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ThePlayStation 3was an excellent console with amazing exclusives that still look stunning even by today’s standards, withgames likeUncharted, theResistancetrilogy, and more being fine examples. However, it was a notoriously challenging system to develop games for.
The PS3’s complexity extends to emulation but is made easier with the RPCS3 emulator running on theSteam Deck. The emulator isn’t perfect, but it can run popular PS3 games on the Steam Deck with the correct settings. Below is the easiest and most reliable method ofplaying PS3 games on the Steam Deck.
Updated May 24, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:The Decky Loader program now requires a sudo password before being installed. A sudo password gives the user admin privileges with Steam Deck’s OS, and creating one will allow you to install other third-party apps via the Steam Deck’s Desktop Mode. Additionally, the EmuDeck program includes an option to sync with your Decky Loader program for ease of use, and this also requires a Sudo password. As such, this guide has been updated to include the steps for creating a sudo password.
Before Installing EmuDeck On The Steam Deck
The best way to run emulation programs on the Steam Deck is by installing the EmuDeck program. To ensure a smooth installation, you will need to gather specific tools and items. This preparation will help you avoid errors and successfully run PS3 games on the Steam Deck:
Activate Developer Mode
Activating Developer Mode on the Steam Deck will ensure that emulated games and associated plugins and programs like Decky Loader and EmuDeck run without issue on Valve’s handheld.
Install EmuDeck On The Steam Deck
There are alternative methods to run the PS3 emulator on the Steam Deck, but using EmuDeck makes the process easier, allowing you to install andadd more emulators on the handheld device. Follow these steps to install EmuDeck:
Controller Set Up
Adding PS3 Games To Steam Deck Library
With everything set up for the PS3 games, you’ll want them to appear on your Steam Deck library so you can access and play them in Gaming Mode. Use the following steps to add PS3 games to the Steam OS:
Before adding PS3 games to the Steam Deck, it’s beneficial to check their compatibility with the emulator. As such, you should checkthe RPCS3 compatibility listbefore taking the time to add ROMS to the Steam Deck.
Fix Missing Artwork In EmuDeck
There may be some rare occasions where the Steam Rom Manager won’t be able to find the cover art for the PS3 titles. The following steps can be used to fix and upload missing artwork:
You can upload your custom artwork or use downloaded cover art in the Steam Rom Manager and add it to the Steam library:
Running The PS3 Games On The Steam Deck
With the games and artwork in place, it’s time to locate the PS3 games and play them on the Steam Deck.
Fix Slowdown For PS3 Games
Some PS3 games may encounter stuttering and slowdown. This can be fixed with some tweaking to the settings:
That’s what gamers need to know to run PlayStation 3 games on the Steam Deck. However, it’s important to note that certain games may encounter issues and cause the emulator to crash. Over time, as the shaders are added, the games' performance will improve with continued play. However, players should still expect to encounter the notification a lot as the game loads new areas, especially inopen-world games likeGrand Theft Auto.
Install Decky Loader On The Steam Deck
In addition to the settings above, you may improve the performance of your PlayStation games by installingthe Decky Loader program and Power Tools plugin. Decky Loader enables the installation of plugins, like Power Tools and others, to enhance your experience with the Deck. Follow these steps to install the program and the plugin and adjust the Power Tools settings for performance:
Connect a wireless or wired keyboard and mouse to the Steam Deck. Alternatively, you can utilize the Steam Deck’s onscreen keyboard by pressing the Steam and the X buttons at the same time as well as the trackpads.
Create A Sudo Password
The Decky Loader program may require your sudo password. To set it up, use the following steps:
