Here is my comprehensive guide and reference for both new steam deck owners and those who just want to get more out of their device. I also wanted to demonstrate just how incredibly capable and flexible this little device is. Here you will find many details mentioned in the video for easy reference
Disclaimer: Anything you do from this video or blog post is at your own risk. I am not responsible for anything that happens to your steam deck.
Detailed Index:
Overview 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:45 Unboxing, Overview 00:03:14 Switch size comparison 00:04:04 Switch weight comparison 00:04:41 Switch speaker comparison Proton GE, Flatpak 00:07:34 Proton GE Explanation 00:09:35 Installing Proton GE 00:10:21 Other useful apps 00:11:20 Flatpak source 00:11:37 Choose proton version 00:12:05 File transfer Steam Games 00:14:01 Steam games 00:15:46 Ace Combat 7 00:18:12 Control 00:20:53 Cyberpunk 2077 00:23:32 Dead Space 00:24:34 Doom Eternal 00:25:53 Elden Ring 00:26:40 Skyrim Special Edition 00:27:37 Mirror's Edge Catalyst 00:28:21 Dark Souls 3 00:29:53 Dragon Age II 00:31:39 Fallout 4 00:32:35 Fallout: New Vegas 00:33:07 Mass Effect 3 00:35:27 No Man's Sky 00:36:05 PC Building Simulator 00:37:07 Persona 4 Golden 00:38:35 Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered 00:39:57 Resident Evil Village 00:41:27 Saints Row the Third Remastered 00:43:15 Sword and Fairy 7 00:44:47 Tales of Arise 00:45:45 Terminator: Resistance 00:47:17 Tomb Raider 00:50:05 Gujian 3 00:53:04 Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night 00:54:08 Geometry Wars 00:55:41 Gris 00:56:42 Half-Life 2 00:58:26 Hollow Knight 00:59:31 Horizon Zero Dawn 01:06:01 Panzer Dragoon: Remake (FMV now works with proton experimental!) 01:08:19 Remember Me 01:10:49 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 01:15:33 Street Fighter II 01:16:47 Street Fighter V 01:17:47 Final Fantasy XV 01:21:58 Final Fantasy XIV 01:23:37 The Ascent 01:25:01 Ni no Kuni Wrath of the White Witch Remastered 01:26:11 Monster Hunter Rise 01:28:14 Monster Hunter: World 01:29:53 Middle-earth: Shadow of War 3rd party launchers install 01:31:45 3rd party launchers, folder structure 01:32:29 Flatseal 01:34:04 Mouse click issue on desktop 01:34:39 Install 3rd party launchers overview 01:35:57 Installing 3rd party launchers 01:41:13 Epic launcher settings 01:42:15 Origin Launcher 01:42:56 Ubisoft Launcher 01:43:39 Battle.net Launcher 01:44:14 GOG Launcher 01:44:56 Streamgriddb (pretty icons) 3rd party launcher games 01:47:01 Sonic Mania (epic) 01:48:28 GTA V (epic) 01:51:30 Sifu (epic) 01:53:25 Sifu (heroic) 01:55:18 Overwatch (battle.net) 01:57:24 Absolute Drift (gog) 01:58:43 Need for Speed Heat (origin) 02:01:16 Watch Dogs 2 (ubisoft) Streaming Setup 02:06:23 Streaming
Streaming Games 02:08:16 Destiny 2 (geforce now) 02:11:15 Destiny 2 (stadia) 02:12:59 Halo Infinite (xbox cloud) 02:16:05 Game pass for cheap 02:16:36 Destiny 2 (local steam streaming) 02:18:46 Moonlight 02:19:27 Sifu (moonlight) 02:20:58 Chiaki (ps4/ps5 streaming) 02:21:35 Horizon Forbidden West (ps5 via chiaki) Emulation Setup 02:24:31 Emulation Setup 02:26:55 Emulation Station Settings 02:28:02 Dolphin Settings 02:28:25 RPCS3 tips 02:28:57 Citra tips 02:29:54 Steam Input Emulation Games 02:34:35 Final Fight (arcade) 02:36:12 Galaxy Force II (Arcade) 02:37:11 After Burner II (Arcade) 02:38:12 Total Eclipse (3DO) 02:38:54 Demon Attack (Atari 2600) 02:39:28 Rescue on Fractalus! (Atari 