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The Sega Master System, an iconic 8-bit console that rivaled the NES, brought to fans a plethora of exceptional games, some exclusive to the platform and others with unique versions. Standout titles on this platform included stellar ports of Golden Axe, Double Dragon, and Streets of Rage, as well as ambitious titles like Mortal Kombat and Asterix & Obelix, which pushed the system's limits to near 16-bit quality.
For retro gaming enthusiasts, playing Sega Master System games on modern hardware can be challenging, but the Steam Deck, combined with the powerful EmuDeck software, makes it possible. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to set up emulators for Sega Master System games on your Steam Deck.
Updated January 15, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: While the Steam Deck's power is more than capable of handling Sega Master System games, replicating the precise performance of an 8-bit console can present issues. This is where Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin come into play. The EmuDeck developers recommend installing these tools to optimize your retro gaming experience. This guide has been updated to include installation steps and a fix for restoring functionality after Steam Deck updates.
Before Installing EmuDeck
Before you dive into installing EmuDeck on your Steam Deck for Sega Master System games, ensure you have the right tools and settings in place for a smooth installation process:
- Make sure your Steam Deck is either plugged into a power source or fully charged.
- You'll need a high-speed micro SD card, which you should insert into the bottom of your Steam Deck and format directly on the device.
- Alternatively, you can use an external HDD, though this will compromise the portability of your Steam Deck.
- A keyboard and mouse can streamline file transfers and installation processes, much like using a home computer.
- If you don't have a keyboard and mouse, you can access the built-in keyboard by pressing the Steam and X buttons simultaneously and use the trackpads as a substitute for a mouse.
Activate Developer Mode
To ensure your emulators run smoothly and your games play properly, you need to activate Developer Mode on your Steam Deck:
- Press the Steam button to access the left side menu.
- Navigate to the System menu and select System Settings.
- Enable Developer Mode by toggling it on.
- The Developer menu is located at the bottom of the side panel.
- Open the Developer menu.
- Under the Miscellaneous section, enable CEF Remote Debugging.
- Press the Steam Button.
- Select Power and restart your Steam Deck.
Note: CEF Remote Debugging can get disabled after system updates, which might affect plugins and emulators. Always check the Developer Menu post-update to ensure it's enabled.
Installing EmuDeck In Desktop Mode
- To switch to Desktop Mode, press the Steam button below the left trackpad, select Power, and choose Desktop Mode.
- Use a browser like Chrome or Firefox to download EmuDeck.
- Choose the appropriate SteamOS version and start the download. Once downloaded, double-click the installer and opt for the recommended installation to begin.
- Select Custom Install.
- After EmuDeck is installed, open the menu and select the SD card labeled Primary. This action renames your SD card for easier access under Removable Devices in the Dolphin file manager.
- You can choose to install all emulators or focus solely on the Sega Master System by selecting Retroarch.
RetroArch is a versatile application capable of running various emulators for classic gaming systems. You can find these under the 'Emulators' tab in your Steam library.
- Ensure the Steam Rom Manager is selected alongside Retroarch to display the games within your main Steam library.
- Browse through the options and activate the 'Configure CRT Shader for Classic 3D Games' if you're aiming for that nostalgic TV look.
- Click Finish to complete the installation.
Transferring Master System Roms
With Retroarch and EmuDeck now installed, it's time to transfer your Sega Master System ROMs to their designated folders:
- Open the Dolphin File Manager.
- In the left panel, scroll down to Removable Devices and open the SD card labeled Primary.
- Navigate to the Emulation folder and click on ROMS.
- Scroll down to find the 'mastersystem' folder.
- Transfer or copy your Sega Master System files here. Typically, these ROM files end with '.sms,' such as 'Pro Wrestling.sms.' Ignore the file named 'media.'
Adding Master System Games To The Steam Library
While you can launch Sega Master System games from Retroarch in Desktop Mode, adding them to your Steam Library allows you to play in Gaming Mode:
- Open EmuDeck in Desktop Mode.
- Click or tap on the Steam Rom Manager.
