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TUTORIALS / STEAM DECK

Essential Steam Deck Mods

DIFFICULTY: BEGINNER UPDATED: DECEMBER 2025

>> INTRODUCTION

🇩🇪 Deutsche Version
Steam Deck Mods

🎮 WHY MOD YOUR STEAM DECK?

The Steam Deck is a full Linux PC in handheld form. With the right mods and plugins you can:

• Optimize performance
• Emulate retro games
• Fully customize the UI
• Play games from Epic, GOG etc.

>> ESSENTIAL TOOLS

🔌

Decky Loader

The Plugin Framework for Steam Deck

Decky Loader is THE foundation for all Steam Deck modifications. It integrates directly into the Quick Access menu (⋯ button) and enables installation of community plugins.

📥 INSTALLATION:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Enable Developer Mode
  2. Switch to Desktop Mode (Power → Switch to Desktop)
  3. Open browser and go to: decky.xyz
  4. Click Download and run the script
  5. Restart your Steam Deck
🔗 decky.xyz
🕹️

EmuDeck

All-in-one Emulator Setup

EmuDeck installs and configures all major emulators automatically: RetroArch, Dolphin, PCSX2, RPCS3, Yuzu, Ryujinx and many more.

✅ FEATURES:

  • • Automatic emulator configuration
  • • Hotkey setup for all emulators
  • • Bezels and shaders pre-installed
  • • EmuDeck Compressor (saves storage)
  • • Steam ROM Manager integration

⚠️ IMPORTANT:

  • • You need your own BIOS files
  • • ROMs not included
  • • ~10GB free storage recommended
  • • SD card recommended for ROMs
🔗 emudeck.com
❄️

CryoUtilities

Performance Optimization

CryoUtilities optimizes your Steam Deck for maximum performance. It adjusts VRAM allocation, swap size and other system settings.

🚀 BENEFITS:

  • • 4-8 GB more usable VRAM for games
  • • Improved swap performance
  • • Reduced stuttering in games
  • • One-click optimization
🔗 GitHub

>> BEST DECKY PLUGINS

After installing Decky Loader, you can install these plugins directly from the Quick Access menu.

🎨

CSS Loader

Themes for Steam Deck UI. Hundreds of community themes available.

CUSTOMIZATION
🖼️

SteamGridDB

Custom artwork for all games. Covers, banners, logos and more.

ARTWORK
⚡

PowerTools

Advanced hardware control: CPU threads, GPU clocks, TDP limits.

PERFORMANCE
🏷️

ProtonDB Badges

Shows ProtonDB ratings directly in your library.

COMPATIBILITY
🎬

Animation Changer

Custom boot and suspend animations. GameCube, PS1, etc.

CUSTOMIZATION
⏱️

HowLongToBeat

Shows playtime estimates for every game.

INFO
🔊

Audio Loader

Custom UI sounds and background music. PS2, Wii themes etc.

AUDIO
🌈

VibrantDeck

Improves color saturation on the LCD display.

DISPLAY
🧹

Storage Cleaner

Deletes old shader caches and remnants of uninstalled games.

STORAGE
🎁

Junk-Store

Epic Games Store integration without separate launcher.

LAUNCHER

>> OTHER USEFUL TOOLS

🍷

ProtonGE

Custom Proton version with better compatibility for many games.

GitHub
🦸

Heroic Games Launcher

Launcher for Epic Games, GOG and Amazon Games.

Website
📦

Steam ROM Manager

Adds ROMs as shortcuts to your Steam library.

GitHub
🎮

BoilR

Automatically adds non-Steam games to your library.

GitHub

>> QUICK START GUIDE

🚀 Recommended Order for Beginners:

  1. Install Decky Loader (foundation for everything)
  2. Run CryoUtilities (instant performance boost)
  3. CSS Loader + themes of your choice
  4. EmuDeck if you want to emulate retro games
  5. Additional Decky plugins as needed

>> CONCLUSION

With these mods you'll transform your Steam Deck into the ultimate gaming machine! Most mods are easy to install and completely free.

Happy Modding! 🎮