PS1 Steam Deck – Emulation Guide, Tips, FAQs & More

It’s not as straightforward to emulate games on the Steam Deck as it is on Windows.

However, if you know the right tools and how to use them, it becomes super easy to run PS1 games on the Steam Deck. 

This guide will provide step-by-step details on how to set up an emulator on your Steam Deck to play PS1 games. 

What is Emulation? 

Emulation refers to the process of using software to mimic the hardware of a specific device, such as a video game console. 

You can use an emulator to trick the game into thinking it’s running on the original hardware. This allows the game to run on a different device, such as a computer or in this case, a Steam Deck.

Items Needed for Emulation on the Steam Deck 

To get started, you’ll need an external mouse and a keyboard.

While you can play games without external hardware, it’s much more streamlined with a physical mouse and keyboard. 

How to Set Up EmuDeck on Your Steam Deck? (Easy Tutorial) 

Once you have your mouse and keyboard set up, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Steam Deck’s power button and hold it until the Power menu appears. 

Select “Switch to Desktop” to enter Desktop Mode.

Step 2: Open a web browser and go to the EmuDeck website. 

If you don’t have a browser installed, you can use the Discover app in the taskbar to search for and download a browser of your choice.

Step 3: Download the EmuDeck installer.

Step 4: Once the download is finished, open the file manager in the taskbar (it looks like a blue folder) and navigate to Downloads in the left-hand menu.

Step 5: Drag and drop the EmuDeck installer from the Downloads to the desktop.

Step 6: Double-click on the EmuDeck installer to run it.

Step 7: An option prompt will appear asking if you’d like to use Easy Mode or Expert Mode. 

Unless you have specific requirements, we recommend using Easy Mode.

Step 8: Next, you’ll get a prompt to install it to internal storage or an SD card. We used internal storage, but you might want to use an SD card if you’d like to load ROMs faster. 

Step 9: During installation, you may see an error that says “Yuzu is not configured.” 

This is related to the Switch emulator, which requires a specific setup outside the scope of this guide. 

Tap “OK” to proceed.

Step 10: Once installation is complete, you should see a large prompt that details installation directories and the next steps. 

We recommend taking a photo of this prompt for easy future reference.

Step 11: Next, it’s time to transfer or download the ROM files to your Steam Deck.

Step 12: Once your ROM files are ready to go, open the file manager and navigate to Home → Emulation → Roms. 

Here, you’ll see a list of folders for different consoles. Select “PS1” and place your ROM files next to it.

Step 13: Now, you need to shut down Steam completely.

You’ll see its icon on the taskbar, so just tap it and select “Exit“. This is necessary because the next few steps won’t work if Steam is running in the background.

Step 14: Open the Steam ROM Manager (which should be installed on your desktop from the EmuDeck installation).

Select “Preview” and then “Generate App List“.

This will detect any installed ROMs and download image files for use in SteamOS, and also, place them in your library.

Step 15: Once done, select “Save app list“, close Steam ROM Manager, and launch “Return to Gaming Mode”. And that’s it! Your available ROMs should now be listed as games in the Non-Steam section of your library.

Wondering how to get started with your new Steam Deck? Check out our beginner’s guide for helpful tips and advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Can I legally use ROMs on my Steam Deck?

It depends on the specific ROMs and where they come from. 

Generally speaking, it is illegal to download or distribute ROMs that are copyrighted without permission. 

However, some ROMs may fall under fair use or be considered abandonware. It’s important to do your research and only use ROMs that you have legally obtained.

Will using emulation on my Steam Deck void my warranty?

The Steam Deck is designed to run PC games and does not officially support emulation. 

However, Valve has stated that using emulation software on your Steam Deck will not void your warranty as long as it does not cause damage to the device.

Can I use my Steam Controller to play emulated games on my Steam Deck?

Yes, you can use your Steam Controller or any other compatible controller to play emulated games on your Steam Deck. 

You may need to customize the controller settings to work with specific games, but many emulators come with built-in support for gamepads.

Are there any performance issues when using emulation on the Steam Deck?

Emulation can be resource-intensive and may cause performance issues on lower-end hardware.

However, Steam Deck’s powerful hardware should be capable of running most emulators and games without issue. 

Keep in mind that some games may require specific settings or optimizations to run smoothly.

Can I play multiplayer games using emulation on my Steam Deck?

Yes, you can play multiplayer games using emulation on your Steam Deck.

However, you may need to set up additional software or configure your network settings to allow for multiplayer connectivity.

Can I use save states with emulated games on my Steam Deck?

Yes, most emulators support save states, which allow you to save and load your progress at any point in the game. 

This can be especially useful for longer games or difficult sections that require multiple attempts. 

Keep in mind that save states may not be compatible across different emulator versions or platforms.

Can I use cheats with emulated games on my Steam Deck?

Yes, many emulators allow you to use cheats or hacks with emulated games. 

However, it’s important to note that using cheats can often break the game or ruin the experience. 

Use cheats at your own risk and only if you are comfortable with the consequences.

Do I need to own a physical copy of a game to use emulation on my Steam Deck?

No, you do not need to own a physical copy of a game to use emulation on your Steam Deck. 

However, it is important to use legally obtained ROMs and only plays games that you have the right to play.

Looking for the latest news and updates on the Steam Deck? Check out our collection of articles on this portable gaming console.

Conclusion

The Steam Deck is an incredibly versatile device that can not only run emulated PS1 games but also, games from other video game consoles. 

While it does require a fair bit of setup, we definitely feel that it’s worth it to get back to the charm of PS1 video games. 

If you have any further questions, please let us know in the comments section below. 

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