How to Play DS and 3DS Games on Steam Deck

The dual-screen Nintendo handhelds are some of the most interesting systems to emulate, and the Steam Deck's big display gives them room to breathe. DS games run beautifully through melonDS, and 3DS games run well through the modern Citra successor, with both screens laid out however you like. This guide covers EmuDeck setup, adding games to Steam, and the screen layouts that make dual-screen play comfortable. We frame everything around playing games you already own.

Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Anbernic affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

The Dual-Screen Challenge, Solved

The DS and 3DS used two screens, one of them a touchscreen. On the Steam Deck you can stack the screens, place them side by side, or focus on one, and the Deck's own touchscreen handles stylus input. New to Deck emulation? Start with our Steam Deck retro gaming guide.

What You Need

• A Steam Deck, ideally the Steam Deck OLED
• A microSD card for storage, optional
• Your own DS and 3DS game files
• A DS or 3DS BIOS where required, from hardware you own
• About 25 minutes

Step 1: Install EmuDeck

1. Switch to Desktop Mode from the power menu.
2. Download EmuDeck from its official site and run the installer.
3. Use Easy Mode, which installs melonDS and the 3DS emulator.

See our EmuDeck Steam Deck setup guide and our melonDS setup guide for background.

Step 2: Add Your Games and Any BIOS

1. In Desktop Mode, open the file manager.
2. Place any required BIOS files, dumped from your own hardware, in the EmuDeck BIOS folder.
3. Go to the Emulation folder, then ROMs, then the NDS folder for DS games and the 3DS folder for 3DS games. Copy your files in.

Step 3: Add Games to Steam

1. Open Steam ROM Manager from EmuDeck.
2. Enable the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS parsers and let it scan.
3. Preview the box art and save to Steam.

Step 4: Best Dual-Screen Layouts

This is what makes dual-screen play comfortable on a single display.

• Stacked, top larger. Good default for most games, with the action screen big and the map or menu below.
• Side by side. Great for games where both screens show important action, and it uses the Deck's wide display well.
• Single screen focus. For games where the second screen is just a map, you can shrink or hide it.
• Touch input. Use the Deck's touchscreen for stylus games, or map the trackpad and triggers for touch actions.

Both melonDS and the 3DS emulator let you set layouts per game, so dial in each title.

Step 5: 3DS Performance Notes

3DS is the heavier of the two systems. The Deck handles most of the library well.

• Internal resolution. A modest bump sharpens the image. Push higher on lighter games.
• Per-game tuning. Demanding 3DS titles may want native resolution for full speed.
• Frame limiting. Keep speed locked to the game's intended rate.

DS games run easily, so you can prioritize layout and comfort there.

Controller Setup

• Map face buttons and shoulders normally, and save a profile per system.
• For stylus-heavy DS games, the Deck touchscreen is the most natural input.
• For docked play, a Bluetooth pad like the
  8BitDo controller(affiliate link)
  works, though touch games are best handheld.

Tips for the Best Experience

• Set a layout per game, since needs vary widely between titles.
• Use save states, but keep in-game saves too.
• For DS games with heavy stylus use, play in handheld mode to reach the touchscreen.

The Bottom Line

The Steam Deck makes dual-screen emulation comfortable thanks to its big display and touchscreen. Install EmuDeck, add your DS and 3DS games and any BIOS you own, send them to Steam, and pick a layout per game. For more systems, see our PSP on Steam Deck and GameCube on Steam Deck guides.