Guide: UZDoom

UZDoom is the open source source port engine for ID Software's older games like DOOM, DOOM2, HEXEN and HERETIC with mod support.

UZDoom replaces GZDoom starting with RetroDECK 0.11.0

The content in this section is also compatible with GZDoom and applies to older RetroDECK versions that used GZDoom.

UZDoom Links

Resource	Link
UZDoom - Github	Link
UZDoom - Github	Link
ZDoom - Forums	Link
ZDoom - Web Page	Link

Where to put the games?

DOOM games should be put under the retrodeck/roms/doom/ directory.

What file formats does UZDoom support?

File Type	What is it?	Comments
.doom	RetroDECK DOOM parser file	Use it with other files (recommended)
.wad	Doom level resource file	Where's All the Data?
.iwad	Internal WAD file
.pwad	Patch WAD file	Has priority over .wad
.kpf	KEX Engine zip replacement
.pk3	Enhanced engine zip container	.zip file archive
.ipk3	Internal pk3
.pk4	id Tech 4 zip container	.zip file archive
.pk7	7-Zip compressed container	.7zip file archive
.pke	Eternity Engine mod zip	Made for the Eternity Engine
.epk	EDGE Engine mod zip	Made for the EDGE engine
.deh	DeHackEd file	Edits hardcoded parts of the DOOM engine
.bex	Enhanced DeHackEd file	Has more features than .deh and used by various ports
.lev	Level renaming file	Renames levels of a .pwad
.lmp	Doom data unit
.mus	Doom music file	Used by `DOOM`, `Heretic`, `Hexen` and `Strife`

Does UZDoom require BIOS, Game Data or Firmware files?

Yes, you do need copies of the official DOOM game data (WAD files) or you can use Freedoom.

Where to buy official DOOM?

Below is a combined table containing both Steam and GOG purchase links for all relevant DOOM titles.

Game / Bundle	Steam Link	GOG Link
DOOM Classic Bundle	Steam	-
DOOM + DOOM II	Steam	GOG
DOOM 64	Steam	GOG

Note: DOOM + DOOM II is sufficient for use with UZDoom. Additional titles are optional; however, DOOM 64 is required for certain mods. Purchasing the Classic Bundle may be more cost-effective.

Freedoom

Freedoom is a free, open-source project that provides all the game data needed to create a fully playable game using the Doom engine.

It is compatible with most community-made levels, graphics, music and mods created for the original DOOM games.

Website: Freedoom

Directory structure

Type	Directory	Comment
Audio FM Banks Storage	`retrodeck/storage/UZDoom/audio/fm_banks/`
Audio Soundfonts	`retrodeck/storage/UZDoom/audio/soundfonts/`
BIOS	`retrodeck/bios/UZDoom/`
Config	`~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck/config/UZDoom/`	UZDoom.ini
Data	`~/.var/app/org.retrodeck.retrodeck/data/UZDoom/`
ROMs	`retrodeck/roms/doom/`
Saves	`retrodeck/saves/doom/`

What IWADs is UZDoom looking for?

The IWADs UZDoom requires to run are listed below:

File	What is it?	Comments
ACTION2.WAD	Action Doom 2: Urban Brawl
BLASPHEM.WAD	Blasphemer
CHEX.WAD	Chex Quest
CHEX3.WAD	Chex Quest 3
DELAWEARE.WAD	Delaweare
DOOM.WAD	Doom - Shareware
DOOM1.WAD	Doom
DOOM2.WAD	Doom II: Hell on Earth
DOOM2F.WAD	Doom II French
DOOM64.WAD	Doom 64	Needs to be Patched
DOOM_COMPLETE.PK3	WadSmoosh Merged Doom
FREEDOOM1.WAD	Freedoom Phase 1
FREEDOOM2.WAD	Freedoom Phase 2
FREEDM.WAD	Freedoom Deathmatch
HEXDD.WAD	Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel	Needs HEXEN.WAD to play
HEXEN.WAD	Hexen: Beyond Heretic
HACX.WAD	HACX
HARM1.WAD	Harmony
HERETIC.WAD	Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders
HERETIC1.WAD	Heretic - Shareware
PLUTONIA.WAD	Plutonia Experiment
ROTWB.WAD	Rise Of The Wool Ball
SQUARE1.PK3	The Adventures of Square
STRIFE0.WAD	Strife - Shareware
STRIFE1.WAD	Strife
TNT.WAD	TNT: Evilution
VOICES.WAD	Strife Voices	Needs STRIFE1.WAD to be used
WADSMOOSH+.IPK3	WadSmoosh+ Merged Doom

Where can I find more WADs?

