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The Sega Dreamcast was the last machine the company launched before bowing out of the console market. It didn't reach the heights of the PS1 and PS2 in sales, but the console was home to some memorable classics that are still worth playing today.

PS2 logo on Steam Deck
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Games like SoulCalibur, Jet Set Radio, Powerstone, Resident Evil - Code: Veronica, and more were a big step up from the PS1 and the N64 and even rivaled early PS2 games. Nowadays, Dreamcast fans can run their games on the handheld PC with the Steam Deck through a powerful emulator called EmuDeck.

Updated on June 8, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: At launch, the Sega Dreamcast was the most powerful gaming console available until the PS2 landed a year later. For those who don't have access to this platform, the EmuDeck allows players to play Sega Dreamcast games on the Steam Deck without issue. That said, the program often goes through changes and updates to make the experience better, so players will sometimes have to familiarize themselves with new steps in order to get games running. As such, this guide has been updated to explain the new steps that players must follow in order to add Sega Dreamcast games and cover art via the Steam Rom Manager.

Before Installing EmuDeck On The Steam Deck

Steam Deck with SD slot on the bottom

Before installing the EmuDeck to run Sega Dreamcast games on the Steam Deck, users must have specific items and tools to make the process less challenging and keep the Steam Deck's internal SSD safe:

  • High-speed A2 Micro SD card: Use a high-speed SD card to protect the Steam Deck's internal SSD, download games, and run powerful titles on the handheld machine without issues.
  • Legally owned Dreamcast ROMS: Owners of Sega Dreamcast games can run ROMs on the Steam Deck's emulation app.
  • Keyboard and Mouse: This guide installs the EmuDeck software in the Steam Deck's Desktop Mode. For an easier experience, players should use a keyboard and mouse to download and transfer files.

How To Install EmuDeck On The Steam Deck For Dreamcast Games

Running the EmuDeck program

The EmuDeck is a fantastic program that can install multiple emulators for gaming consoles in one place, or users can single out the ones they want and stick with those. These steps focus on installing the EmuDeck program to cover all bases:

  • Press the Steam button below the left trackpad.
  • Select the Power option and switch toDesktop Mode.
  • Download the EmuDeck via this link using a preferred browser like Firefox, Chrome, etc.
  • Select the SteamOS version and download it.
  • After EmuDeck has downloaded, double-click the installer to begin the installation process.
  • Select Custom Install.
  • On the EmuDeck menu, select the SD card image.
  • As mentioned above, the EmuDeck can run multiple emulators, but the emulator needed for Dreamcast games is called the Flycast.
  • Select the Flycast emulator and ensure Steam Rom Manager is selected to install.
  • In the EmuDeck menu, select Quick Settings.
  • Switch Autosave on.
  • Switch on CRT 2D and CRT 3D.

How To Add Dreamcast Games To The Steam Library

Emulators on Steam Deck

Transferring Dreamcast Files

  • Open the Dolphin File Manager.
  • Select and open Primary on the bottom left panel to access the SD card.
  • Open the Emulation folder.
  • Then open ROMS.
  • Open the Dreamcast folder and transfer the Dreamcast ROM files to it. Each file should end with .cdi.

Some Dreamcast games have different file extensions, but the .cdi is the most reliable.

Adding Dreamcast Games To The Library

With the legally owned Dreamcast game files in the correct folder, it's time to add Dreamcast games to the Steam library.

  • Select Steam Rom Manager from the side menu.
  • Click Yes on the prompt to close the Steam app running in the background.
  • On the Parsers menu, select the tab with the Dreamcast logo – RetroArch Flycast.
  • Select Add Game.
  • Click Refresh to open the Steam Rom Manager.
  • EmuDeck’s Steam Rom Manager will locate the games and their artwork to save them on the Steam library.
  • If you’re happy with the cover art for the emulated games, select Save to Steam.
Pause Games running on the Steam Deck
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How To Fix Missing Artwork On EmuDeck

Selecting the Dreamcast emulator on Steam Rom Manager

The Steam Rom Manager has a vast database of cover art for games, but it can occasionally select the wrong cover, or there may be occasions where the appropriate art is missing altogether. Moreover, the EmuDeck can have trouble locating the art for modified or Japanese games. The following steps can be used to fix or customize missing artwork:

  • If the Steam Rom Manager displays the wrong cover art, select Fix.
Select fix on the Steam Rom Manager
  • Enter the game's title in the Fix Artwork and Title search bar.
  • The Steam Rom Manager should display a selection of new covers for the game. Click a cover so the tab turns white.
Changing the cover art on the Steam Rom Manager
  • Save and close to add the new artwork.
  • Then, select Save to Steam, wait for the app to finish adding games and art to the Steam library, and close EmuDeck.

How To Upload Missing Or Custom Artwork

Some Japanese, untranslated, or modded games may cause issues for the EmuDeck. Thankfully, you can add your own covers and artwork with the following steps:

  • Download and save your preferred cover art using a browser in the Steam Deck’s Desktop Mode.
  • Save it to the Pictures folder.
  • Open the Steam Rom Manager within EmuDeck.
  • Select Add Game.
  • Then Refresh.
  • Instead of clicking Fix, select Upload.
Changing the cover art with upload on the Steam Rom Manager
  • Locate the cover art in the Pictures folder, then Save and Close.
  • Select Save to Steam, wait for the app to finish adding games and art to the Steam library, and close EmuDeck.

How To Play Dreamcast Games On The Steam Deck

Dreamcast version of Street Fighter 3 on Steam Deck

After adding games via the Steam Rom Manager, it's time to play Dreamcast games from the Steam library. The following steps can be used to access the games:

  • In gaming mode, press the Steam button.
  • Select the Library menu.
  • Press the R1 button to highlight Collections.
  • Open the Dreamcast tab, then select and play the Dreamcast games.

If games are running slowly, press the QAS button under the right trackpad, highlight the Performance menu, increase the Frame Limit to 60 FPS , and toggle Use per-game profile on.

Steam Deck Console
Steam Deck

4K Capabilities
Yes
Screen
7" diagonal 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio) 60Hz
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0 and Dual-band Wi-Fi radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Ports
1x USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, 1x USB 3.2 ,1x Micro SD slot, 1x 3.5 audio jack