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PokeMMO

Native Linux MMORPG (Pokemon fan MMO) 2012 (first release); actively maintained 2026 other
Does it run on your Deck?

About

PokeMMO is a free-to-play Pokemon MMORPG with hundreds of thousands of active players across multiple regions derived from the official mainline games. It runs as a Java application with a native Linux build; the official Flatpak (com.pokemmo.PokeMMO via Flathub) is the cleanest install path on Steam Deck. Official Steam Deck support documentation is available at support.pokemmo.com. ROM files for each region you wish to play must be supplied by the user from their own legally-owned copies of the corresponding games.

Identity

DeveloperPokeMMO team (pokemmo.com)
PublisherPokeMMO team (pokemmo.com)
Released2012 (first release); actively maintained 2026
GenreMMORPG (Pokemon fan MMO)
ModesMultiplayer online
Engineother
TypeNative Linux
AliasesPokeMMO, Pokemon MMO, Pokemon Online MMO

Launch

Binary
flatpak run com.pokemmo.PokeMMO
Needs files
  • ROM files for each Pokemon region game you want to play (FireRed for Kanto, HeartGold/SoulSilver for Johto, Black/White for Unova, Platinum for Sinnoh, Emerald for Hoenn)

Runtime

Runs as
Native Linux
Proton
not needed

⚙ Setup notes

Install: The official Flatpak is the easiest Deck path: com.pokemmo.PokeMMO via Flathub (install through the Discover app), or use the official installer from pokemmo.com. PokeMMO runs as a Java application with a native Linux build, so no Proton is required. Launch it once in Desktop Mode first so it downloads its client files.

Display: Use Borderless Windowed mode on Deck — Wayland has issues.

Controller: No official controller profile ships; a community Steam Input profile can be selected under Controller Settings > Community Profiles. You must launch PokeMMO through Steam (add the Flatpak as a non-Steam game) for the controller config to apply — controllers do not work if launched from the Desktop applications menu.

ROMs: ROM files for each region you want to play must be supplied from your own legally-owned copies (FireRed for Kanto, HeartGold/SoulSilver for Johto, Black/White for Unova, Platinum for Sinnoh, Emerald for Hoenn).

Docs: Official Steam Deck setup guide at support.pokemmo.com.

The one thing to know

Supply your own copy: Requires ROM files for each region (FireRed, HeartGold/SoulSilver, Black/White, Platinum, Emerald) — you must provide your own legally-owned copies.

Display: Use Borderless Windowed mode on Deck (Wayland has issues).

Install: The official Flatpak (com.pokemmo.PokeMMO) is the easiest Deck install. Run once in Desktop Mode to fetch client files.

Controller: No official profile; pick a community Steam Input profile, and launch via Steam (not the Desktop menu) or the controller config won't apply.

Docs: Official Deck guide at support.pokemmo.com.

Community guides

Write-ups and threads from people who got this (or a similar) game running. deckport links to them — it doesn't reproduce them.

Get the artwork

deckport never hosts game images. Open this game on SteamGridDB, pick the cover / hero / logo / icon you like, and drop them into the game folder under .deckport-art/ before you push it to the Deck. The importer files them under the right names automatically.

Run it on your Deck

Two files: the one-time importer (deckport.py) in your Deck's home folder, and this game's install helper. Copy the game into ~/Games and run the helper with Steam closed — it writes the recipe (binary, launch options) and registers the shortcut with artwork.