Non-official WADs (mods) are available across the internet on old forums, GitHub and various websites.

Here are some popular sources:

Source	Description	Link
Doomworld	Oldest DOOM community; hosts the annual Cacowards.	Doomworld: Cacowards
Doomworld	Large collection of WAD files.	Doomworld: Files
Doomworld	Legacy repository of user-submitted WADs.	Doomworld: ID Games (Legacy)
Doomworld	Community forum for discussion, help and mods.	Doomworld: Forum
Doomwiki	Wiki listing notable WADs and mods.	Doomwiki: List of notable WADs
ModDB	Modding community with many DOOM mods.	ModDB: DOOM Mods

UZDoom Controls

Known Issues

Multiple controllers for local multiplayer don't work well due to bugs between UZDoom and Steam Input.
Set the primary controller as player one, especially if using an external controller with the Steam Deck. This prevents input loops.
Avoid pressing "Save configur## Where to put the games?

WiiU games should be put under the retrodeck/roms/wiiu/ directory. ation" in the UZDoom options menu if you have mods that add extra controls, as it will wipe those extra controls. Inputs will still be saved without pressing save.

⌨️ Keyboard and 🖱️ Mouse

Action	Input	Command
Alt Attack	`MOUSE2`	`+altattack`
Attack	`MOUSE1`	`+attack`
Center view	`END`	`centerview`
Chat	`T`	`messagemode`
Crouch	`C`	`+crouch`
Gamma	`F11`	`bumpgamma`
Inventory use	`ENTER`	`invuse`
Land	`HOME`	`land`
Look down	`DEL`	`+lookdown`
Look up	`PGDN`	`+lookup`
Map clear marks	`C`	`am_clearmarks`
Map grid toggle	`G`	`am_togglegrid`
Map mark	`M`	`am_setmark`
Map texture toggle	`P`	`am_toggletexture`
Map toggle	`TAB`	`togglemap`
Map zoom in	`EQUALS`	`+am_zoomin`
Map zoom in	`KP+`	`+am_zoomin`
Map zoom out	`-`	`+am_zoomout`
Map zoom out	`KP-`	`+am_zoomout`
Move backward	`DOWNARROW`	`+back`
Move backward	`S`	`+back`
Move forward	`UPARROW`	`+forward`
Move forward	`W`	`+forward`
Move left	`A`	`+moveleft`
Move left	`LEFTARROW`	`+moveleft`
Move right	`D`	`+moveright`
Move right	`RIGHTARROW`	`+moveright`
Pan map down	`DOWNARROW`	`+am_pandown`
Pan map left	`LEFTARROW`	`+am_panleft`
Pan map right	`RIGHTARROW`	`+am_panright`
Pan map up	`UPARROW`	`+am_panup`
Pause	`PAUSE`	`pause`
Previous weapon	`MWHEELUP`	`weapprev`
Quick load	`F9`	`quickload`
Quick save	`F6`	`quicksave`
Run / Sprint	`SHIFT`	`+speed`
Screenshot	`SYSRQ`	`screenshot`
Show scores	`\`	`+showscores`
Show scores	`SCROLL`	`+showscores`
Skip song	`.`	`di_skipSong`
Song previous	`,`	`di_prevSong`
Slot 0	`0`	`slot 0`
Slot 1	`1`	`slot 1`
Slot 2	`2`	`slot 2`
Slot 3	`3`	`slot 3`
Slot 4	`4`	`slot 4`
Slot 5	`5`	`slot 5`
Slot 6	`6`	`slot 6`
Slot 7	`7`	`slot 7`
Slot 8	`8`	`slot 8`
Slot 9	`9`	`slot 9`
Toggle console	`	`toggleconsole`
Toggle follow	`F`	`am_togglefollow`
Toggle infrared	`I`	`di_toggleinfrared`
Toggle messages	`F8`	`togglemessages`
Toggle run	`CAPSLOCK`	`toggle cl_run`
Use	`E`	`+use`
Use item	`F`	`di_useitem_bind`
Weapon next	`MWHEELDOWN`	`weapnext`
Weapon size down	`-`	`sizedown`
Weapon size up	`EQUALS`	`sizeup`
Zoom map 1.2×	`MWHEELUP`	`am_zoom 1.2`
Zoom map −1.2×	`MWHEELDOWN`	`am_zoom -1.2`

🎮 Gamepad

The controls are semi-based on the inputs from Timesplitters: Future Perfect for the PlayStation 2.

