The Nintendo DS was a fantastic handheld console that became the home for some of the most creative and entertaining games in a generation. Unfortunately, many of the console's best games aren't available on modern systems, and even if you own the games, if the console breaks down, there are few viable options to play them on modern machines.

EmuDeck on the Steam Deck serves as a gateway to retro gaming, allowing you to play titles from various generations, including those from the DS. This guide will outline the steps to install EmuDeck and enable you to enjoy your favorite DS games on the Steam Deck.

Updated February 21, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn: Running classic Nintendo DS games on the Steam Deck is made easier with the EmuDeck program. However, to perfect your performance, you should install Decky Loader to optimize your power settings. The Decky program requires a sudo password before being installed. This guide has been updated to include the steps for setting up a sudo password.

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Enable Developer Mode On The Steam Deck

Steam Deck enable Developer mode

Before installing EmuDeck on the Steam Deck, you should enable Developer Mode and CEF Remote Debugging to ensure the Steam Deck remains compatible with the EmuDeck’s updates.

  • Switch on the Steam Deck.
  • Press the Steam button to access the Steam Menu.
  • Open the System menu and switch on Developer Mode.
  • Open the Developer menu.
  • In the Developer menu, switch on CEF Remote Debugging.
  • Press the Steam Button and select the Power menu.
  • Switch to Desktop Mode.

Before Installing EmuDeck On Steam Deck...

Steam Deck the SD card slot to increase storage
  • You’ll need a high-speed A2 micro SD card to install the EmuDeck and games. Format the SD card on the Steam Deck.
  • DS ROMs for the games – DS files end with.nds.
  • You can use a keyboard and mouse to make installation and transferring files easier.

Switch To Desktop Mode On Steam Deck

Download EmuDeck
  • Press the Steam button, select Power, and switch to Desktop Mode.
  • Open a browser and download EmuDeck.
  • Select download, and select the Steam OS version.
  • Run the installer and select Custom.
  • Click on the SD card image.
  • Then select the Steam Deck.
  • Select RetroArch, MelonDS, Steam ROM Manager, and Emulation Station. Or install all emulators for later use.
  • Skip the next few screens and select Finalize to initiate the installation.

Transfer DS Files & Add Them To The Steam Deck Library

Steam Rom manager for the DS

Now, it’s time to transfer your DS files to their correct folders so the EmuDeck program can detect them in the Steam ROM Manager.

  • Click on the Dolphin File Manager.
  • Click on the SD card labeled as Primary.
  • Click the split option.
  • In one square, select Emulation and ROMS.
  • Click on the folder named NDS.
  • Copy your DS files into the empty folder.

Add The Games With Steam ROM Manager

Select the DS emulators on Steam Deck
  • In Desktop Mode, reopen EmuDeck.
  • Open Steam ROM Manager from the left panel and click yes.
  • Then click on Next.
  • Click on the two Nintendo DS windows.
  • Click on Add Games and then click on Parse.
  • The Steam ROM Manager will prepare your games and their covers.

Fix Missing Covers For DS Games On The Steam Deck

Fix images in the Steam Rom manager for the DS

Most of the time, the Steam ROM Manager will find and locate all of your covers and add them to the Steam Deck’s Gaming Mode and the library. However, some obscure or imported titles may not show. Use the following steps to fix any missing covers:

  • If you have missing covers, select Fix.
  • Type the game's title in the Fix Artwork and Title search bar.
  • Select one of the game covers on the sidebar and scroll until you find a suitable cover.
  • Click the cover so it is highlighted in white.
  • Then click Save and close in the top right of the Steam Rom Manager.

Add Your Own Covers

You may be required to add your own covers if the SRM can’t find them. Use a Google image search to locate your game’s cover and follow the steps below.

  • Instead of Fix, click Upload.
  • Locate and add your image.
  • Then select Save and Close.
  • Close SRM and switch back to Gaming Mode.
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Play Your DS Games In Gaming Mode

Suikodne Tierkris on the Steam Deck with a DS emulator
  • Press the Steam button to access the Library option.
  • Select the Collections.
  • Select the Nintendo DS folder and select your game to play.

