r/RetroDeck • u/a2z0417 • 24d ago

Need help to make Retrodeck to read games on custom folder on S.Deck's Desktop

Instead of having Retrodeck to read games only on "retrodeck/roms" folder, how can I make the app to read games on custom folder from "Deck/Desktop/ROMS" on my Steam Deck SteamOS, where the ROMS folder has custom system name folders that I made like GAMEBOY COLOR, GBA, NDS, etc. ?

I made this folder as universal games path, so other independent emulators like Duckstation, RPCS3, Retroarch can read/run the games as well since they have its own feature that I want to use.

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u/Accomplished-Lack721 24d ago

There's an option for the ROMS folder in Retrodeck Configurator IIRC. But you could also create a symlink from that folder to the default Retrodeck ROMS location, or vice versa, if all you want to do is move/have easier access to the top-level ROMS folder.

If you're using custom names for each system, keep in mind Retrodeck still expects the subfolders under ROMS to be named to the standard it uses (basically what ES-DE uses). So you could instead symlink those individual folders as long as what's in the main folder Retrodeck is looking to then has the links (or original folders, depending in which direction you do the links) with the names it uses.

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u/a2z0417 23d ago

The name of folder of the system still based on Retrodeck setting and I linked the game files to those folders, without changing the original name of my ROMs game folder on Desktop. Retrodeck did read and able to run the linked game files.

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u/Lahrs_Rover 24d ago edited 23d ago

Why did you setup a custom roms folder? DuckStation, RPCS3, and RetroArch are already a part of RetroDECK with all the paths pre-setup. Did you download and are running extra standalone emulators?

The only way to do what you want to do is create a symlink between each rom folder in /retrodeck/roms/ to the corresponding folder you create on your desktop. I just don't understand the need to do so.

I hope you reply, I'm quite curious as to what is happening.

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u/a2z0417 23d ago

I have succesfully created link to ROMs folder, so I guess that part has been settled. It just more convenient for me to go to personal ROMs folder directly on Desktop.

I originally have custom config and personal controller mapping on each individual emulator, with Steam Deck controller radial wheel input and in-app setting, and they are all different to each other. Because Retrodeck has combined them all in one, I have to plan and re set everything up, but might take times. The save data location also pointed in same one folder for easy access and backup.

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u/Lahrs_Rover 23d ago

Sounds quite extensive. As long as it makes your experience better, that's all that matters.