Action	Xbox - Steam Deck / Playstation / Nintendo	Input	Command
Alt Attack	RB / R1 / R	`JOY6`	`+altattack`
Attack	RT / R2 / ZR	`AXIS6PLUS`	`+attack`
Crouch	X / □ / Y	`JOY3`	`+crouch`
Inventory next	D-pad ↑	`POV1UP`	`invnext`
Inventory use	D-pad ↓	`POV1DOWN`	`invuse`
Jump	B / ○ / A	`JOY2`	`+jump`
Look down	Right Stick ↓	`AXIS5PLUS`	`+lookdown`
Look up	Right Stick ↑	`AXIS5MINUS`	`+lookup`
Main menu	Menu / Options / +	`JOY8`	`menu_main`
Map toggle	View / − / Select	`JOY7`	`togglemap`
Move backward	Left Stick ↓	`AXIS2PLUS`	`+back`
Move forward	Left Stick ↑	`AXIS2MINUS`	`+forward`
Move left	Left Stick ←	`AXIS1MINUS`	`+moveleft`
Move right	Left Stick →	`AXIS1PLUS`	`+moveright`
Toggle run	—	`JOY10`	`toggle cl_run`
Turn 180°	—	`JOY11`	`turn180`
Turn left	Right Stick ←	`AXIS4MINUS`	`+left`
Turn right	Right Stick →	`AXIS4PLUS`	`+right`
Use	A / × / B	`JOY1`	`+use`
Use item	Y / △ / X	`JOY5`	`di_useitem_bind`
Weapon next	D-pad →	`POV1RIGHT`	`weapnext`
Weapon previous	D-pad ←	`POV1LEFT`	`weapprev`

Mod Controls

Some mods provide additional actions that require extra controller or keyboard bindings. This is particularly common with Project Brutality and Brutal Doom based mods.

You can change any default bindings provided by RetroDECK. If the bindings become misconfigured, reset UZDoom using the Configurator.

Example: Optional Extra Bindings

RetroDECK ships with the following optional bindings by default used by some mods:

Action	Xbox - Steam Deck / PlayStation / Nintendo	PC
Dash	R3	`Shift`
Quick Melee / Special Action	LB / L1 / L	`Q`
Reload	Y / △ / X	`R`
Throw Grenade / Second Special Action	LT / L2 / ZL	`G`

⌨️ Keyboard and 🖱️ Mouse

Q / E: Suitable for action-oriented functions that require frequent access.
F: Suitable for context-sensitive actions or interactions.
G: Suitable for grenades or other secondary attacks.
R: Typically used for Reload.
Shift / Ctrl / Alt: Suitable for movement modifiers or used secondary actions.
Number keys: Useful for additional weapons or less frequently accessed functions.
Unused letter keys: Suitable for mod-specific actions and extra menus.

🎮 Gamepad

The following inputs are generally available for additional bindings:

L1 / LB: Suitable for action-oriented functions that require frequent access.
L2 / LT: Suitable for another frequently accessed action.
D-pad Up: Suitable for infrequent functions, such as extra menus or item use.
D-pad Down: Suitable for infrequent functions, such as extra menus or item use.
R3: Suitable for movement modifiers or used secondary actions.
L3: Suitable for movement modifiers or used secondary actions.

I have bought the games how do I get my files?

Read the:

How to: Extract Doom iWads

I want to play doom with mods

Read the:

RetroDECK .doom file for modding

WadSmoosh+ and WADSMOOSH+.IPK3

wadsmoosh+.ipk3 is the file generated by WadSmoosh+.

WadSmoosh+ merges DOOM, DOOM II and all supported official add-ons into a single unified IPK3, allowing you to select any campaign without loading individual WADs.

This makes using mods and switching between episodes much easier.

How to create: wadsmoosh+.ipk3

Download the latest release of WadSmoosh+.
Place all required WAD files into the source_wads folder.
Run the script from a terminal:./wadsmoo.sh.
Check logs for errors and accommodate.
Move the file wadsmoosh+.ipk3 into the roms/doom folder.