5200) 02:40:26 Ballblazer (Atari 7800) 02:41:22 Aliens Vs Predator (Atari Jaguar) 02:41:48 Blue Lightning (Atari Lynx) 02:42:27 Cosmic Avenger (Colecovision) 02:43:31 Atlantis (Magnavox Odyssey 2) 02:43:55 The Dreadnaught Factor (Intellivision) 02:44:38 Bonk's Adventure (TurboGrafx-16) 02:45:16 Forgotten Worlds (Turbografx-cd) 02:45:50 Final Lap 2000 (WonderSwan) 02:46:29 Mr. Driller (WonderSwan Color) 02:46:56 Armor Attack (Vectrex) 02:47:28 Parachute (Game & Watch) 02:47:53 Tetris (Game Boy) 02:48:25 Mario's Tennis (Virtual Boy) 02:49:05 1942 (GBC) 02:49:51 Sonic Advance (GBA) 02:50:39 Sonic Rush Adventure (NDS) 02:51:24 Super Mario 3D Land (3DS) 02:52:11 Open World Pocket Creature (Switch) 02:52:32 Sega Ages - Phantasy Star (Switch) 02:53:11 Sega Ages - Virtua Racing (Switch) 02:54:05 Sega Ages - Outrun (Switch) 02:55:10 Punch-Out!! (NES) 02:55:56 Choujikuu Yousai Macross (NES) 02:56:46 Choujikuu Yousai Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie (SNES) 02:57:56 Super Mario 64 (N64) 02:58:25 GoldenEye 007 (N64) 02:59:14 Metroid Prime (GameCube) 03:00:43 Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) 03:02:08 Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) 03:02:54 Punch-Out!! (Wii) 03:04:26 Gasp of the Overgrowth (Wii U) 03:05:16 Black Belt (SMS) 03:06:01 After Burner (SMS) 03:06:36 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (game gear) 03:07:13 After Burner II (genesis) 03:08:25 Raiden (genesis) 03:09:24 Sonic the Hedgehog (genesis) 03:10:27 Thunder Force III (genesis) 03:11:19 Virtua Fighter (32X) 03:11:47 After Burner II (32X) 03:12:47 Shadow Squadron (32X) 03:14:27 Night Trap (Sega CD) 03:15:09 Sonic the Hedgehog CD (Sega CD) 03:16:19 Panzer Dragoon (Saturn) 03:17:58 Sega Rally Championship (Saturn) 03:19:13 Daytona (Dreamcast) 03:20:29 Dead or Alive 2 (Dreamcast) 03:21:41 King of Fighters R-1 (Neo Geo Pocket) 03:22:30 Fatal Fury F-Contact (Neo Geo Pocket Color) 03:22:54 Metal Slug (Neo Geo CD) 03:24:05 Jet Set Radio Future (xbox) 03:24:47 Battle Arena Toshinden (PS1) 03:25:46 Ridge Racer (PS1) 03:27:15 God of War (PS2) 03:29:30 Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 10: After Burner II (PS2) 03:31:13 God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP) 03:32:51 Persona 5 (PS3) Windows 11 Install 03:36:26 Windows 11 Install Tips 03:37:07 Windows 11 Initial Setup Tips 03:42:58 Native controls with non steam games 03:46:39 Export game pass games to steam (UWPHook) Windows 11 Games 03:48:58 Destiny 2 (win 11) 03:52:28 Forza Horizon 5 (game pass) 03:56:39 Tunic (game pass) 03:57:31 Genshin Impact Docked and Desktop Mode 03:58:43 Xbox Controller 03:58:58 Docked Game Mode 04:00:10 Docked Game Mode Change Resolution 04:01:36 Hotshot Racing (docked game mode) 04:02:38 Doom Eternal (desktop, keyboard & mouse) 04:03:07 Desktop Display Configuration Other Benchmarks 04:03:37 60 fps vs 40 fps (The Ascent) 04:04:05 40 fps 04:04:55 Sleep Battery Drain 04:05:25 Boot Times 04:06:03 Fast Suspend / Resume Micro SD Cards and Accessories 04:06:38 Micro SD Cards 04:08:17 SD Card Slot 04:09:18 SD Card Write Speeds 04:10:14 SD Card Read Speeds 04:10:51 SD Card Holders 04:12:32 Included Accessories 04:13:10 Other Accessories 04:24:46 iFixit Parts Final thoughts and conclusion 04:25:19 Final Thoughts, Conclusion, Menus
Video Notes:
- Steam Deck Shortcuts
- https://www.makeuseof.com/steam-deck-shortcuts/
- Steam + B (long press) Force the game to shutdown
- Steam + X Show the on-screen keyboard
