So, What Else Can You Do With a Steam Deck?

2024-03-08 Update: added Chiaki, how cool is that?
2024-10-10 Update: added XBPlay, like Chiaki but for Xbox!

I finally caved and got myself a Steam Deck (one of the shiny new OLED ones even!) and being pathologically unable to just leave things as-is, it took about a day before I started to wonder what else you can do with one beyond just playing Steam games. Quite a bit actually!

• Get a dock/USB-C hub and Use It As a Portable Desktop Computer
  • Obviously not the most convenient operation here, but Desktop mode works as advertised if that’s your jam.
• Install Discord and Chat While you Play
  • Grab it from the Discovery Store, right click and add to Steam and you’re good to go!
• Install Emulators and Play ROMs With EmuDeck
  • It’s amazing how slick this script is. It will even add your ROMs to your steam library so you can search for and launch them just like any other game.
• Install All Sorts of Crazy Plugins with Decky
  • Too many plugins to list here, but I particularly like SteamGridDB which lets you update the images for your games – particularly useful to add images to non-steam games.
• Install Other, Non-Steam Game Launchers & Games
  • The Non-SteamLaunchers-On-Steam-Deck script will take care of this for you automatically. It can even make shortcuts to popular streaming sites too.
  • Alternatively, you can install the Heroic Launcher for Epic/GOG/Amazon titles.
  • We may have an even better option in the future when the Unified Linux Wine Game Launcher gets going. Exciting stuff!
• Install Proton-GE for Extra Compatibility
  • Proton-GE is a community developed fork that contains extra fixes that may make some games run better. You can get it from the Non-SteamLaunchers script as well.
• Even Install Freaking Android Apps On It?!? Yeah sure, why not, go crazy!
  • If you really want to, Waydroid has you covered.
• Install Minecraft Java Edition with Steam Deck Controller Support
  • There’s a lovely Linux Minecraft launcher called Prism which contains a mod pack aptly titled “Fabulously Optimized mod pack” with great Steam Deck controller support.
• Install Linux Native Fan Ports of Classic Games
  • I am constantly amazed by all of the reverse-engineered (or reconstructed from scratch!) fan ports of games. If they have a Linux version then there’s a good chance they should work on your steam deck. Install them in desktop mode, and right click on the executable and select “Add to Steam” and you should be good to go!
  • Some of my favorites include Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Jedi Academy, Jazz Jackrabbit 2, and DOOM.
• Install Mods!
  • Obviously the steps to do so will vary per game, but here’s some instructions for Stardew Valley.
• Install Chiaki4Deck and Stream your PS4/PS5 to Your Deck
  • Chiaki is an open source re-implementation of Sony’s remote play software that works on Linux. Someone made a special version just for the Steam Deck and it works great!
• Install XBPlay and Stream your Series X/S to Your Deck
  • No need to feel left out if you own an Xbox! I’ve just learned that a similar tool exists for team green. Unfortunately this one costs $7 USD and I haven’t tried it myself, but the reviews on Stema are good!

That’s everything I’ve found. Is there anything cool I’ve missed? Let me know!