Steam Deck – How To Run PSP Games With EmuDeck

The PSP was an excellent handheld console with a library of games covering classic JRPGs, action, sports, and more. Thanks to handheld PCs like the Steam Deck and the emulation program, EmuDeck, you can run digital copies of your favorite PSP games without using the UMDs. Furthermore, it preserves the lifespan and condition of the many collectible and rare titles for the PSP. This guide will show you how to install the EmuDeck and run PSP games from the Steam Deck’s Gaming mode next to the line of official games.

Updated August 22, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: The Steam Deck is the perfect device for emulating and improving the performance of handheld games that run on the PSP. Tools like EmuDeck make this process easier by doing most of the work for you. This guide has been updated to include the steps for activating Developer Mode on the Steam Deck, as without it, certain features may be interrupted in future updates.

Before Installing EmuDeck

The EmuDeck app and its compatible emulators require some mandatory and optional tools items before getting started:

• The most important item you’ll need is a High-speed A2 Micro SD card or an external hard drive to keep the emulators separate from the Steam Deck’s internal SSD and keep it free for official Steam games. The Samsung EVO Plus and SanDisk Extreme Plus are good affordable SSD cards with solid performance for gaming.
• Legally owned PlayStation Portable ROMS.
• Using a keyboard and mouse in Steam Deck in Desktop Mode makes copying and transferring files easier by utilizing EmuDeck’s image search engine. However, you can use the trackpads and the built-in digital keyboard on the Steam Deck by pressing the Steam and the X buttons at the same time.

Activate Developer Mode On The Steam Deck

Activating Developer Mode on the Steam Deck can give you access to more features and customize the handheld to run plugins, emulators, and more. Use the following steps to activate Developer Mode.

• Press the Steam button.
• Highlight and open the System menu.
• From System Settings locate and toggle Enable Developer Mode to on.
• The Developer menu is now at the bottom of the left access panel.
• In the Developer menu, look for Miscellaneous.
• Switch on CEF Remote Debugging
• Press the Steam Button.
• Highlight Power and select Restart – you’ll need to restart the device not just the Steam service.

How To Install EmuDeck On The Steam Deck For PSP Games

Use the following steps to install the EmuDeck on the Steam Deck:

• Press the Steam button below the left trackpad.
• Select the Power option and switch to Desktop Mode. Connect a keyboard and mouse if you have one.
• Launch a browser like Firefox or Chrome and Download the EmuDeck program.
• Scroll down the page to locate the Download icon and double-click to launch the installer.
• Click on the Recommended Settings options and select Custom Install.
• On the EmuDeck menu, select the SD card image named Primary – this renames the SD card as Primary.
• In the next screen, you can select from a list of emulators. The emulators needed for PSP games are called Retroarch PPSI and PPSSPP. However, you can pick as many as you want.
• The Steam Rom Manager must be selected too as this is required for displaying games in the Steam library next to the official games purchased and downloaded from Steam.
• Keep clicking next until the option to enable the Configure CRT Shader for Classic 3D Games appears activate this feature to make retro games look better with EmuDeck if you decide to install 8 and 16-bit emulators.
• Then finalize the installation by clicking on Finish.

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How To Transfer ROM Files

• Click the Dolphin File Manager on the bottom left of the screen.

• Open the SD card labeled as Primary.
• Open the Emulation folder.
• Then select the ROMS folder.
• Open the folder labeled PSP.
• Then transfer the PSP ROMS into the empty PSP folder.

Adding Games To The Steam Library

With the PSP ROM files in the correct folders. It’s time to add the games to the Steam Deck library to play them in Gaming Mode. Use the following steps to add PSP games and their cover art to the Steam library in a Collections tab:

• Reopen the EmuDeck app in Desktop Mode.
• Select Steam Rom Manager from the left panel.
• Click Yes to launch the Steam Rom Manager – this shuts down the Steam app running in the background so the files can be added safely.
• Click Next on the Welcome to SRM page.
• Toggle the Parsers Off to clear and switch off all the emulators. We only need to focus on the PSP emulators.
• In the Parsers menu, highlight and click the two PSP emulators – Retroarch PPSI and PPSSPP.
• Then click Add Games and Parse on the next screen.
• The Steam Rom Manager will locate the PSP cover art.
• Select Save to Steam.

Fix Missing Artwork In Steam Rom Manager

The Steam Rom Manager can find the cover art for most games, but there may be instances where imported, older, or modded games can pull up the incorrect covers or show a blank frame. Use the following steps to fix and locate different artwork within the Steam Rom Manager:

• Click on Fix on the bottom left frame as shown in the above image.
• To find a game’s cover art type it into the Fix Artwork and Title search bar.

• Then select one of the game covers in the window below the search bar and click on it to highlight it in white. Scroll down for more cover options.
• Click on Save and close.

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Uploading Missing Artwork

There is a possibility that the Steam Rom Manager may not have any cover art available for the uploaded game. As a result, you’ll need to upload your own.

• With the Steam Deck in Desktop Mode open a browser and click on the images part of the search engine.
• Type in the game’s title followed by “cover” – for example, Persona 2 cover then search – then save the cover to the Pictures folder on the Steam Deck.
• Or, add a custom game cover and save it to the Pictures folder instead.
• Open EmuDeck and Steam Rom Manager.
• Instead of Fix, click on Upload.
• Locate your Pictures folder where the cover art has been saved and select it.
• If you’re happy with the new cover art for all your titles, select Save and Close.

With the artwork uploaded, follow the next steps to ensure the games are uploaded to the Steam library:

• Select Save to Steam to finalize.
• Wait for the batch notifications to finish and close the Steam Rom Manager.
• Switch back to Gaming Mode from the Desktop screen.
• Wait for the Steam Deck to boot in Gaming Mode.
• Press the Steam button to open the left panel menu and click on Library.
• Press R1 to get to the new Collections tab.

• The new list of PSP games will appear in the two PSP tabs.
• The PSP – Standalone PPSSPP emulator is the most reliable in testing.
• The games will launch from the Steam library like an official game.

Improve PSP game Performance by pressing the button with the three dots underneath the right trackpad. Open the Performance menu switch on Use per-game profile and increase the Frame Limit to 60 FPS (60 Hz).

Saving The Game

The emulator features a save-anywhere system which is vital for portable gaming. You can use the game’s regular saving method, but the emulated saves offer multiple save slots which can be useful for challenging titles. Use the following steps to activate the new save system:

• Use the left trackpad to bring up the digital panel.

• Move your thumb to the left corner
• Highlight the Save icon.
• A Tick will indicate the game has been saved.
• Move the left trackpad to the right corner and highlight the load icon to reload a save.
• It can be a bit fiddly using this save method and may take some getting used to with its slightly transparent display. So be sure to use the game’s official saving systems.

That’s everything players need to know to run PSP games on the Steam Deck, add artwork, and improve the performance of their game.

Valve Steam Deck

Dimensions

16 x 5 x 3 inches

Brand

Valve

Weight

3.54 pounds

Battery

2 Lithium Ion batteries required