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The original Xbox was a powerhouse gaming console at the time of its release. Multiplatform games looked better on Microsoft’s hardware than on the PlayStation 2 and GameCube, and it was home to some classic titles. Be it theHaloseries or games that required a hard drive and were developed for the PC, such asStar Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicandThe Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind.
The machine has a worthwhile library with many titles lacking backward compatibility.Xboxusers can utilize the power of aSteam Deckwith the EmuDeck program to play their favorite Xbox games.
Updated June 06, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn:Decky Loader now requires a sudo password to bypass the Steam Deck’s admin systems to install third-party apps. This guide is updated to include the steps for creating a new sudo password so you can install Decky and other third-party programs.
Activate Developer Mode
Transfer BIOS And ROMS To Their Correct Folders
The trickiest aspect of this guide is to ensure the correct BIOS files are placed into their folders. Without them, the Xemu emulator won’t detect the games and they’ll refuse to run.
Place The BIOS Into The Correct Folders
You will need to obtain the BIOS files from your Xbox, but the file names you will need and the root file locations are listed in the table below.
mpcx_1.0.bin
and Complex_4627.bin
and Complex_4626v1.bin
xbox_hdd.qcow2
Primary>Emulation>Storage>Xemu
Place The ISO Files Into The Correct Folders
TheXbox gamesare .iso files that must be placed in the correct folder so that the Steam ROM Manager can recognize them and add them to the Steam Deck library.
.iso
Primary>Emulation>ROMs>Xbox
Adding Xbox Games To The Steam Library
With all the BIOS and files in place, it’s time to use the Steam ROM Manager to make yourfavorite Xbox gamespart of the Steam library.
Fixing And Correcting Xbox Artwork In SRM
Fix Missing Artwork
There are occasions when the Steam ROM Manager may not locate the correct cover art for your Xbox games. Use the following steps to fix the cover art.
Uploading Missing Artwork
You can also upload your own artwork if the Steam ROM Manager isn’t detecting the covers.
Playing Xbox Games On The Steam Deck
With BIOS, Iso files, and the covers in place you may nowswitch back to the Steam Deck’s Gaming modeand play yourXbox titlesfrom the library.
Certain Xbox games may experience compatibility issues with the Xemu emulator. Be sure to visit the Xemu website and refer to the compatibility page for an up-to-date list.
Emulation Station
Another way to run Xbox original games onthe Steam Deckis by using the Emulation Station program instead. Use the following steps to play games with the Emulation Station:
Install Decky Loader For The Steam Deck
Xbox games can be trickier to run compared to other retro titles, but thanks to the Decky Loader app and the Power Tools plugin you can get even better performance out ofgames likeKnights of the Old RepublicandJade Empire. Use the following steps to get them installed on your Steam Deck.
Create A Sudo Password
The Decky Loader program may require yoursudo password.To set this up use the following steps:
Install Power Tools
Once the Decky Loader program is installed, you may install Power Tools through the Decky Loader application with the following instructions.
Power Tools Settings For Emulated Games
Fixing Decky Loader After A Steam Deck Update
With major Steam Deck updates causing conflicts with third-party applications like Decky Loader, you should use the recommended fix below to get your apps and plugins back as they should be.
Games will perform better with these settings. There may be an occasional drop between transitional screens, but Steam Deck users will get improved performance overall. That’s everything required to play and run Xbox games on the Steam Deck using the library or Emulation Station.