- Steam + L1 Toggle magnifier tool on/off
- Steam + R1 Capture screenshot
- Steam + L2 (soft pull) Right mouse click
- Steam + R2 (soft pull) Left mouse click
- Steam + Right joystick Joystick mouse
- Steam + Right trackpad As mouse
- Steam + Right trackpad (click) Left mouse click
- Steam + Left joystick up Increase screen brightness
- Steam + Left joystick down Decrease screen brightness
- Steam + D-pad right Enter key
- Steam + D-pad down Tab key
- Steam + D-pad left Escape key
- Proton GE: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-proton-ge-on-the-steam-deck
- Flatpaks
- ProtonUp-Qt
- Notepad Next
- VLC
- Discord
- OBS
- Flatseal
- Edge
- Chrome
- Heroic Games Launcher
- ProtonDB: https://www.protondb.com/
- Final Fantasy XIV
- 3rd party launchers
- Suggested SD Card folder structure
- /run/media/mmcblk0p1/Games (E:\Games)
- Battlenet
- EA
- Epic
- EpicCache
- Gog
- Heroic
- Origin
- OriginCache
- Ubisoft
- UbisoftCache
- Desktop mode mouse click issue:
- Epic Launcher:
- https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-epic-games-launcher-on-steam-deck
- Target: (your number after compatdata will be different)
- "/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/4027607285/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Epic Games/Launcher/Portal/Binaries/Win64/EpicGamesLauncher.exe"
- Start in:
- "/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/4027607285/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Epic Games/Launcher/Portal/Binaries/Win64/"
- Launch options for sd card support (use this for all 3rd party launchers)
- STEAM_COMPAT_MOUNTS=/run/media/mmcblk0p1/ %command%
- Heroic Launcher:
- Ubisoft:
- https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2022/03/ubisoft-connect-on-steam-deck-guide-with-sd-card-access/
- Target: (your number after compatdata will be different)
- /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/3471027971/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Ubisoft/Ubisoft Game Launcher/UbisoftConnect.exe
- EA Origin
- Download installer on windows
- Target: (your number after compatdata will be different)
- /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/3598860176/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Origin/Origin.exe
- Battle.net
- Target: (your number after compatdata will be different)
- /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/3297083381/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Battle.net/Battle.net.exe
- Gog Galaxy
- Download installer on windows
- Target: (your number after compatdata will be different)
- /home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/3304032574/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/GOG Galaxy/GalaxyClient.exe
- Streaming
- Cheap Game Pass
- Edge (Xbox Game Pass)
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/xbox-cloud-gaming-in-microsoft-edge-with-steam-deck-43dd011b-0ce8-4810-8302-965be6d53296
- Konsole:
- flatpak --user override --filesystem=/run/udev:ro com.microsoft.Edge
- target (bold is what you need to add):
- run --branch=stable --arch=x86_64 --command=/app/bin/edge --file-forwarding com.microsoft.Edge @@u @@ --window-size=1024,640 --force-device-scale-factor=1.25 --device-scale-factor=1.25 --kiosk "https://www.xbox.com/play"
- To quit a game use mouse shortcut to click on the tiny tab in the top left corner. That pops out an xbox button icon. Click that and then you can use your controls to quit the game.
