How To Play PS3 Games On The Steam Deck

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of console transitions and emulation setups. The latest addition to my gaming arsenal is the Steam Deck, and I must say, I’m impressed!

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about the PlayStation 3 era. This console was truly exceptional with its impressive lineup of exclusives that left me in awe, even by today’s high-definition graphics standards. Games like Uncharted and the Resistance series stood out with their captivating storylines and visually stunning presentations. However, developing games for this system was no small feat. It posed quite a challenge for game creators due to its intricate development process.

The complexity of running PS3 games on the Steam Deck is eased by using the RPCS3 emulator. Although not flawless, this emulator allows popular PS3 titles to be played on the Steam Deck with appropriate settings. In this guide, we’ll present the simplest and most dependable method for playing PS3 games on the Steam Deck.

Before Installing EmuDeck On The Steam Deck

How To Play PS3 Games On The Steam Deck

Based on my personal experience, I strongly believe that running emulation programs on the Steam Deck is most effectively achieved by installing EmuDeck. As someone who has tried various methods and encountered numerous issues in the past, I can attest to the importance of proper preparation for a successful installation.

A high-speed A2 microSD card is needed to install the emulator and PS3 games.
Plug the Steam Deck into the mains or use a Steam Deck Dock. You must ensure the Steam Deck has enough battery life for installation.
A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse will simplify the setup, navigation, and file transfer process.
Legally owned PS3 ROMS.

Install EmuDeck On The Steam Deck

As a seasoned gamer and tech enthusiast, I can tell you from my personal experience that there are various ways to get PS3 games running on the Steam Deck, but if you’re looking for a hassle-free experience, give EmuDeck a try. This nifty tool simplifies the process of installing and adding more emulators to your handheld device. Here’s how to set it up:

Switch the Steam Deck on.
Press the Steam button underneath the left trackpad.
Highlight System.
Then toggle on Enable Developer Mode.
Highlight the Developer menu on the left panel.
Switch on Enable Unified Frame Limit Management.
Press the Steam button again and select Power.
Switch to Desktop mode.

Desktop Mode

Open your preferred browser.
Download the latest PS3 software from the official PlayStation website and download the Windows version.
Save the PS3UPDAT file into a memorable folder on the Steam Deck.
Navigate to the EmuDeck website select download, select the Steam OS version, and choose Custom Install.
in the EmuDeck menu select the SD Card image named Primary.
You can now select your emulators. Select them all or the PS3 emulator named RPCS3.
Also, ensure you select theSteam ROM Manager.
Keep skipping ahead and select Finish to finalize the installation.

Transfer PS3 ROMS

Open the Dolphin File Manager.

Open the Primary folder underneath Removeable Devices.
Open the Emulation folder.
Click ROMS and locate the folder named PS3 transfer your PS3 ROMS into that folder.

Adding The PS3 Update File

Click the Steam icon in the bottom left and open All Applications look for the program named RPCS3 and open it.

In RPCS3, click File, Install Firmware, and open your saved PS3UPDAT PUP file.
Wait a few moments and the PS3 software update file will synch with the emulator.

Controller Set Up

Open Configuration.
Open Pads and then Player 1.

Under Handlers, change the Keyboard toSDL.
Ensure Steam Virtual Gamepad 1 is selected underneath Devices.
Then select Save.

Adding PS3 Games To Steam Deck Library

To enjoy your PS3 games on your Steam Deck with ease, follow these simple steps to include them in your Steam Library:

It’s a good idea to verify the compatibility of PS3 games for the Steam Deck using the RPCS3 emulator compatibility list prior to downloading and adding ROMS.

Reopen the EmuDeck app in All Applications.
Under Featured, select Steam Rom Manager.
Click Yes to Exit Steam.
Select Next on the Welcome to SRM! screen.
Switch Toggle Parsers off.
Select the two PS3 tabs named RPCS3 Extracted ISO and RPCS3 Installed PKG.
Click Add Games and then Parse on the next screen.
If all the artwork is correct click on Save to Steam.

Fix Missing Artwork In EmuDeck

There may be some rare occasions where the Steam Rom Manager won’t be able to find the cover art for the PS3 titles. Use the following steps to fix and upload missing artwork:

If the PS3 game’s artwork is missing or incorrect click Fix inside the cover window.
Click the dropdown arrow next to Per-App-Exceptions to expand the search bar.
Type the game’s title in the “Game Title” search bar.
Click the desired artwork so it turns white.
Then click Save and close.

Upload Missing Artwork

In the Steam Rom Manager, you have the option to either upload your personal artwork or choose from pre-existing cover art for your games. This artwork will then be added to your Steam library.

Click Upload.
Locate your cover art in the file manager.
Wait for the image to upload and click Save and close.
Click Save to Steam to add the games and cover art to the Steam library.

Running The PS3 Games On The Steam Deck

As an avid gamer and a proud owner of both a PlayStation 3 and a Steam Deck, I’m excited to discover how I can enjoy my favorite PS3 games on my handheld device. Let’s find out where those titles are hidden within my collection and get them running smoothly on the Steam Deck.

Return the Steam Deck to Gaming Mode.
Press the Steam button.
Highlight the Library menu and open it.
Press the R1 button and open the Collections tab.
Open the PlayStation 3 window.
Select one of the PS3 games you transferred and click Play.
Most PS3 games will show a “compiling shaders” notification. This is normal to get the PS3 games running and will eventually go away.

Fix Slowdown For PS3 Games

Certain PS3 games might experience hiccups and sluggish performance. This issue can often be resolved by adjusting the game’s settings.

Press the QAM button underneath the right trackpad.
Open the Performance menu.

Switch on Use per-game profile.
Try changing the Frame Limit to 40 FPS. If that doesn’t work then increase it to 60 FPS.

As a long-time gamer and tech enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of Steam Deck for its promise to bring PlayStation 3 games on the go. Having spent hours tinkering with emulators in the past, I’m well aware that this isn’t a plug-and-play experience.

2024-07-17 05:03