- On the Welcome to SRM! page, click Next.
- Toggle off Parsers.
- Highlight Sega Master System on the Parsers screen.
- Click Add Games, then select Parse.
- Confirm that the games and cover arts are displayed correctly and click Save to Steam.
Fix Or Upload Missing Artwork
Due to the retro nature of the Sega Master System, you might encounter missing or incorrect artwork. Here’s how to fix or replace the cover art:
- Click Fix on the cover frame.
- The Steam ROM Manager usually auto-displays cover art. If it's missing, enter the game's title in the Search for game field.
- Browse the list of game covers, select the best one, and choose Save and close.
Upload Missing Artwork
If the Steam Rom Manager can't find the right artwork, follow these steps to upload it manually:
- Use a browser to find the correct artwork and save it to the Steam Deck's Pictures folder.
- Click Upload on the cover frame.
- Select the new artwork from the Pictures folder, then save and close.
- If the image isn't displaying, use the left and right arrows to find it.
- Click on Save to Steam.
- Once the batch files have finished processing, switch back to the Steam Deck's Gaming Mode.
Playing Master System Games On The Steam Deck
After the Steam Rom Manager has uploaded the covers and game artwork to your Steam library, you can access the emulated games just like the official ones:
- In Gaming Mode, press the Steam button under the left trackpad.
- Select Library from the side menu.
- Press the R1 button to highlight the new Collections tabs.
- Click on the Sega Master System window.
- Select your Sega game and start playing.
Improve Performance
To enhance the performance of classic games that might stutter or experience frame rate issues on the Steam Deck, follow these steps:
- Launch your Sega Master System game and press the QAM button under the right trackpad.
- Open the Performance menu.
- Enable 'Use game profile'.
- Set the Frame Limit to 60 FPS.
- Turn on Half Rate Shading.
Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck
EmuDeck developers recommend installing Decky Loader along with the Power Tools plugin to gain more control over your Steam Deck's performance when playing emulated games. Here’s how to do it:
- For easier navigation, connect a keyboard and mouse. Alternatively, use the trackpads and the on-screen keyboard (accessed by pressing Steam and X).
- If you're in Gaming Mode, press the Steam button, select Power, and switch to Desktop Mode.
- Open a web browser. You can download one from the Discovery Store if needed.
- Navigate to the GitHub Decky Loader page.
- Click the large Download icon to start the download.
- Once downloaded, double-click the launcher and select the Recommended Install option.
- After installation, restart your Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.
Install Power Tools
With Decky Loader installed, you can now add the Power Tools plugin:
- In Gaming Mode, press the Quick Access Menu (QAM) button under the right trackpad.
- In the QAM, click the new plugin icon at the bottom.
- Select the store icon at the top of the Decky Loader menu.
- Find the Power Tools plugin in the Decky Store and install it.
Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games
- From the Steam button, open your Library and launch a Master System game from the Collections menu.
- Press the QAM button, navigate to Decky Loader, and select the Power Tools menu.
- Disable SMTs.
- Set the number of Threads to 4.
- Press the QAM button again and open the Performance menu by selecting the small battery icon.
- Enable Advance View.
- Turn on Manual GPU Clock Control.
- Increase the GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
- Select the Per Game Profile option to save these settings for each game.
Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update
Major Steam Deck updates can alter the menu and settings, potentially removing third-party apps from your Quick Access menu. Here’s how to restore Decky Loader and your plugins:
- If you're still in Gaming Mode, press the Steam button, go to the Power menu, and switch to Desktop Mode.
- Open a browser once your Steam Deck restarts in Desktop Mode.
- Navigate to the Decky Loader GitHub page and click the Download icon.
- This time, select Execute instead of Recommended Install.
- Enter your pseudo password when prompted.
- If you haven't set up a pseudo password yet, follow the on-screen instructions to create one. Choose a memorable password and keep a record for future use.
- After installation, power off your Steam Deck and then restart it in Gaming Mode.
- Press the QAM button, and you should find Decky Loader along with your settings and plugins restored.
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