This is a common question. I don't have a Steam Deck, so I can't verify instructions. It would be great if anyone installing on Steam Deck could update these instructions with more details.

On the Discord, a user explained it like this (paraphrased):

Quote

"The easiest way was to go to the Steam store and download RetroArch and then making sure you download all the DLC ("Mesen S" = Super Nintendo, "Genesis Plus GX" = Genesis/Megadrive).

 

Then on desktop computer, go to the NHL94 page and download the rom.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e67CmvKyhc"

Now.. I'm a bit confused here because the video shows Steam on Windows, not Steam Deck.

But I think the idea of "install retroarch and all the DLC" translates.

Here is a different guide, "Full RetroArch Desktop on Steam Deck" and it includes how to access files on the Steam Deck (so you could place the ROM somewhere)

 

honestly... all you 94 league guy should get those cheap handheld gaming systems from dhgate/aliexpress/temu and re-sell them on here with your league roms installed on them =P     have a central official nhl94 server login ip, and have 100s of people in lobby looking to play someone

Edited August 21, 20242 yr by 77

Yeah I've been wanting to create instructions for these random devices for a while.

The devices need to support RetroArch, which probably rules out the cheapest devices.

I took a stab at trying Windows-vs-Android, but I couldn't get it working so far (not that I spent a ton of time on it). You need the 'cores' to match. There's an extra problem that we use a custom Genesis core because the maintainers of the official version refuse to fix a bug in it that prevents cross-platform play, because it would break some people's savestates.

Also.. can't wait to play league games against someone on their "ONKOL Genesis Megadrive SNES Gameboy Handheld Supports 2000 Games with Wifi etc etc" random $39.99 device from Amazon, while playing on McDonald's wi-fi... on Relay Server because of course no one using this kind of device is going to know how to port-forward

I have a Steam Deck and installing the vast majority emulators is pretty straightforward with EmuDeck.  EmuDeck is installed in Steam Deck's Desktop mode (a Linux environment) and then you can either:

• use a frontend emulation manager you prefer (RetroArch or Emulation Station (ES-DE) are the main ones; better for larger libraries of ROMs), or
• use Steam ROM Manager to directly add games to your Steam library (best for smaller libraries of ROMs)
• (or, if you're feeling silly like me, you can do all of it! but there really is no need)

After you've made that choice, you'll download your ROM(s) and put them in the default folder for the system you are emulating.  Once you return to Gaming Mode (i.e. the Steam Deck's SteamOS interface), either your game(s) or the frontend(s) will be listed in your library.  If you opted to use the Steam ROM Manager, selecting the game will automatically whisk you away to the preferred emulator to immediately start playing.  If you want to change any settings (controls, sound, video, etc.), the way to do so depends on what emulator or frontend is actually running your ROM; for my purposes, RetroArch is usually the emulation manager I use, so pressing the left and right thumbsticks (e.g. L3 and R3) brings up the UI.

This is basically the quick and dirty explanation for emulation on the Steam Deck.  There's a lot to explore and I certainly don't have all of the answers, but it's definitely no more complicated a process than normal.

Edited August 23, 20242 yr by The Dopefish