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The Nintendo 3DSis home to some of the most unique and entertaining games on a handheld system. Even though it’s been succeeded by the Switch, which caters to handheld and home console fans, the 3DS has managed to stand the test of time with its excellent visuals and vast library of games.
However, for those looking to play 3DS titles on theSteam Deckwith its larger screen and docking capabilities, this guide will help players achieve this. There are multiple emulators for users to play with. The best is Lime3Ds, and thanks to the EmuDeck installer, players can enjoy their 3DS games on a Steam Deck without worrying about overly complicated settings.
Updated July 28, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn:Playing classic games on the Steam Deck is an excellent way to support video game preservation in our digital age. It also enables you to enjoy games you own across different platforms.
This guide has been updated to include the steps for installing Decky Loader and its plugin, Power Tools. Power Tools enhances the stability and performance of classic games. Additionally, this guide will provide a fix for Decky Loader following the latest Steam Deck updates.
How To Install EmuDeck On The Steam Deck
EmuDeck is the best tool for emulating games on the Steam Deck, as it does most of the hard work for players, from organizing folders to performing the necessary updates to keep emulators like Citra working at optimal performance. Before installing EmuDeck, users should have the following tools and settings for the Steam Deck:
Enable Developer Mode
It’s a good idea to enable Developer Mode on the Steam Deck in addition to using the above tools. This will help maintain the system’s functionality when running various emulators and programs that aren’t native to the Steam Deck, ensuring that they run in Gaming Mode without any issues.
Whether you’re running the Steam Deck in beta testing or stable mode, the handheld will receive several major updates. As a result, the Developer Mode and CEF Debugging may get switched off by default. If the emulator or plugins that use Decky Loader lose functionality, check the Developer menu and ensure that CEF Debugging is enabled.
Install EmuDeck
To install EmuDeck for the Steam Deck and run Citra for 3DS games, use the following steps:
Even though the Citra emulator is no longer supported, EmuDeck will create the 3DS folders to place the 3DS ROMS.
Install Gyro Features
How To Transfer 3DS Files Into EmuDeck
Steam Deck users must transfer their 3DS files into the correct folder on EmuDeck. The following steps can be used to copy files into the EmuDeck folders:
How To Install Lime3DS On The Steam Deck
With EmuDeck, Gyro controls installed, and games added to the 3DS folder, you mustuse your preferred browserand download the Lime 3DS emulator usingthis link. Then, use the following steps:
Users can choose between OpenGL and Vulkan by clicking on the bottom left of the Lime3DS application. Most games work with OpenGL, but if there are issues, return to the app and try Vulkan.
Configure Controls
Steam Deck users need to configure their control system by using the following steps:
The test will only detect the servers if Steam Deck users have installed the Gyro features in the above steps.
How To Add Lime3DS To The EmuDeck
Steam Deck users can run their 3DS games in the Steam Deck’s Desktop mode, but adding them to the Steam Library via EmuDeck is better. Use the following steps to add them to the library:
How To Add 3DS Games To The Steam Library
With EmuDeck and Lime installed and the 3DS games transferred, Steam Deck users can add their games to the library. To add 3DS games to the library, the following steps can be used:
How To Fix Missing Images On EmuDeck
There may be occasions where the Steam Rom Manager might have trouble locatingthe cover art for specific titles. This can happen with modded, imported, and translated games. Thankfully, these issues can be corrected within the Steam Rom Manager by using the following steps:
Check if the 3DS Rom is named correctly. If there are numbers in front of the title, the Steam Rom Manager won’t detect the game. To fix this, rename the file, delete the numbers, and refresh the Steam Rom Manager.
Uploading Cover Art For EmuDeck
The Steam Rom Manager has a lot of cover art to choose from. However, the artwork of some more obscure titles may not be available. The following steps can be used to upload your own:
How To Change The 3DS Screen Settings On Steam Deck
Steam Deck users may want to adjust the screen setting on the Steam Deck when running Nintendo 3DS games. To change the dual screen positions and views, press the L4, L5, R4, and R5 buttons on the back of the Steam Deck.
How To Save 3DS Games Anywhere On Steam Deck
How To Fix Slowdown On 3DS Games
Some 3DS games can haveissues with slowing down and freezing. Luckily, there is a fix that players can use to get the games running as adequately as possible. The following steps can be used to get better performance from Nintendo 3DS games on the Steam Deck:
Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck
If the above settings don’t provide a perfect performance on the Steam Deck, the EmuDeck developers recommend installing Power Tools. Power Tools is a plugin that requires the Decky Loader app to run. Use the following steps to get them installed on your Steam Deck.
Install Power Tools
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.
Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games
Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update
The recent Steam Deck update may have removed the Decky Loader application from your QAM. To restore it, follow these steps.
Games will perform better with these settings. There may be an occasional drop between transitional screens, but Steam Deck users will get improved performance overall.
