How to Get Citra on Your Steam Deck: A Comprehensive Guide

The Steam Deck, a powerful handheld gaming PC, has become incredibly popular, especially for its versatility, including the ability to run emulators. One emulator that many users are keen to utilize is Citra, a popular emulator for the Nintendo 3DS. If you’re eager to relive your 3DS gaming experiences on your Steam Deck, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, from installation to getting your games up and running.

Installation and Setup

The easiest and most recommended method to install Citra on your Steam Deck is through EmuDeck, a fantastic tool that simplifies the setup of numerous emulators. Here’s how to do it:

1. Switch to Desktop Mode: Begin by powering on your Steam Deck. Then, press and hold the power button until the power menu appears. Select “Switch to Desktop” to enter desktop mode. This is where most of the behind-the-scenes work takes place.

2. Download EmuDeck: Open a web browser and navigate to the official EmuDeck website. Find the download section and download the EmuDeck installer.

3. Run the Installer: Once the download is complete, locate the installer file (usually in your Downloads folder) and execute it. Follow the on-screen prompts to install EmuDeck on your Steam Deck. EmuDeck will guide you through most of the setup process, so simply choose the default options if you’re unsure.

4. Install Citra via EmuDeck: After EmuDeck is installed, launch it. The app will detect your system and ask you which emulators you’d like to install. Citra should be included in the list of emulators; simply select it. EmuDeck will then take care of installing Citra and setting it up correctly.

5. Locate the Roms Folder: Once the installation is complete, locate the “Emulation” folder. You’ll find this in your file manager. Inside, there’s a folder titled “roms.” This is where you will place your game ROMs.

Adding Games (ROMs) to Citra

After installing Citra, you’ll need to add game ROMs to play. This involves several steps and a critical understanding of the legality involved.

1. Obtain Your Games Legally: It is imperative to emphasize that you need to legally obtain your game ROMs. The only legal way to acquire ROM files is to dump them from your own physical game cartridges. This process requires a hacked 3DS and is outside the scope of this article. Any other method of obtaining these files is considered piracy and is illegal.

2. Organize your ROM files: After obtaining your ROMs, they should be in the .3ds format, the most common for 3DS games. Make sure your ROM files are properly named for ease of access.

3. Copy ROMs to the Correct Folder: Locate the “roms” folder within the “Emulation” directory. Inside the “roms” folder, you will see a subfolder named “3ds“. Copy your .3ds ROM files into this folder.

4. Copy Bios Files: Citra may require bios files in order to run properly. Locate and download your bios files. Then, within the Emulation folder, navigate to the bios subfolder and copy the files there.

5. Return to Gaming Mode: After setting up the ROMs, go back to Gaming Mode on your Steam Deck. The games should now appear in your Steam library, ready to be launched. You can also favorite them for quick access.

Why Citra?

Citra offers an enhanced gaming experience compared to playing on the original 3DS hardware. The emulator allows for higher resolutions, enhanced graphics, and a more customizable experience. Moreover, it allows you to play your favorite games on a modern, more versatile device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I directly download Citra without EmuDeck?

Yes, you can download Citra directly from the official Citra website. However, EmuDeck simplifies the process, especially for beginners, by handling the setup and configuration of various emulators, including Citra.

2. Is it legal to use Citra on the Steam Deck?

Yes, using Citra as an emulator is legal. The legality comes into question when you obtain game ROMs through any illegal means, like downloading them from unofficial websites. Dumping ROMs from your own physical games is the only legal method.

3. Do I need to own a 3DS to use Citra?

Not necessarily. You can dump games from a friend’s console or buy cartridges and do the dumping yourself. The essential part is that you own the physical copy of the game, which gives you the right to emulate it.

4. Where do I place the Citra BIOS files on my Steam Deck?

You should put the Citra BIOS files in the /Emulation/bios/ subfolder.

5. Can I use ROM files from my SD card on the Steam Deck?

Yes, you can. The Steam Deck can read drives formatted by Windows and macOS. You can copy ROMs from your computer to an SD card and plug it into the Steam Deck. Then, copy the files from the SD card to the correct “roms” folders.

6. Can Citra play all 3DS games?

While Citra has made tremendous progress in compatibility, not all 3DS games are perfectly emulated. Some games may have minor graphical issues or performance problems. However, most well-known games should run effectively.

7. What are the system requirements for Citra on the Steam Deck?

Citra is actively tested and supported on 64-bit versions of Linux, which the Steam Deck runs on. Ensure your Steam Deck has ample storage, RAM, and a suitable processor, which it does by default.

8. Can I use Citra on the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode?

Yes. Once you have added the games to the roms folder, they will appear as a non-steam game in the Steam library and can be launched in gaming mode.

9. Can Citra emulate Nintendo DS games?

No, Citra is specifically designed for Nintendo 3DS games. It does not have the capability to emulate Nintendo DS titles because that requires a different hardware implementation and hence a different emulator.

10. How long does the Steam Deck battery last when using Citra?

Battery life will vary depending on the specific game and your Steam Deck settings. Expect the battery to last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours. Adjusting screen brightness and frame rate limitations can extend battery life.

11. Can I modify the graphics settings of Citra on the Steam Deck?

Yes, Citra allows you to customize graphics settings, resolution, and other options. You can optimize these settings to improve performance or enhance visuals.

12. Can I use a controller with Citra on the Steam Deck?

Yes, you can use the built-in controls of the Steam Deck or connect an external controller, including Bluetooth controllers.

13. Are there any alternatives to Citra for playing 3DS games?

Currently, Citra is the most established and reliable emulator for Nintendo 3DS games. There are no other widely known alternatives.

14. Why can’t I download Citra directly from the Steam store?

Citra is an emulator, which is not a game; therefore, it is not sold on the Steam Store. You must download it independently as described in this article.

15. What if Citra doesn’t work correctly?

Ensure you have the latest version of Citra, that the correct ROM files are in the correct folder, and that you’ve added the BIOS files. You can check online forums and communities for help or additional resources if problems persist.