Wads supported by WadSmoosh+

WAD File	Category / Source	Description
attack.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Attack
betray.wad	Xbox Doom Bonus Levels	Xbox-exclusive bonus map.
blacktwr.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Black Tower
bloodsea.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Bloodsea Keep
canyon.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Canyon
catwalk.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: The Catwalk
combine.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: The Combine
doom.wad	Doom / Ultimate Doom	Original Doom IWAD.
doom2.wad	Doom II	Original Doom II IWAD.
doom2bfg.wad	Doom II BFG Edition	BFG Edition extra content.
doom2unity.wad	Unity Doom II	Unity version of Doom II (rename doom2.wad ➝ doom2unity.wad).
doom3do.wad	Doom 3DO Soundtrack	3DO music WAD.
doomunity.wad	Unity Doom	Unity version of Doom (rename doom.wad ➝ doomunity.wad).
doomzero.wad	Doom Zero	Unity-released megawad.
extras.wad	Unity Add-ons	Bonus assets for Unity ports.
fistula.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: The Fistula
freedoom1.wad	Freedoom Phase 1	Free replacement Doom IWAD.
freedoom2.wad	Freedoom Phase 2	Free replacement Doom II IWAD.
garrison.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: The Garrison
geryon.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Geryon: 6th Canto of Inferno
hell2pay.wad	Hell To Pay	Commercial total conversion.
id1.wad	Legacy of Rust (KEX re-release)	Extra IWAD-style file.
id1-res.wad	Legacy of Rust (KEX re-release)	Resource file.
id24res.wad	Legacy of Rust (KEX re-release)	Resource file.
iddm1.wad	Legacy of Rust (KEX re-release)	Deathmatch pack.
jptr_v40.wad	The Lost Episodes of Doom	Early commercial fan episodes.
manor.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Titan Manor
mephisto.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Mephisto’s Maosoleum
minos.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Minos’ Judgement
neis.wad	No End in Sight	Ultimate Doom megawad.
nerve.wad	No Rest for the Living	Official Doom II episode.
nessus.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Nessus
paradox.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Paradox
perdgate.wad	Perdition's Gate	Commercial add-on.
pl2.wad	Plutonia 2	Fan-made Plutonia sequel.
prcp.wad	Plutonia Revisited	Community Plutonia project.
plutonia.wad	Final Doom	Plutonia IWAD.
sewers.wad	Xbox Doom Bonus Levels	Xbox-exclusive bonus map.
sigil.wad	Sigil	Romero’s Episode 5: Sigil.
sigil2.wad	Sigil II	Romero’s followup to Sigil.
sigil_shreds.wad	Sigil (Music Add-on)	Optional enhanced soundtrack.
subspace.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Subspace
subterra.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Subterra
teeth.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: The Express Elevator to Hell + Bad Dream
tnt.wad	Final Doom	TNT IWAD.
tnt2_beta6.wad	TNT: Devilution	Fan-made TNT sequel.
tntr.wad	TNT: Revilution	Community TNT sequel.
ttrap.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Trapped on Titan
vesperas.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Vesperas: 7th Canto of Inferno
virgil.wad	Master Levels for Doom II	Master Levels: Virgil’s Lead: 3rd Canto of Inferno

Cheats

Classic Doom I & II Cheats

Cheat Code	Effect	Comments
`iddqd`	God Mode (Invulnerability)
`idkfa`	All Weapons + Ammo + Keys
`idfa`	All Weapons + Ammo (no keys)
`idclip`	No Clipping (walk through walls)
`iddt`	Full Automap
`idchoppers`	Chainsaw
`idclev XX`	Warp to Level (Doom I: E#M#, Doom II: ##)
`idmypos`	Show Coordinates & Angle
`idbeholdv`	Invulnerability Power-Up
`idbeholds`	Berserk (Strength)
`idbeholdi`	Partial Invisibility
`idbeholdr`	Radiation Suit
`idbeholda`	Automap Power-Up
`idbeholdl`	Light Amplification Goggles

UZDoom-Specific Console Commands

Command	Effect	Comments
`~` / `console`	Open Developer Console
`god`	God Mode
`noclip`	No Clipping
`give all`	All Weapons/Items
`give ammo`	Max Ammo
`give keys`	All Keys
`map mapname`	Load Specific Map (e.g., `map map07`)

FAQ: UZDoom

Question	Answer
In the DOOM Mod - Project Brutality, why is the visor GUI disabled by default in the RetroDECK configuration?	The visor GUI is disabled by default because it does not scale well on smaller displays like the Steam Deck and can cause the interface to appear cramped. Users who prefer this feature may re-enable it in the settings menu.

Troubleshooting

Topic	Issue	Solution
Steam Input: Looping Inputs	Steam Input conflict causing input looping in menus.	Set the controller as Player 1 or use Steam's Reorder Controllers.