How to install CEMU WiiU Emulator on Steam Deck with EmuDeck – complete guide

Emulation on Steam Deck has never been easier. EmuDeck is a comprehensive tool that will allow you to almost automatically install and configure the most popular emulators on Steam Deck

Follow this guide for a complete step-by-step process on how to install and configure CEMU – Nintendo WiiU Emulator on Steam Deck

A complete visual guide on how to install CEMU WiiU Emulator on Steam Deck

Make sure you install EmuDeck correctly – you can find a link here:

Emulation on Steam Deck with EmuDeck – complete installation guide

Basic information

CEMU does not need any additional actions to operate. Bios or firmware is not required.

Installing games for Cemu Emulator WiiU on Steam Deck

To start, go to Desktop Mode. Run Dolphin File Manager and go to the location you chose at the beginning of the installation of EmuDeck

Find “Emulation” folder and go to “roms”. Now choose a “WiiU” and “roms”, put the game folder in it. You need a file format supported by the emulator: .rpx .wud .wux .elf .iso .wad

More info on EmuDeck Wiki.

Sharing ROMs, updates and DLC files is illegal, so you have to acquire them yourself.

Installing updates and DLC for WiiU games

To avoid unnecessary problems, copy the update and DLC file folders to the location of the CEMU installation, which is Emulation>roms>wiiu.

If you do not do this then available space on the storage may be detected incorrectly. 

When you are ready, run Dolphin File Manager and go back to the location you chose at the beginning of the installation of EmuDeck – either SD Card or Internal. Find “Emulation” folder and go to “tools” and “launchers”.

Here you will find shortcuts to the emulators. Run “cemu.sh”. If the application starts, go to the next point. If nothing is happening, you need to edit “cemu.sh” file and replace the line of code with KWrite like below:

"${PROTONLAUNCH}" -p '7.0' -i 1 -- "${CEMU}" "${@}"

!!! If it still doesn't work then launch any game from Steam and force Proton Experimental. Make sure all its files are downloaded. Then go back to edit Cemu.sh and change the line of code to: 

"${PROTONLAUNCH}" -p ' - Experimental' -i 1 -- "${CEMU}" "${@}" !!!

Run Cemu. In the upper left of the application, click on “File” and select “Install game title, update or DLC”. If you followed my tutorial then the folder should be visible right away.

Select the folder where the files are located, then go to “meta” and select “meta.xml”.

The whole process can take a while, so be patient. When a window confirming the successful installation appears, click “OK” and close CEMU

You can now go back to the “wiiu” folder and delete the files you have already installed. 

How to update CEMU with EmuDeck

At this point, I recommend doing a CEMU update. Go to desktop and run the EmuDeck Tool Updater script. From the list, deselect everything except the Nintendo WiiU Emu. Choose the latest available version and click OK. CEMU is now updated.   

Basic configuration of Cemu WiiU Emulator

EmuDeck’s default settings are very good and should work fine with most games. Before launching game, I always recommend visiting wiki.cemu.info and checking if the game requires any special changes. For example, The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess doesn’t work properly when the Vulkan API is selected on the AMD card, so you have to change it to OpenGL. I do not recommend making any changes to the settings if everything is working properly. 

Graphics Packs in Cemu WiiU Emulator

CEMU has an additional option, called Graphic Packs. These are modifications that allow you to change the quality of the visuals, and gameplay settings, as well as turn on some hotfixes.

Go to Options and select Graphic Packs. Click on Download latest community graphic packs

The name of the installed game should appear at the top of the window. Click on the “+” and expand all available options. 

Some games have very advanced configuration options. Be careful not to enable unnecessary features.

Controls setup for Steam Deck

If you have installed EmuDeck in Expert mode then all control settings should be set correctly by default, including motion controls supported in selected titles. There is no need to change anything here. When you return to Game Mode, everything should work properly.

Steam ROM Manager

The final step in Desktop Mode is Steam ROM Manager. It is a program that will automatically add individual games and emulators to Steam with all the necessary commands. Click on “Preview”, “Generate app list” and as final step “Save app list”. You’re all set and once Steam is up and running, you can choose games from the list.

Play installed games 

Return to Gaming Mode when ready. You can find installed games in the library under the “Non-Steam” tab.

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