Last updated 2024-12-07 @ 12:13PM EST

This is my personal, curated list of software/tools/etc for the Steam Deck.

Software

General

  • Decky (Used in Game Mode): For various helpful plugins. Note that if you decide to rely on Decky, you should not blindly update SteamOS.

Non-Steam games

Other stores/launchers

  • Decky Plugin: Junk-Store (Used in Game Mode): For accessing other game store libraries from within Game Mode. Currently supports Epic, with GOG support in progress.
  • Heroic Games Launcher (Desktop Mode): For access to Amazon, Epic, & GOG game libraries. Use in conjunction with SRM.

Emulation

  • EmuDeck (Configured in Desktop Mode, used in Game Mode): For everything emulation. Includes pre-configured SRM which should be used as a baseline, as it is significantly more work to add the emulators to an existing SRM config than it is to add other game launchers.
  • Decky Plugin: EmuDecky: Check EmuDeck’s hotkeys, manage EmuDeck Quick Settings, update your emulators and more.
  • Pegasus: If you would prefer for emulated games to not individually appear in Game Mode, this is a good library GUI to launch from.

Game Streaming

  • chiaki-ng: local-network PS5 console streaming

Tools

  • CoreKeyboard (Desktop Mode): Install from Discover and pin to the taskbar to have an on-screen keyboard available when Steam is closed (i.e. working on SRM).
  • Decky Plugin: Decky Cloud Save: If you wish to backup saves for non-Steam games.
  • Decky Plugin: Storage Cleaner: Cleanup compat data for non-Steam games.
  • Filelight: (Desktop Mode): Useful if you need to visualise disk space usage.
  • Shortix (Configured in Desktop Mode): Use in conjunction with Decky Cloud Save to locate and backup game saves.
  • Steam ROM Manager (Desktop Mode): aka SRM. Used to manage non-Steam game entries in Game Mode. Pre-configured and bundled with EmuDeck.

Resources

Accessories

Notes

  1. The Steam Deck ships with a 45 watt charger, which is also the maximum wattage it will pull when charging.