How To Run N64 Games On The Steam Deck

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming history under my belt, I must say that the Steam Deck has truly revolutionized the way we can play our favorite retro games on-the-go. The ability to run emulators like EmuDeck and play classics such as Nintendo 64’s golden titles like Goldeneye, Ogre Battle 64, WCW/NWO Revenge, and WWF No Mercy is a dream come true for many of us.

On the Nintendo 64 console, you’ll find an impressive collection of exclusive titles such as the iconic “007 Goldeneye,” “Ogre Battle 64,” and wrestling games from AKI like “WCW/NWO Revenge” and “WWF No Mercy.” Now, with the advent of the Steam Deck and a robust tool called EmuDeck, you can play these retro games on Valve’s handheld PC. This guide will show you how to install EmuDeck and optimize N64 games for smooth performance on your Steam Deck.

Tools For Running The Emulator

How To Run N64 Games On The Steam Deck

Prior to downloading the emulator and moving the ROMs onto your Steam Deck, make sure to get these necessary tools first.

You can connect a keyboard and mouse with a docking device to navigate menus and type game titles. However, you can bring up the built-in keyboard by pressing the Steam button and the X button together.
An A2 MicroSD card or an external HDD if you plan on keeping the Steam Deck connected to the Steam Deck Dock. An external storage method is required to install the emulator and the ROMs.
Legally owned N64 ROMs.

Downloading EmuDeck On The Steam Deck

To set up the necessary tools first, you can then proceed to download the EmuDeck software, allowing you to play your preferred Nintendo 64 games on your handheld device.

Press the Steambutton.
Open the System menu and switch Developer Mode on.
Move further down the left menu and switch CEF Debugging on.
Select the Power option.
Then highlight and select Switch toDesktop Mode.

Desktop Mode

Install and open a browser like Firefox, Google Chrome, or DuckDuckGo.
Download the EmuDeck program from the EmuDeck website, select download, select the Steam OS version, and choose Custom Install.
With the EmuDeck startup process menu select the SD Card image named Primary.
You can now select as many emulators as you want or if you want Nintendo 64 games, select the N64 emulators, RetroArch, and Steam Rom Manager.
Skip the next few screens and select Finish to finalize the installation.

Transfer The N64 ROMS

Open the Dolphin File Manager.
Select Primary from Removable Devices.
Click on the Emulation folder.
Select ROMs and open the N64 folder.
Transfer your N64 ROMS into the folder.

There are two N64 folders generated by the emulators but put the games inside the N64 folder, not the N64dd.

As a dedicated gamer, I always double-check that my Nintendo 64 ROM files have the appropriate extensions to ensure smooth gameplay. Here’s a simple guide for naming my ROMs correctly:

N64 ROM Formats	.z64 .v64 .n64

Steam ROM Manager

It’s now appropriate to integrate Nintendo 64 games into the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode, allowing them to show up in your game collection alongside your legitimate titles.

Reopen the EmuDeck.
Select Steam ROM Manager from the left panel and click yes on the popup box.
Select Next.
Then under Parsers select the two N64 emulators and select Add Games.
On the next screen select Parse.
Ensure the N64 game covers appear.
As two emulators are getting added, the artwork will appear twice.
Select Save to Steam.
Wait for the Done adding/removing entries box to appear in the top left of the Steam ROM Manager and close the window.
Double-click Return to Gaming Mode on the Desktop background.

Playing N64 Games On The Steam Deck

Using the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode, let’s find and enjoy the Nintendo 64 games you have stored in your Steam library.

With the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode, press the Steam button.
Click on Library.
Press the R1 button to open the Collections tab.
Open the Nintendo 64 window.
Select the game and Play.
Press the QAM button underneath the right trackpad.
Open the Performance menu.
Switch Use Per Game Profile on.
Increase the Frame Limit to 60 FPS (60 Hz)

As a seasoned retro gaming enthusiast who has spent countless hours tinkering with emulators and handheld consoles, I can confidently say that running N64 games on the Steam Deck is a breeze if you follow the right settings and frame rates for optimal performance. Here’s what you need to do:

2024-08-06 02:03