- Chrome (Geforce now, Stadia)
- https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2022/03/chrome-on-steam-deck-now-supports-the-deck-controller-with-geforce-now-working/
- Konsole:
- flatpak --user override --filesystem=/run/udev:ro com.google.Chrome
- Target: Geforce now (bold is what you need to add) (currently bugged, search for game)
- run --branch=stable --arch=x86_64 --command=/app/bin/chrome --file-forwarding com.google.Chrome @@u @@ --window-size=1024,640 --force-device-scale-factor=1.25 --device-scale-factor=1.25 --kiosk https://play.geforcenow.com/
- Target: Stadia (bold is what you need to add)
- run --branch=stable --arch=x86_64 --command=/app/bin/chrome --file-forwarding com.google.Chrome @@u @@ --window-size=1024,640 --force-device-scale-factor=1.25 --device-scale-factor=1.25 --kiosk https://stadia.google.com
- Target: Amazon Luna (bold is what you need to add)
- run --branch=stable --arch=x86_64 --command=/app/bin/chrome --file-forwarding com.google.Chrome @@u @@ --window-size=1024,640 --force-device-scale-factor=1.25 --device-scale-factor=1.25 --kiosk https://luna.amazon.com
- Genshin Impact
- Go to desktop mode
- Run Chrome
- Install this user agent switcher chrome extension:
- Choose the first one (chrome xxx.x.x.x, windows 10)
- Apply (all windows)
- Genshin Impact should now show up in geforce now. Once in game go to settings and switch from keyboard to controller and everything should work fine.
- Chiaki (PS4/PS5)
- Parsec in game mode. I got it to work but it was a laggy mess. Moonlight and steam remote play both worked a LOT better.
- Emulation
- Reddit is a great place to search for certain files you typically need.
- Emudeck
- https://www.emudeck.com/
- full list of hotkeys and file types supported
- There was also an icon on the desktop to just update the emulators vs re-running the emudeck installer again.
- hotkeys
- L3 + R3 RetroArch menu
- Select + Start (x2) Quit RetroArch
- Select + A Pause emulation
- Select + R2 Fast-forward
- Select + L1 Load save state
- Select + R1 Save state
- Roms folder:
- /run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/roms/
- Bios folder:
- /run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/bios/
- PCSX2 (PS2)
- https://pcsx2.net/
- Hotkeys with my suggested steam input button mappings
- Shift F1 - save state (L5 R1)
- Shift F3 - load state (L5 L1)
- Esc - quit (R5 R4)
- F6 - cycle aspect (L5 select)
- F9 - toggle hw/sw (L5 start)
- F2 - cycle save slost (L5 L4)
- RPCS3 (PS3)
- I launch this directly (outside of emulation station)
- Make sure you install the firmware first
- Each game folder must end in .ps3
- example: my game.ps3
- BLUSXXXXX
- fix controls by clicking pads and saving. Do this anytime rpcs3 is updated.
- Citra (3DS)
- google: Batch CIA 3DS Decryptor - A simple batch file to decrypt CIA & 3DS
- hotkeys with my suggested steam input button mappings
- X - exit (R5 R4)
- F - full screen (L4)
- S - Swap screens (L5 L4)
- E - toggle layout
- Shift + L - save to oldest slot (L5 L1)
- Ctrl + v - load from newest slot (L5 L1)
- Saturn
- each rom should be in its own folder
- cue/bin format
- Dreamcast
- M3u multi disc. Rename each disc file to .chd and edit m3u
- example:
- mygame.m3u
- mygamedisc1.chd
- mygamedisc2.chd
- mygamedisc3.chd
- Dolphin (Wii)
- Great video from Moskeeto:
- Controllers | emulated will remote 1 configure
- Motion simulation
- Shake Z: R2
- Point
- Up: right click, clear, input2/0/virtual core pointer, curosr Y-
- Down: Y+
- Left: X-
- Right: X+
- Extension nunchuk
- Buttons
- C: L1
- Z: R1
- Profile give name: deck click save
- Load deck profile every time after you update emudeck
- Cemu (Wii U)
- I launch this directly (outside of emulation station)
- Google Cemu USB Helper
- Make sure you download and install shader cache file for your games
- download graphicPack inside cemu and enable FPS++
- Xemu (Xbox)
- /run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/saves/xemu
- eeprom.bin
- xbox_hdd.qcow2
- google: XDVDMulleterBeta10.2
- https://altarofgaming.com/how-to-play-xbox-1-games-on-pc/
- https://github.com/XboxDev/extract-xiso
- Yuzu (Switch)
- /run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/bios/yuzu/firmware
- /run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/bios/yuzu/keys
- google: emusak
- suspend/resume: Bind a button chord of your choice to F4 which pauses/unpauses the emulator.
