net.retrodeck.retrodeck net.retrodeck.retrodeck.desktop RetroDECK Everything you need for emulation on Steam Deck Xargon https://retrodeck.net https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/issues http://discord.gg/Dz3szYsP8g https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/wiki/FAQs---Frequently-asked-questions https://www.patreon.com/RetroDECK https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/blob/main/res/logo.png?raw=true https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/blob/main/res/screenshots/screen01.jpeg?raw=true https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/blob/main/res/screenshots/screen02.jpeg?raw=true https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/blob/main/res/screenshots/screen03.jpeg?raw=true https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/blob/main/res/screenshots/screen04.jpeg?raw=true https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/blob/main/res/screenshots/screen05.jpeg?raw=true https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/blob/main/res/screenshots/screen06.jpeg?raw=true

RetroDECK brings an environment to catalog and play your retro games directly from SteamOS and it's tailored specifically for the Steam Deck. It's inspired by embedded emulation systems like AmberELEC, EmuELEC, CoreELEC, Lakka, and Batocera.

Powered by EmulationStation Desktop Edition, which uses RetroArch and other standalone emulators to allow you to import and play your favorite retro (and even not-so-retro) games in a tidy environment without flooding your Steam library. No other software is needed as everything it's already included!

NOTE: Albeit RetroDECK could possibily work on every distro, it's supported only on Steam Deck.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Start RetroDECK from the Desktop mode (first time only)
  • Follow the setup (read carefully!)
  • Add RetroDECK to your Steam Library
  • [OPTIONAL] Download Steam Grids with BoilR
  • Always start RetroDECK from Steam Library

For a better experience is suggested to use the official Steam Controller Config available under community configs in Steam

Known Issues:

  • PCSX2: due to its limitation, the standalone PCSX2 doesn't have any way to set the hotkeys, so no save and load state, no quit button. In order to quit press: STEAM -> PCSX2 -> (X) CLOSE WINDOW, be aware that the state is not automatically saved
  • As of this moment external controllers, local multiplayer in gamemode are not supported. Neither is running RetroDECK in desktop mode, we plan on adding the functionality in the future
IMPORTANT NOTE: At the moment the emulator configs are reset during every update, this was made because every version they may bring new configurations, please back them up if you did some manual configs. GPL-3.0 CC0-1.0 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.5.4b
  • Fix: PCSX2-QT is now looking for saves in the correct directory ~/retrodeck/saves/ps2/memcards and not in ~/retrodeck/saves/ps2/pcsx2/memcards
  • Updated RetroArch to v1.12.0
  • Updated PPSSPP (SA) to v1.13.2
  • Updated Yuzu to mainline-0-1220
  • Updated Citra (SA) to nightly-1802
  • Updated PCSX2-QT to nightly v1.7.3501
  • Updated Dolphin (SA) to latest on 31/10/2022
  • Updated Xemu to v0.7.71
  • Updated RPCS3 to latest on 31/10/2022
  • Updated Duckstation to latest on 31/10/2022
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.5.3b
  • Fixed inaccessible RetroArch shaders folder
  • Fixed PSP saving issue when using RetroArch core
  • Fixed ROM visibility for Dolphin when running standalone, which should address ability to use AR/Gecko codes
  • Changed default RPCS3 launch method to fix games not starting properly
  • Fixed PCSX2-QT autosave loading issue
  • Fixed RetroAchievements login on PCSX2-QT
  • Added Citra SA sysdata folder to RetroDECK BIOS folder
  • Added Yuzu save folders to RetroDECK saves folder
  • Made Citra standalone the default 3DS emulator
  • Progress window during emulator initialization where it can look like RetroDECK has crashed
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.5.2b
  • VERY IMPORTANT: We are moving your saves! This can take time on the first boot. If you miss some saves they are not gone. Please read more in the wiki.
  • Fixed Citra save migration folder
  • Fixed a bug where the videos were not played correctly in some cases
  • Fixed the Rewind tool
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.5.1b
  • VERY IMPORTANT: We are moving your saves! This can take time on the first boot. If you miss some saves they are not gone. Please read more in the wiki.
  • Fixed a bug where Yuzu was not compiled correctly
  • Updated Yuzu
  • New Logo and Theme
  • Two new themes added: Alekfull-NX-Light and Retrofix-Revisited
  • Updated ES-DE to 1.2.6
  • Implemented the first steps towards a universal Emulator Configuration Tool in the TOOLS menu
  • Ability to log into your RetroAchievements account under the TOOLS menu for RetroArch only (supported standalones coming soon)
  • Updated RetroArch and all the standalone emulators
  • Added several free assets/fonts for RetroArch, PPSSPP, XEMU and BlueMSX
  • Added a new DEFAULT Emulator for the PS2: PCSX2-QT (the former PCSX2 default emulator is now called "PCSX2 (Legacy)")
  • Changed the DEFAULT Emulator for the PSX: Swanstation (Libretro) Core
  • Added a new Standalone Emulator for the PSX: Duckstation
  • Enhanced XEMU (XBOX) experience
  • And more, for the complete patch notes please check the wiki...
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.5.0b
  • VERY IMPORTANT: We are moving your saves! This can take time on the first boot. If you miss some saves they are not gone. Please read more in the wiki.
  • New Logo and Theme
  • Two new themes added: Alekfull-NX-Light and Retrofix-Revisited
  • Updated ES-DE to 1.2.6
  • Implemented the first steps towards a universal Emulator Configuration Tool in the TOOLS menu
  • Ability to log into your RetroAchievements account under the TOOLS menu for RetroArch only (supported standalones coming soon)
  • Updated RetroArch and all the standalone emulators
  • Added several free assets/fonts for RetroArch, PPSSPP, XEMU and BlueMSX
  • Added a new DEFAULT Emulator for the PS2: PCSX2-QT (the former PCSX2 default emulator is now called "PCSX2 (Legacy)")
  • Changed the DEFAULT Emulator for the PSX: Swanstation (Libretro) Core
  • Added a new Standalone Emulator for the PSX: Duckstation
  • Enhanced XEMU (XBOX) experience
  • And more, for the complete patch notes please check the wiki...
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.4.5b
  • Fixed a bug where new symlinks were not created correctly and users couldn't scrape their games

Known Issues:

  • PCSX2: due to its limitation, the standalone PCSX2 doesn't have any way to set the hotkeys, so no save and load state, no quit button. In order to quit press: STEAM -> PCSX2 -> (X) CLOSE WINDOW, be aware that the state is not automatically saved
  • Due to a Steam limitation, external controllers and keyboard seems not to be working, expecially in the desktop mode
IMPORTANT NOTE: At the moment the emulator configs are reset during every update, this was made because every version they may bring new configurations, please back them up if you did some manual configs. https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.4.4b
  • Yuzu: Disabled shader caching as it was broken
  • Yuzu: Switched from vulkan to opengl as vulkan is experimental and it's not working correctly for the games majority, you can set vulkan by opening tuzu from Tools -> Start Yuzu
  • Yuzu: Edited Hotkeys (see wiki)
  • Yuzu: Increased performances
  • Yuzu: Fixed graphics and scaling
  • Yuzu: Fixed right control stick
  • PCSX2: Symlinked bios/pcsx folder in /bios to solve issue#63
  • Backend: Uploaded a test Steam Controller config, you can download it from community controller configs on Steam
  • Backend: Unhidden .themes and .downloaded_media folders
  • Backend: Moved the lockfile in the internal folders
  • Backend: General code cleanup.

Known Issues:

  • PCSX2: due to its limitation, the standalone PCSX2 doesn't have any way to set the hotkeys, so no save and load state, no quit button. In order to quit press: STEAM -> PCSX2 -> (X) CLOSE WINDOW, be aware that the state is not automatically saved
  • Due to a Steam limitation, external controllers and keyboard seems not to be working, expecially in the desktop mode
IMPORTANT NOTE: At the moment the emulator configs are reset during every update, this was made because every version they may bring new configurations, please back them up if you did some manual configs. https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.4.3b

Emulators:

  • Updated all the emulators at the latest available version.

Backend:

  • Manifest code cleanup.

Known Issues:

  • PCSX2: due to its limitation, the standalone PCSX2 doesn't have any way to set the hotkeys, so no save and load state, no quit button. In order to quit press: STEAM -> PCSX2 -> (X) CLOSE WINDOW, be aware that the state is not automatically saved
  • Due to a Steam limitation, external controllers and keyboard seems not to be working, expecially in the desktop mode

IMPORTANT NOTE: At the moment the emulator configs are reset during every update, this was made because every version they may bring new configurations, please back them up if you did some manual configs.

https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.4.2b

Emulators:

  • Updated all the emulators at the latest available version.
  • DOLPHIN (SA): Fixed a bug where Dolphin couldn't be properly configured. If it's still misconfigured please run `flatpak run net.retrodeck.retrodeck --reset-sa` in order to reset all the standalone emulators, including Dolphin.
  • CITRA (SA): Reconfigured controls and hotkeys.
  • MELONDS (SA): Reconfigured controls.
  • GAMBATTE (LIBRETRO): Added GB colorization.
  • RETROARCH (LIBRETRO): Tweaked some configs and fixed some overlapping hotkeys (FPS was same as Show Menu action).

Backend:

  • Removed some broken tools that will be reintroduced once fixed, including the roms moving tool.
  • Updated ES-DE configs (es_find_rules, es_settings, es_systems).
  • Manifest trimmend and general code cleanup.

Known Issues:

  • PCSX2: due to its limitation, the standalone PCSX2 doesn't have any way to set the hotkeys, so no save and load state, no quit button. In order to quit press: STEAM -> PCSX2 -> (X) CLOSE WINDOW, be aware that the state is not automatically saved
  • Due to a Steam limitation, external controllers and keyboard seems not to be working, expecially in the desktop mode

IMPORTANT NOTE: At the moment the emulator configs are reset during every update, this was made because every version they may bring new configurations, please back them up if you did some manual configs.

https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.4.1b

Emulators:

  • Tweaked various emulator configs
  • The emulators that was showing a small viewport like N64, Wii, GC, and Dreamcast are now showing a more appropriate viewport
  • Fixed home path in MelonDS (SA)

Frontend:

  • Updated ES-DE to 1.2.4
  • RetroDECK doesn't open ES-DE anymore during the first setup, almost everything is now automated: HURRAY!
  • Now a custom roms path can be selected if SD Card is selected and the SD Card is not found in the default path

Backend:

  • Fixed a bug where the folders where not symlinked correclty

Known Issues:

  • PCSX2: due to its limitation, the standalone PCSX2 doesn't have any way to set the hotkeys, so no save and load state, no quit button. In order to quit press: STEAM -> PCSX2 -> (X) CLOSE WINDOW, be aware that the state is not automatically saved
  • External controllers and keyboard seems not to be working, expecially in the desktop mode
  • Yuzu makes RetroDECK freeze in some situations, like if the rom is a bad dump

IMPORTANT NOTE: At the moment the emulator configs are reset during every update, this was made because every version they may bring new configurations, please back them up if you did some manual configs.

https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.4.0b

Emulators:

  • Yuzu was broken: fixed
  • Dolphin-libretro is now the default emulator as Dolphin (Standalone) seems to be broken

New Standalone emulators:

  • RPCS3
  • PPSSPP
  • CITRA
  • MelonDS
  • PICO-8

Tools:

  • Added tools to start each standalone emulator
  • Added a tool to start PICO-8's SPLORE
  • Fixed the Move ROMs tool (probably)

Frontend:

  • Updated ES-DE to 1.2.4 and redirected to the new repo
  • Updated Art-Book theme to fix the mising images for n3ds and pico-8
  • Now The quit button is showing "Quit RetroDECK"
  • Added RetroDECK version in the ES-DE main menu

Backend:

  • Wrapper complete rewrite, now it's faster, tidier, solid
  • Wrapper: user data is now backup and moved when managing the internal folders
  • Introduced versioning: now the version is visible by CLI or in the options menu
  • Rewrote cooker.yml workflow as the old one was no more useful for the scope
  • Removed the bios/bios folder that in some situations is mistakenly created
  • Logs are now into ~/retrodeck/.logs however they must be improved
  • Moved the scraped data folder into ~/retrodeck/.downloaded_data for backup purposes and to avoid data loss when resetting RetroDECK
  • Moved themes folder in ~/retrodeck/.downloaded_data, same as above
  • Updated es_find_rules.xml
  • Updated es_systems.xml: some default emulators are changed, if you cannot load the game is maybe because of that, you can still choose the former emulator from the list
  • Added post-install scripts, now deleting ~/retrodeck/.log or ~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck is no more needed (hopefully)
  • Added CLI arguments, run flatpak run net.retrodeck.retrodeck -h for more info
  • Added a CLI option to reset RetroDECK --reset
  • Replaced Kdialog with Zenity
  • Added manifest: this should fix the Discover bug

Known Issues:

  • Controller is not configured for most of the standalone emulators, I will configure them when I will get my Steam Deck (ETA mid June)
  • External controllers seems not to be working
  • Yuzu makes RetroDECK freeze in some situations, like if the rom is a bad dump

IMPORTANT NOTE: At the moment the emulator configs are reset during every update, this was made because every version may bring new configurations, please back them up if you did some manual configs.

https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.3.1b
  • Fixed Dolphin: now Dolphin (Standalone) is the default emulator for GC/Wii.
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.3.0b
  • Migrated everything from the old domain com.xargon.retrodeck to net.retrodeck.retrodeck to be aligned with flathub standards
  • Fixed and enhanced all the tools
  • Added 'Start Yuzu' tool
  • Swapped a/b buttons on RetroArch
  • Tweaked some RetroArch configs
  • Fixed RetroArch Hotkeys
  • Added standalone PCSX2
  • Added standalone XEMU
  • Added standalone DOLPHIN
  • Reconfigured standalone YUZU
  • Updated EmulationStation Desktop Edition
  • Updated the default Art Book DE theme
  • Updated various backend scripts
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.2.0b
  • Migrated everything from the old building script to a full fledged yaml in order to being published on Discover
  • Fixed SD Card issues
  • Improved installer script
  • Tweaked RetroArch configs
  • Added tool for relocating ROMs location from/to internal to/from external
  • Added PCSX2 and Yuzu emulators (but not yet integrated in ES-DE)
  • Created cooker channel, more info in Discord and on RetroDECK-cooker on GitHub
  • Cooker will auto build when a change is pushed/PRed
  • Same as above with main
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.1.1b
  • Removed some debug stuff (press any key to continue)
  • Fixed ROMs folder
  • Fixed SD Card logic
  • Desktop file improved
  • Improved installer messages
 https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK/releases/tag/0.1.0b
  • Pick up and play, just put your roms and bios in /retrodeck/roms and /retrodeck/bios folders.
  • SD Card support
  • Fancy interface provided by ES-DE and Art-Book-Next-DE
  • All retro systems available until PS2
  • Auto load/save states
  • Scraping
  • RetroAchievements (must be manually set)