Valve’s Steam Deck has proven to be serious competitor against the Nintendo Switch, offering players access to Steam’s extensive library of games and overall higher performance rates. Earlier today, however, an informational video about the Steam Deck uncovered another reason players gravitate towards it. Within footage of the Steam Deck’s home page, the Yuzu emulator icon was seen for a split second, spotted by Twitter user Nibel. Despite Valve’s swift removal of the video and a re-upload with corrections, the damage had been done. The sight of Yuzu’s logo on the Steam Deck had garnered more interest within the gaming community and for no small reason.
Due to its close links to video game piracy, emulators are a complex and taboo topic due to their ability to allow PC users to play older console games at higher frame rates and with better graphics. However, emulators like Yuzu have made it possible to enjoy Nintendo Switch games in resolutions higher than the original console’s capabilities. Since the introduction of the Steam Deck, the amount of people who have access to emulation has grown, including the complications that go along with it.
Nintendo has been notorious for their stance against modifications and emulation of their old and new titles, most notably from their successful lawsuit against ROM and emulator site RomUniverse.com in 2021. Nintendo has taken steps to protect its software from emulation and mods, but it hasn’t won them any favors among video gamers. Steam Deck’s potential is endless now that it is freed from its waitlist, has its own docking station, and is awaiting more housekeeping updates. Regardless, the blatant evidence of Yuzu existing on the Steam Deck from Valve itself, no matter how accidental it seems, is likely to draw ire from Nintendo.