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The Sega Genesis/Megadrive was the rival to the Super Nintendo. Like the SNES, it offered a vast library of games to cater to various tastes. The Genesis featured arcade classics likeStreets of RageandGolden Axe,JRPGs likePhantasy StarandShining Force, and mascot platformers like theSonic the Hedgehogseries.
Thankfully, with some tinkering, theSteam Deckallows fans to play their Genesis/Megadrive via an emulator called the EmuDeck. This guide will show Steam Deck usershow to install the emulator and run their Megadrive games.
Updated June 19, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn:The Steam Deck is an excellent device for modern gaming and the ideal platform for enjoying retro games from the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive collection.
However, some older games require specific settings to play them without issue. This guide is updated to include the recommended steps to install Decky Loader, the Power Tools plugin, and the method to recover it in the event of a Steam Deck update.
Before Installing EmuDeck On Steam Deck
Before installing the EmuDeck emulator, users are required to get some items to make the process more reliable and error-free.
Enable Developer Mode
The Steam Deck’s updates can disrupt the functionality of emulators like RetroArch. To prevent this from happening, use the following steps to activate Developer Mode on the Steam Deck:
The Steam Deck will receive important updates that may disable Developer Mode or CEF D Debugging. Check your Steam Deck settings after each update and keep the above settings to run emulators and related plugins. Running Steam Deck in beta mode has its advantages, such as access to the settings in testing, but the updates are more frequent.
To runMegadrive/Genesis games for the Steam Deck, users must now install EmuDeck. This can be done by following these steps:
Run The EmuDeck Installer
Transferring ROMS To The EmuDeck
It is time to transfer the Megadrive/Genesis files into the correct folder. The file names should have the game’s title and the extension (".md" stands for Megadrive).
Steam ROM Manager
Fix Missing Artwork On The EmuDeck
Some games may have missing or incorrect cover art. This can happen if there is something in the file name that the Steam Rom Manager won’t recognize. There are also occasions where some obscure, modded, or imported games won’t display properly. In the event of missing artwork, use the following steps:
Some Japanese, untranslated, or modded games may cause issues for the EmuDeck. Thankfully, you can add your own covers and artwork via the following steps:
How To Run Megadrive/Genesis Games On The Steam Deck
With the files copied into the relevant folder and loaded into EmuDeck, run the games on Steam Deck using the following steps:
Use RetroArch To Run Mega Drive/Genesis Games
There may be occasions when some Mega Drive/Genesis games can run into issues running from the Steam library. As a result, it’s a good idea to use the RetroArch emulator instead. RetroArch is similar to EmuDeck. It’s capable of running many retro games under one program. Run RetroArch on the Steam Deck using the following steps:
Fix Slowdown On Emulated Games On Steam Deck
Some emulated games on the Steam Deck can run into slowdown and audio problems. Thankfully, there’s a quick fix to cure the stuttering and achieve a smooth gameplay experience:
Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck
If the steps to resolve slowdown and stuttering don’t work, the EmuDeck developers recommend installing Decky Loader and the Power Tools plugin. Power Tools allows you to change the SMTs on your Steam Deck to better replicate retro consoles like the Genesis. Follow the steps to install Decky Loader, Power Tools, and the settings to apply to your Sega Games.
Install The Power Tools Plugin
With Decky Loader installed on the Steam Deck, it’s time to install the Power Tools plugin and adjust the settings to get better performance out of your classic Sega games.
Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games
Restoring Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update
The Steam Deck frequently receives important updates that may modify the user interface and introduce new features. These updates could impact the compatibility with the Decky Loader program, potentially causing it to disappear from the Quick Access Menu. To restore your app, personalized settings, and plugins, please follow these steps:
