Modder turns Steam Deck into the ultimate Game Boy

A modder has transformed the Valve handheld, Steam Deck, into the ultimate retro gaming device by combining it with a Game Boy Operator.

The Steam Deck stands out among other gaming handhelds not only for its ability to play Steam games on the go, but also for its convenience in accessing a variety of other gaming platforms. With the option to play Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, and retro games from EmuDeck, Valve’s iconic handheld offers a diverse range of gaming experiences.

The EmuDeck allows users to play a vast selection of retro games on the handheld. However, the experience may not be as authentic as playing on the original console. Fortunately, a modder has recently developed a method for playing genuine Game Boy cartridges on the Steam Deck while on the move.

Steam Deck operator byu/Repulsive_Aide_836 inSteamDeck

On the r/SteamDeck subreddit, user Repulsive_Aide_836 proudly showcased their brilliant mod that evokes feelings of nostalgia. The mod features an official cartridge of Pokemon Yellow attached to the back of a Steam Deck.

To avoid using EmuDeck to play the beloved Pokemon game, this setup enables Pokemon Yellow to be played directly from the cartridge, just as it was intended upon its initial release in 1999.

The creativity and sentimentality of the mod received numerous favorable remarks. Reddit user thedebatingbookworm expressed, “I adore the adorable aspect of this. It’s as if Pikachu is providing energy for your Steam Deck.”

At the same time, Tskmster, a user, expressed their admiration for the mod, commenting, “I would purchase one of these to play my old GBA games.”

Despite the mod receiving praise from many members of r/SteamDeck, there were some who were not as impressed. User PrinklePronkle expressed their skepticism, stating, “I am doubtful that the time and effort put into setting up and using this mod would be worth it compared to simply downloading the top 100 GB titles for an emulator.”

According to the Steam Deck modder, the project was relatively quick to complete. They stated that the majority of the time was spent on creating the shell, while the main part of the mod consisted of using a plug-and-play GB player, also known as the GB Operator.

The GB Operator enables you to play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges on your PC or PC handhelds like the Steam Deck. For just $50, the GB Operator also offers the convenient feature of backing up and restoring old saved files, making it even more useful if your cart batteries are close to dying.

Using a GB Operator, Repulsive_Aide_836 ingeniously designed a 3D-printed shell and attached it to the back of the Valve handheld. As a result, the traditionally immobile GB device can now be as easily transported as the original Game Boy Pokemon Yellow was intended for.

The creator of the Steam Deck modification did not disclose the process of assembling their ‘Steam Deck operator’. Nonetheless, for those with access to a 3D printer, they have intentions of releasing the shell files in the near future.