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/tf2dbl/yuzu_emulator_do_sleep_and_resume_work_for_you/ - actually pause/unpause is already bound to select + B.
- exit: select + start
- toggle framerate: select + r2 (unlocks framerate)
- emudeck sets this up with global settings for rendering at half resolution (.5). I find this makes text really hard to read in text heavy games. I changed this to .75 global and then on an individual game basis tweaked to .5 or 1 depending on how demanding the game is and how text heavy it is.
- Windows 11
- https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/install-windows-steam-deck
- Volume down + power = boot menu
- remove drive letters/mounts
- mountvol f: /d
- reduce disk access
- synctime.cmd
- net start w32time
- W32tm /resync /force
- Controls
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_lFmtSSEnQ
- https://github.com/Alia5/GlosSI/releases
- 1-install vc_redist
- 2-install vigemBusSetup
- 3-install HidHideMSI
- 4-open GlossiConfigg
- 5-add notepad
- https://github.com/BrianLima/UWPHook
- Accessories
- Sd cards, Sd card holders
- Sandisk extreme 1tb $170 ($140 historical low)
- Sandisk ultra 1tb $130 ($110 historical low)
- Sd card holder credit card $7
- 30 slots $9
- Sd card tester
- Stand, fan vents
- TGDPLUE stand $11 adjustable
- KUNSLUCK ($14)
- Screen protector: $9 for 3. amFilm
- usb c hub (untested)
- anker no ethernet $35
- anker with ethernet $60
- Gigabit ethernet usb adapter $13
- Keyboard/mouse
- RK royal kludge rk61 ($50)
- Logitech m510 $27
- razer orochi v2 $70
- Renewed $35 white
- Logteich k400 plus $28
- G305 $38
- Zscmalls $130 Portable monitor
- Pd charger 100w NekTeck $43
- Power Bank (20K mah, 20w pd, $70, untested)
- Rynx $12 capture card (sold out but seems other identical ones are $15-20)
- usb lapel mic $18
- ifixit parts
- Misc
- Battery issues
- After 2 months of almost daily use I finally ran into a battery issue. It showed 96% but would show 1 minute left of power and then would auto shutdown due to low battery. Battery calibration was all screwed up. This happened when I tethered the deck to my iPhone for internet. I've also been using other chargers recently like slow usb chargers. So I'm not sure exactly what caused it yet. Here is what fixed it for me:
- Plug in power (use original charger only) so you can turn it on. Hold down volume + while pressing power to get into the bios menu. Unplug and leave it on this screen until it completely drains the battery and shuts down. It might take several hours.
- Plug power back in and it will immediately boot into steam os. Let it finish booting and unplug.
- It will power down again due to lower battery. As it shuts down and it goes to the first blank screen (backlight still on) but before the steam deck logo displays plug back in the power. The timing is important.
- If done correctly the steam deck should be charging (white led on) but completely powered down (steam os NOT running).
- Let it charge for 8 hrs without touching it. The white led should go off when fully charged.
- Should be fixed now.
- Here are more details: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/vfxuc9/for_anyone_struggling_with_battery_issues_random/
- Low sound
English to Chinese BETA
English to French
English to German
English to Italian
English to Japanese BETA
English to Korean BETA
English to Russian BETA 
English to Spanish