What Consoles Can the Steam Deck Emulate?
The Steam Deck can emulate a wide range of consoles, including Atari, Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega CD, Sega 32X, PC Engine, NES, Super Nintendo, MAME, FinalBurn Neo, Master System, Game Boy, Neo Geo Pocket, Game Gear, and more, with the best performance seen in 8-bit and 16-bit consoles. The Steam Deck also supports emulation of early 3D consoles like the N64, Gamecube, and PS1 and PS2, although more recent consoles like the PS3, Wii, Wii U, Switch, and Xbox may have issues with game compatibility and require tweaking of settings files.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
- What platforms can you play on Steam Deck?: The Steam Deck displays compatible games from the Steam storefront, with Linux games running natively and Windows games supported through the Proton compatibility layer.
- Is Steam Deck emulation legal?: Yes, it is legal to use the Steam Deck as an emulator, although sharing copyrighted ROMs online is illegal.
- Can Steam Deck play PS5 games?: The Steam Deck can be used as a remote play device for the PS5 using the Chiaki4Deck program.
Emulation Performance
- What can Steam Deck emulate well?: The Steam Deck can emulate 8-bit and 16-bit consoles well, including the NES, SNES, and Genesis, as well as early 3D consoles like the N64, Gamecube, and PS1 and PS2.
- Can Steam Deck emulate everything?: No, the Steam Deck has its limits, with more recent consoles like the PS3, Wii, Wii U, Switch, and Xbox having issues with game compatibility.
Setting Up Emulation
- How do I play PS1 games on Steam Deck?: To play PS1 games on the Steam Deck, you can use the DuckStation emulator, which can be downloaded and installed on the device.
- Can Steam Deck emulate PS2?: Yes, the Steam Deck can emulate PS2 games using the PCSX2 emulator.
Compatibility and Performance
- Does Steam Deck run better than PS5?: No, the PS5 has more powerful hardware than the Steam Deck, with a more powerful GPU and faster memory.
- Can Steam Deck play Xbox games?: Yes, the Steam Deck can play Xbox games through the Xbox app and Game Pass.
Using the Steam Deck as a PC
- Can Steam Deck turn into PC?: Yes, the Steam Deck can be used as a PC computer, with a desktop operating system and support for mod installation and graphics settings adjustment.
- Is it easy to emulate old games on Steam Deck?: Yes, game emulation is a quick and simple way to enjoy old favorites on the Steam Deck, with a wide range of control options and support for many emulators.
Additional Information
- What is Chiaki?: Chiaki is a free and open-source PS4 remote play client that can be used on the Steam Deck to play PS4 and PS5 games.
- Can you put PS5 games on Steam Deck?: Yes, you can play PS5 games on the Steam Deck using the Chiaki4Deck program and remote play.
- Is it legal to rip your own ROMs?: There is no clear legal precedent for ripping and downloading ROMs for games you own, although sharing copyrighted ROMs online is illegal.
- Will there be a Steam Deck 2?: According to Valve designer Pierre-Loup Griffais, a Steam Deck 2 will not be released until at least 2025, with the current device expected to receive regular software updates and support.