Performance Tip

  • Press the QAM button when your DS game launches – the three-dotted button underneath the right trackpad.
  • Open the Performance menu from the QAM.
  • Switch on Use per-game profile.
  • Then, increase the frame rate to 60 FPS to fix any potential slow-down issues.

Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck

Steam Deck Decky Loader download screen

If the above settings fail to optimize performance for DS games on the Steam Deck, EmuDeck developers suggest installing Power Tools via the Decky Loader program. Follow these steps to install them on your Steam Deck.

  • You may want to connect a keyboard and mouse as it's easier to type, navigate, and open links.
  • To switch to Desktop Mode, press the Steam button, then Power, and select Switch to Desktop Mode.
  • Open a browser in Desktop Mode and navigate to the GitHub Decky Loader page.
  • Move down the page to locate the large Download icon and click on it to begin downloading.
  • Find the file you downloaded, double-click on the launcher, and choose Recommended Install.

Create A Sudo Password

To successfully install the Decky Loader program, you'll need to create a sudo password, as administrative privileges are required for installation. Follow these steps to set up a new password:

  • In Desktop Mode, click the Steam Deck icon at the bottom left of the taskbar.
  • Type Konsole in the search bar and open the app.
  • Type 'passwd'.
  • Then, type your new memorable password in the first box and confirm it in the second.
  • Run the Decky installer and type in your new password.
  • Launch the installer again, and type in your sudo password at the prompt to begin the installation.
  • When the installation is complete, restart the Steam Deck in Gaming Mode.

Install Power Tools

Steam Deck - install PowerTools

After installing Decky Loader, the next step is to install Power Tools using the Decky Loader program. Follow the steps below to complete the installation.

  • In Gaming Mode, press the Quick Access Menu (QAM) button located beneath the right trackpad.
  • Select the new plugin icon at the bottom of the QAM.
  • Select the store icon at the top of the Decky Loader menu.
  • In the Decky Store, find the Power Tools plugin and install it.

Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games

  • Launch a DS Game from your Non-Steam Library and wait for it to start playing.
  • Press the QAM button and open Decky Loader.
  • Select the Power Tools menu.
  • Turn off SMTs.
  • Now, adjust the slider to set the Threads to 4.
  • Press the QAM button and open the Performance menu.
  • Toggle Enable Advanced View.
  • Switch the Manual GPU Clock Control On.
  • In the next step, Increase the GPU Clock Frequency to 1200.
  • Next, choose Per Game Profile to save these settings for your game. Use this step for individual titles suffering from performance issues.

Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update

Decky Loader on the Steam Deck

As with its latest update, major updates that bring new features to the Steam Deck may break third-party apps like Decky Loader by removing it from your QAM. Luckily, all your settings and plugins can be restored with the following steps.

  • Press the Steam button in Gaming Mode to access the Power options, then select Switch to Desktop Mode.
  • Open a browser in Desktop Mode, head to the Decky Loader GitHub page, and click the Download icon.
  • You must select Execute and not Open. The Execute function is the only way to restore your settings.
  • At the prompt, enter your sudo password. To set up a sudo password, follow the prompts displayed on your screen. Choose a password that is both memorable and secure, and be sure to record it somewhere safe for future reference during installations of other third-party programs.
  • After the installation, power off the Steam Deck and restart it in Gaming Mode.
  • Press the QAM button, and your Decky Loader app and menu should be exactly as it was before the update.

That's everything needed to play Nintendo DS on the Steam Deck and enjoy your games on a different system.

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Steam Deck Console
Steam Deck
Display card main info widget
Screen
7" diagonal 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio) 60Hz
Storage
64 GB - 512 GB
Display card main info widget end

Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
CPU
AMD APU Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz
Battery
40Whr battery. 2 - 8 hours of gameplay
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
Dimensions
298mm x 117mm x 49mm
Audio
Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience and Dual Microphone Array
4K Capabilities
Yes
Weight
Approx. 669 grams