EmuDeck Console Officially Unveiled

The team behind the popular emulation tool EmuDeck has announced an exciting new development: their very first hardware product, the EmuDeck Machine, which is set to launch before the end of 2024 after spending the first half of the year in development.

The EmuDeck Machine is a retro emulation mini PC, crowdfunded and running on Bazzite, a Linux-based system akin to SteamOS.

In an exclusive interview with Overkill, the EmuDeck team described their new device as a "plug and play, no drivers, no hassle" solution. Users simply connect the Dreamcast-inspired PC, log into their Steam account, and start gaming. For retro gaming enthusiasts, EmuDeck has also added special features to enhance the experience on this device.

The primary motivation for EmuDeck's entry into the hardware space is straightforward: they want to simplify a process that can be challenging for the less tech-savvy.

"Getting a new PC can be a hurdle if you're not tech-savvy. I've been using an ITX build as my gaming rig for so long, trying to find that console-like experience. Now we can get that with Bazzite," explained dragoonDorise, EmuDeck's project lead.

The decision to use the Linux-based Bazzite OS was "an easy one," largely due to dissatisfaction with what was called a "clunky" Windows experience. The integration of Bazzite and EmuDeck should be seamless, as both teams have collaborated closely on the project.

The EmuDeck Machine will be available in two models: the EM1, powered by an Intel N97 APU, and the EM2, featuring an AMD Ryzen 8600G. While both models are designed primarily for emulation, the AMD-based EM2 is capable of functioning as a console-like PC. The team has put in custom work to optimize performance, achieving 47 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 on a stable system, or 60 FPS with FSR enabled, compared to the default 32 FPS.

Specs for both EmuDeck Machine models have been revealed, and they will come with a Gamesir Nova Lite controller and EmuDeck preinstalled. Additionally, all available Decky plugins will be preloaded.

The EmuDeck team has hinted at further developments if their crowdfunding campaign is successful, including a docking station for the EM2 that would upgrade the graphics to an AMD Radeon 7600 desktop GPU, allowing for 160 FPS in 1080p on games like Cyberpunk 2077. This ambitious project could make the EM2 not just a compact, console-like PC, but also a potential gaming PC replacement.

Pre-orders for the EmuDeck Machines are now open via an Indiegogo campaign, with prices starting at around €299 (£257, $322) and shipping expected in December 2024—just in time for the holidays.