This repository packages wii-u-gc-adapter for the Steam Deck in a way that is simple for anyone to install and robust to OS updates.
On your Steam Deck, enter Desktop Mode and open Konsole. Then run the following command to install and enable the driver:
curl -L "https://github.com/MageJohn/steam-deck-gc-adapter/releases/latest/download/bootstrap.sh" | bashIf you have a sudo password set you will be prompted to enter it. When it finishes you can plug in an adapter and test it out in Steam or a game!
The install script bootstrap.sh downloads the release tarball and executes the scripts/install.sh from it, which does the real work. It performs the following steps
- Install a udev rule that allows non-root users to read from the USB device
- Install a systemd unit which ensure the driver runs whenever the Deck starts
- Installs the driver binary itself
- Configures Steam with the correct bindings, so that buttons are correctly mapped. This is done with a seperate Python script.
- Finally, enables and starts the systemd unit
To check if the driver is running, run systemctl status --user wii-u-gc-adapter. This will show green active (running) if the driver is up. It should also show the most recent log output, including connect/disconnect events for adapters and ports.
If the bindings are messed up, then you might have to reconfigure them through Steam. In Steam, go to Settings -> Controllers, make sure you've selected a plugged in GameCube controller, then hit the Begin Test button. There, use the Paste Bindings button to paste the following snippet:
030000007e0500003703000000000000,Wii U GameCube Adapter,platform:Linux,a:b0,b:b3,x:b1,y:b2,dpleft:b10,dpright:b11,dpup:b8,dpdown:b9,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,rightx:a3,righty:a4,lefttrigger:a2,rightshoulder:b6,righttrigger:a5,start:b7,steam:2,"
If you can't copy and paste that (this might be tricky in Gaming Mode), then hit Setup Controls and follow the process. However, you'll have to do the same for each port due to how the bindings are matched to controllers. The line above doesn't have that issue because the CRC hash of the name has been removed.