Skip to content

RetroDECK Hotkeys

RetroDECK Controller Mapping

RetroDECK uses Steam Input for advanced controller mapping. More controllers will be supported as Steam Input expands.

Customizing Controls

  • Rebind buttons in RetroDECK's Steam Input templates and supported components.
  • Create custom profiles, but note that updates to Steam or RetroDECK may break them.
  • If a profile becomes broken, revert to Official Controller Profiles or reinstall using the RetroDECK Configurator.

Prerequisites for Steam Input

Add RetroDECK to Steam

Via the RetroDECK Configurator

Applying the Templates

  1. Select RetroDECK in Steam.
  2. Navigate to: 🎮 → 🎮 Controller Settings → Controller Layouts → Templates.

Steam Deck:

Linux Desktop:

RetroDECK: Steam Input Templates & HotKey Button

Below is a list of the currently supported Steam Input Templates with links to their controller guides.

Controller Template Name Version Original System Controller Link HotKey Button (HKB) Comment
DualShock 3 RetroDECK: DualShock 3 v.1b PlayStation 3 DualShock 3 Select
DualShock 4 RetroDECK: DualShock 4 v.1b PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 Select
DualSense RetroDECK: DualSense v.1b PlayStation 5 DualSense Select
DualSense Edge RetroDECK: DualSense Edge v.1b PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge Select
Generic Standard RetroDECK: Generic - Standard v.1b Varies Generic Standard Select Majority of 3rd party controllers with a standard layout
Steam Controller: Gordon RetroDECK: Steam Controller - Gordon v.1b Steam Devices Steam Controller - Gordon L4 Select
Steam Deck: Neptune RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Neptune v.1.1b Steam Deck LCD/OLED Steam Deck - Neptune L4 R4 Select Has two radial menu systems
Switch Pro RetroDECK: Switch Pro v.1b Nintendo Switch Switch Pro Minus
Xbox 360 RetroDECK: Xbox 360 v.1b Xbox 360 Xbox 360 Controller Select
Xbox Elite Wireless Series 1 / 2 RetroDECK: Xbox Wireless v.1b Xbox S / X Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 1 / 2 Select
Xbox Wireless RetroDECK: Xbox Wireless v.1b Xbox One / S / X Xbox Wireless Controller Select

The HotKey Button

Global hotkeys are activated by pressing and holding the HotKey Button (HKB) and then pressing the corresponding button for the command you want to execute.

  • Steam Deck (Neptune): HKB can be L4, R4, or Select, depending on the button combination.
  • Steam Controller (Gordon): HKB can be L4 or Select.
  • PlayStation Controllers: HKB is Select.
  • Nintendo Controllers: HKB is Minus.
  • Xbox Controllers: HKB is Select.
  • Generic Controllers: Use the HKB according to the layout they replicate (PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo).

Example: Execute the Pause / Resume command

  • Steam Deck (Neptune): Hold L4, R4, or Select and press A.
  • PlayStation: Hold Select and press Cross.
  • Nintendo: Hold Minus and press B.
  • Xbox: Hold Select and press A.

RetroDECK: Hotkey List

  • Function: Description of the hotkey's action.
  • Icon: Visual representation of the corresponding function in radial menus.
  • Controller Type Columns: Input combination needed to trigger the command for each controller type.
  • Command: The key combination sent to the component.
  • System Support: Components that recognize the command.
  • Comment: Additional notes.
Function Icon Xbox / Steam Deck Nintendo PlayStation Command System Support Comment
Decrease Emulation Speed HKB + D-Pad Down HKB + D-Pad Down HKB + D-Pad Down CTRL + 2
  • Azahar
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
Fast Forward HKB + R2 HKB + R2 HKB + R2 CTRL + +
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • MelonDS (Standalone)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RetroArch
Increase Emulation Speed HKB + D-Pad Up HKB + D-Pad Up HKB + D-Pad Up CTRL + 1
  • Azahar
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
Load State HKB + L1 HKB + L1 HKB + L1 CTRL + A
  • Azahar
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RetroArch
Next State HKB + D-Pad Right HKB + D-Pad Right HKB + D-Pad Right CTRL + K
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RetroArch
Open Menu HKB + Y HKB + X HKB + Triangle CTRL + M
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RPCS3
  • RetroArch
Pause / Resume HKB + A HKB + B HKB + Cross CTRL + P
  • Azahar
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • MelonDS (Standalone)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RetroArch
Previous State HKB + D-Pad Left HKB + D-Pad Left HKB + D-Pad Left CTRL + J
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RetroArch
Quit Component HKB + Start HKB + Start HKB + Start CTRL + Q
  • Azahar
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RetroArch
Rewind HKB + L2 HKB + L2 HKB + L2 CTRL + -
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • RetroArch
Save State HKB + R1 HKB + R1 HKB + R1 CTRL + S
  • Azahar
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RetroArch
Take Screenshot HKB + B HKB + A HKB + Circle CTRL + X
  • Azahar
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RetroArch
Toggle Fullscreen HKB + X HKB + Y HKB + Square CTRL + ENTER
  • Azahar
  • Dolphin (Standalone)
  • PrimeHack (Standalone)
  • DuckStation (Legacy)
  • MelonDS (Standalone)
  • PCSX2 (Standalone)
  • RPCS3

Additional Hotkeys - Components

RetroArch: Additional Hotkeys

These hotkeys are built into RetroArch and function across supported cores.

