro SD card is necessary, which should be formatted on the Steam Deck prior to use.
An external HDD can serve as an alternative to an SD card, keeping in mind it might hinder portability.
Utilizing a keyboard and mouse simulates a home computer setup, aiding file transfers and installation processes.
If you lack a keyboard and mouse, activate the on-screen keyboard by pressing the Steam and X buttons together and use the trackpads as a substitute.

Activate Developer Mode

For seamless gameplay and proper emulator functionality, activating Developer Mode is paramount:

Press the Steam button to bring up the left access panel.
Navigate to the System menu and access System Settings.
Switch on the option marked Enable Developer Mode.

Find the Developer menu at the bottom of the access panel.
Open it and enable CEF Remote Debugging under Miscellaneous.
Press the Steam Button, highlight Power, and restart the Steam Deck.

Note: CEF Remote Debugging may disable following updates. Regularly check the Developer Menu post-update to ensure the feature is still enabled.

Installing EmuDeck In Desktop Mode

To enter Desktop Mode, press the Steam button below the left trackpad, select Power, and switch to Desktop Mode.
Using a web browser, download EmuDeck from the official site.
Choose the appropriate SteamOS version and start the download. Once completed, double-click the installer and proceed with the recommended install.
Select Custom Install.
After installation completes, locate the SD card labeled Primary in the menu, which helps identify it under Removable Devices in the Dolphin file manager.
You can either install all available emulators or specifically select Retroarch focused solely on the Sega Master System.

RetroArch serves as a front-end for various emulators, all accessible from the ‘Emulators’ tab in the Steam library.

Confirm that the Steam Rom Manager is selected alongside Retroarch so that games appear in the main Steam library.
Enable ‘Configure CRT Shader for Classic 3D Games’ to give your games an authentic retro appearance.
Select Finish to complete the installation.

Transferring Master System ROMs

Now that Retroarch and EmuDeck are set up, it is time to transfer your Sega Master System ROMs:

Launch the Dolphin File Manager.

Steam Deck Desktop Mode Dolphin File Manager

On the left panel, scroll to Removable Devices and access the SD card labeled Primary.
Open the Emulation folder and then navigate to ROMS.
Locate the ‘mastersystem’ folder within.
Copy your Sega Master System files (with the ‘.sms’ extension, e.g., ‘Pro Wrestling.sms’) into this directory, ignoring the file named ‘media.’

Adding Master System Games To The Steam Library

While Retroarch lets you run Sega Master System games in Desktop Mode, adding them to your Steam Library grants access while in Gaming Mode:

Within Desktop Mode, open EmuDeck.
Access the Steam Rom Manager.
Proceed by clicking Next on the welcome screen.
Turn off the Togglers for Parsers.
Select Sega Master System from the Parsers screen.
Click Add Games and then select Parse.
Verify that games and cover art are displayed, then select Save to Steam.

Fix Or Upload Missing Artwork

Steam Deck - EmuDeck SRM Sega Master System games cover art

Being a retro console, the Sega Master System might present some challenges with missing or incorrect artwork. Follow these steps to correct any issues:

Select Fix on the cover frame.
Normally, the Steam ROM Manager fetches cover art automatically. If it fails, type the game’s title in the Search for game field.
Peruse the available cover art, select the most suitable option, then choose Save and close.

Upload Missing Artwork

If the artwork doesn’t appear, here’s how to manually upload it:

Use a web browser to find appropriate artwork and save it to the Steam Deck’s Pictures folder.
Click Upload on the cover frame.
Select the newly saved artwork in the Pictures folder, then save and close.
If the image is not visible, use the left and right arrows to navigate.
Finally, click Save to Steam.
Once all batch files finish processing, switch back to Gaming Mode on the Steam Deck.

Playing Master System Games On The Steam Deck

Steam Deck - Golden Axe running on Steam Deck

With the Steam ROM Manager successfully uploading cover art to your library, you can now access your emulated games just like official titles:

In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button below the left trackpad.
Select Library from the menu.
Press the R1 button to highlight the new Collections tab.
Click on the Sega Master System collection.
Select your desired game to begin playing.

Improve Performance

Some classic titles may experience stuttering or frame rate drops on the Steam Deck. To optimize performance, follow these steps:

Launch your Sega Master System game and press the QAM button beneath the right trackpad.
Navigate to the Performance menu.
Enable ‘Use game profile’.
Set the Frame Limit to 60 FPS.
Activate Half Rate Shading.

Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck

The EmuDeck developers endorse the installation of Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin for enhanced performance control over emulator games. Here’s how to set them up:

Connect a keyboard and mouse to simplify menu navigation and downloads (trackpads can also be utilized for cursor control along with the on-screen keyboard by pressing Steam and X).
In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button, go to Power, and switch to Desktop Mode.
Open a web browser, which you can download from the Discovery Store if not already installed.
Navigate to the GitHub Decky Loader page.
Locate the large Download icon and click it to initiate the download.
After downloading is complete, double-click the launcher and select the Recommended Install option.
Once installed, restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

Install Power Tools

Having successfully installed Decky, you can now add the Power Tools plugin with the following steps:

In Gaming Mode, press the Quick Access Menu (QAM) button under the right trackpad.
Select the new plugin icon at the bottom of the QAM screen.
Click on the store icon at the top of the Decky Loader interface.
Find the Power Tools plugin and proceed to install it.

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

Launch a Master System game via the Collections menu by pressing the Steam button and selecting your Library.
Press the QAM button, access Decky Loader, and enter the Power Tools menu.
Disable SMTs.
Set the number of Threads to 4.
Open the Performance menu by pressing the QAM button and selecting the small battery icon.
Enable Advanced View.
Turn on Manual GPU Clock Control.
Elevate the GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
Utilize the Per Game Profile option to save these settings for every game.

Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

Significant Steam Deck updates may disrupt settings or remove third-party applications from the Quick Access menu. To restore functionality, adhere to these steps:

If still in Gaming Mode, press the Steam button, navigate to Power, and switch to Desktop Mode.
Open a browser once the Steam Deck reboots in Desktop Mode.
Select Execute instead of previous installation options.
When prompted, input your pseudo password.
If a pseudo password has not been established, follow the onscreen prompts to create one. Be sure to select a memorable password for future reference.
After installation, shut down the Steam Deck and reboot it in Gaming Mode.
Press the QAM button to retrieve Decky Loader and restore previous settings and plugins.

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