This guide details how to install and use EmuDeck to play Sega Game Gear games on your Steam Deck, maximizing performance with Decky Loader and Power Tools.

Before You Begin: Essential Preparations

Before installing EmuDeck, ensure you've taken these steps:

• Enable Developer Mode: Navigate to Steam > System > System Settings > Enable Developer Mode. Then, in the Developer menu, enable CEF Remote Debugging. Restart your Steam Deck.
• Essential Equipment: An A2 microSD card (or external HDD connected via dock) is crucial for storing ROMs and emulators, freeing up your internal SSD. A keyboard and mouse greatly simplify file transfers and artwork management. Remember to legally acquire your Game Gear ROMs.

Installing EmuDeck

Follow these steps to install EmuDeck:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode.
2. Download EmuDeck from its official website.
3. Select the SteamOS version and choose "Custom Install."
4. Select your microSD card as the installation location ("Primary").
5. Choose your desired emulators (RetroArch, Emulation Station, Steam ROM Manager are recommended).
6. Enable "Auto Save."
7. Complete the installation.
8. In EmuDeck's Quick Settings, enable AutoSave, Controller Layout Match, set Sega Classic AR to 4:3, and turn on LCD Handhelds.

Transferring ROMs and Using Steam ROM Manager

Get your games ready:

1. Transfer your Game Gear ROMs to /Emulation/roms/gamegear on your microSD card.
2. Open EmuDeck and launch Steam ROM Manager.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts, selecting the Game Gear parser and adding your games.
4. Ensure artwork is correctly assigned; use the "Fix" function if necessary, searching by game title (remove any numbers preceding the title if the artwork is incorrect). Manually upload missing artwork via the "Upload" function, saving images to the Steam Deck's Pictures folder.

Addressing Missing Artwork

If Steam ROM Manager fails to find artwork, manually search online for the correct cover art, save it to the Pictures folder, and then use Steam ROM Manager's "Upload" feature to add it to the game entry.

Playing Your Games

Now, access your Game Gear games through Steam's Library > Collections > Game Gear. For optimal performance: