Steam Deck, the new portable console from Valve, can apparently also be used to emulate older console systems with certain apps and programs.
Valve’s Steam Deck can run console games from past generations thanks to an easy-to-access emulator. This option adds even more fan-favorite games from the PS2, GameCube, Super Nintendo, and other older systems on top of the already extensive library of compatible PC titles available on Valve’s handheld console.
The Steam Deck is essentially a portable PC, and an impressive one at that, sporting enough power and performance to run brand new AAA games, with Steam’s compatibility listing boasting that it can run FromSoftware’s latest, Elden Ring, which shared a release date with the Steam Deck. PC Gamers can access their Steam library via the Steam Deck UI, which will also be replacing the Big Picture mode seen in one of Valve’s previous hardware endeavors, the Steam Link. SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system, and therefore at the core of the Steam Deck lies a Linux computer.
In an article from PC Gamer, the writer outlines a simple method to get gaming emulation on the Steam Deck for those who might not be used to Linux or are wary of tampering with their operating systems. All Steam Deck users need to do is hold down the power button until it brings up a “Switch to desktop” option, and from there the desktop comes with a pre-installed app store much like the ones found on macOS or Windows. But unlike the aforementioned app stores, everything on the Steam Deck’s app store is free. The app he recommended is called Discover and once installed will be pinned to the taskbar for easy access to install the individual console emulators.
Valve has already been open about the option to customize the Steam Deck in their pre-release announcements, allowing users to install other operating systems such as Windows onto the device, or load up other games launchers such as the Epic Games store, offering up a whole realm of possibilities. Of course, for those who don’t want to customize their brand new device, there are emulators such as the open-source RetroArch, which recently came out of its playtest state and is free to download, available on Steam.
The Steam Deck finally launched on February 25 after some delays. However, due to the reservation system set out by Valve and the way they seem to be releasing it in waves, it may be a while yet before some get to play it themselves. Those who are still waiting seem to be in for a treat when their Steam Decks do eventually arrive though, as the general consensus from critics and gamers who have been fortunate enough to get a Steam Deck at launch is that it certainly lives up to the hype and offers up a wide range of handheld gaming possibilities.
Source: PC Gamer
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