EmuDeck is now available for Windows in a public beta, and the SteamOS build received an update bringing a Decky Loader plugin.
EmuDeck users rejoice — we got a sizeable update for the exceptional emulation software package.
This update sees the first public beta for the Windows version of EmuDeck now released into the world for us all to use — this Windows release has previously been locked behind a (very reasonable) Patreon membership.
However, there is no feature parity with the SteamOS version just yet. The developer team is still actively working on the Windows version with some exclusive features that are still being tested in their early access builds, such as CloudSync for syncing games between different EmuDeck installations and BootMode, a method to make your Windows PC behave more like a Steam Deck.
If you decide to commit to EmuDeck, having never used it before, it's incredibly simple. You download it, and then you get to choose what hardware you're using, and it'll shape itself around that decision, making it one of the most user-friendly methods of emulation available at the moment. It'll even let you know if there are any conflicts in your choices as you go through the process.
You can then dictate the resolution you want for various platforms, too, which is excellent if you want a more tailored feel to everything you'll be playing on it. On top of that, the Steam Deck version also received an update with an official Decky Loader plugin already available on the Deck Store — and if you don't know what that is, you can learn how to install DeckyLoader and more in our handy guide. The integration offered here makes handling hotkeys along with EmuDeck quick settings a whole lot faster and easier to get to.
EmuDeck is also teasing a new UI tailored to each system it is running on: SteamOS, Linux, ChimeraOS, Windows and... macOS (public beta coming soon! hint hint)
The new UI for the different EmuDeck versions. (You can click the images.)
Additionally, developer dragoonDorise has added a new frontend, Pegasus, as an alternative to EmulationStation or your Steam Library. The developer is also working on a way to parse your Pegasus games using Steam Rom Manager, but that feature is currently still in development and is planned to be released later.
The new Pegasus frontend
EmuDeck has also received a "Feeds" feature, which allows you to easily add your custom homebrew games to the Store so you can migrate them to your EmuDeck installation. We'll post a guide on how to add feeds to EmuDeck soon.
It's worth noting that while EmuDeck deals with all things emulation, they're not fans of piracy. We interviewed them back in March of this year to discuss all sorts of things around that, and you can read that if you're feeling inquisitive.
Chris Brandrick
We're excited for more people to get their hands on these excellent emulation tools, and the Windows version is very solid (we've been testing it for a while now). This release also makes the software project a little more future-proofed, what with more Windows handhelds hitting the market (like the AYANEO Air 1S, Lenovo Legion Go, and ROG Ally) at an increasingly impressive pace.
We still like the Steam Deck for emulation, but updates like this help other handhelds stack up.