Function Button / Combination System Support Comment
Open Menu L3 + R3
  • RetroArch

Arcade Systems: Additional Hotkeys

These hotkeys work for RetroArch, MAME, and other arcade systems.

Function Button / Combination System Support Comment
Insert Credit SELECT
  • MAME (Standalone)
  • RetroArch

Additional Hotkeys - Controllers

Simple Radial Menu

All controllers can open the RetroDECK: Radial Menu - Simple.

Function Command Comment
Simple Radial Menu HKB + Left Joystick Press L3 to activate radial button.

Right Joystick as Temporary Mouse

By holding SELECT and moving the Right Joystick, you can use it as a mouse for systems that support mouse input.

Function Button / Combination Command Comment
Joystick as Mouse SELECT + Right Stick Movement
Left Click SELECT + R3 Left Click
Right Click SELECT + L3 Right Click

Additional Hotkeys - DualShock 4 / DualSense

The touchpads on DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers act as a mouse, allowing you to navigate mouse-based inputs.

Function Button / Combination System Support Comment
Full Touchpad - - The entire touchpad acts as a mouse.
Left Touchpad Click Right Mouse Click -
Right Touchpad Click Left Mouse Click -

Additional Hotkeys - Steam Controller (Gordon)

By pressing R4, you can toggle the right touchpad between two modes: Right Joystick Mode and Mouse Mode. This is useful for games that primarily use the mouse as input, as you don't need to hold SELECT or L4 for mouse functionality.

Example Use Cases: - ScummVM for point-and-click games. - Dolphin for Wiimote movement. - Lightgun games. - PC-type games.

Note: Entering the global hotkeys mode by pressing SELECT or L4 will switch the right touchpad back to Joystick Mode.

Function Button / Combination Command Comment
Left Click (Mouse Mode) R3 Left Click In Mouse Mode.
Touchpad Mode Switch R4 - Switch between Joystick Mode and Mouse Mode.

By holding HKB and moving the Right Touchpad, you can use it as a mouse for systems that support mouse input.

Function Button / Combination Command Comment
Left Click HKB + R3 Left Click
Right Click HKB + L3 Right Click
Touchpad as Mouse HKB + Right Touchpad -

Additional Hotkeys - Steam Deck (Neptune)

Function Command Comment
Radial Menu Left Touchpad Press Left Touchpad to activate the radial menu.

The radial menu system is located on the Left Touchpad on the Steam Deck, with the layout depending on the template you choose.

The primary difference is the complexity of the built-in radial menus and the number of options available on the Left Touchpad.

RetroDECK ships with two different templates for the Steam Deck:

Full Radial Menu

This is a deeper radial menu shipped by default.

Template: RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Neptune FULL

Read more here: RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Neptune FULL

Simple Radial Menu

This is the same radial menu found on external controllers.

Template: RetroDECK: Steam Deck - Neptune SIMPLE

Read more here: RetroDECK: Radial Menu - Simple

Built-In Hotkeys - Steam Deck

SteamOS: Game Mode

These hotkeys are made by Valve and can be used in Game Mode across all games.

Function Button / Combination Comment
Enter STEAM + D-pad Right
Escape STEAM + D-pad Left
Force Quit Application STEAM + B (long press)
Game Recording - Add timeline marker STEAM + Y
Game Recording - Make a clip STEAM + D-pad Up
Game Recording - Start/Stop STEAM + A
Joystick Mouse STEAM + Right Stick
Joystick Mouse - Left Click STEAM + R3
Keyboard - Show / Hide STEAM + X
Left Mouse Click STEAM + R2
Magnifier Toggle STEAM + L1
Right Mouse Click STEAM + L2
Screen Brightness - Decrease STEAM + Left Stick Down
Screen Brightness - Increase STEAM + Left Stick Up
Tab STEAM + D-pad Down
Take Screenshot STEAM + R1
Touchpad Mouse STEAM + Right Touchpad
Touchpad Mouse - Left Click STEAM + Right Touchpad Click

SteamOS: Desktop Mode

These hotkeys are made by Valve and can be used in Desktop Mode.

Function Button / Combination Comment
Arrow Key - Down D-Pad Down / Left Stick Down
Arrow Key - Left D-Pad Left / Left Stick Left
Arrow Key - Right D-Pad Right / Left Stick Right
Arrow Key - Up D-Pad Up / Left Stick Up
Enter A
Escape B / Start
Game Recording - Add timeline marker CTRL + F12 Can be rebound, needs to be enabled
Game Recording - Start/Stop CTRL + F11 Can be rebound, needs to be enabled
Game Recording - Take screenshot F12 Can be rebound, needs to be enabled
Joystick Mouse Right Stick
Keyboard - Show / Hide X
Left Alt R1
Left Ctrl L1
Left Mouse Click R3 / Right Touchpad Click / R2
Left Shift L4
Middle Mouse Click Left Touchpad Click
Page Down R5
Page Up R4
Space Y
Super Key L5
Tab Select
Touchpad as Mouse Right Touchpad
Horizontal and Vertical Scrolling Left Touchpad