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When it comes to emulation, there are two tools that I tend to gravitate to, and RetroDECK is one of them. This is an all-in-one application that can be downloaded from the Discover Store and includes several different emulators and engines so that we can enjoy classic games with ease. Now, the new 0.9.0b update has just been released, adding a ton of great new features, new engines, new emulators, and more. This is a huge update for the program, so let's dive into the changes.

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Since we are talking about emulation, I also want to mention that we do not condone piracy in any way, shape, or form. Emulation itself is legal, but downloading copies of games you don't own is something we do not condone.

SteamRomManager Is Finally Here

One of the biggest tools that have been used for emulation is SteamRomManager. This is a program that automatically detects your downloaded emulated games and allows you to import them as non-Steam games directly to your library with custom artwork. It's extremely helpful for those who want direct access to their emulated games instead of going through a frontend like ES-DE (which is bundled with RetroDECK). And now, it is officially included within RetroDECK and supported!

We also have built-in Steam Sync support, which helps sync your games to Steam. I am genuinely a bit surprised it took so long to be included, but better late than never!

PortMaster and Ruffle Join The Lineup

The other two biggest changes to this update come in the form of a new feature and new emulator: PortMaster and Ruffle. PortMaster is a tool that is used to download and install ports for games that were made specifically for Linux. The tool is especially useful since some games may need specific libraries, so the ports that are on PortMaster have their own containers that include everything you would need to run these games.

On the other hand, Ruffle is a Flash Player emulator. Remember those fantastic Flash games you used to play on the computer 15-20 years ago? Well, this emulator should be able to run them with ease. I have fond memories of different flash games I used to play on AddictingGames and Kongregate, so I look forward to diving into this emulator to relive the glory days.

Manifest and Framework Efficiency Improvements

Just because the backend isn't seen, doesn't mean it isn't important, and the RetroDECK team made some huge improvements here. The application size has been reduced by 40%, to make headway for some of the new features, the build time has been decreased, they are now using a modular build approach for components, and there has been a restructure for folders and paths.

There have also been some neat changes to get ready for the new configurator the team is making in Godot, which looks amazing.

You Can Now Open With RetroDECK Directly With RetroENGINE

If you have a downloaded game, you can now launch it directly with RetroDECK as an option thanks to RetroENGINE. There are multiple ways to use this. If you double click a file that is in the correct folder for its emulator, it will just automatically launch with the corresponding emulator. If it isn't in the correct folder, launching it will give you choices for systems that can be used with the file, and you can choose from them.

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It's a small change, but if you are on Desktop mode and want to just double-click on emulated game files directly instead of going through Steam or ES-DE, this is going to be perfect for you.

Emulator/Engine Updates, Configurator Changes, and New Website

Outside of those, we have a bunch of updates for a plethora of different components. The RetroDECK Classic Configurator has a better BIOS Checker (and only 1 instead of 2 now), RetroDECK announced their new website, and there's a brand new ES-DE theme made specifically for RetroDECK users that includes their iconic colors and some old-school font.

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There have also been updates to different emulators and components like ES-DE, RetroArch, Duckstation, RPCS3, and GZDoom. A lot of them are small changes, but they all add up nicely too.

Those are the highlights of the new 0.9.0b update for RetroDECK. It includes some great new features, and I can't wait to see what else the team has in store for us down the road.

You can download and try RetroDECK for yourself by searching for it on the Discover Store on your Steam Deck.

If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of the content on SteamDeckHQ! We have a wide variety of game reviews and news that will help your gaming experience. Whether you're looking for newstips and tutorialsgame settings and reviews, or just want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, we've got you covered!

Noah Kupetsky
A lover of gaming since 4, Noah has grown up with a love and passion for the industry. From there, he started to travel a lot and develop a joy for handheld and PC gaming. When the Steam Deck released, it just all clicked.
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