diff --git a/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_game.png b/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_game.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..624c3a917d
Binary files /dev/null and b/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_game.png differ
diff --git a/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_locked.png b/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_locked.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..286709b1b1
Binary files /dev/null and b/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_locked.png differ
diff --git a/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_player.png b/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_player.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d99412b839
Binary files /dev/null and b/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_player.png differ
diff --git a/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_unlocked.png b/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_unlocked.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e95e60558a
Binary files /dev/null and b/Data/Sys/Resources/achievements_unlocked.png differ
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/AchievementManager.cpp b/Source/Core/Core/AchievementManager.cpp
index b1b63726b3..360a332eb0 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/AchievementManager.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/AchievementManager.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #include <rcheevos/include/rc_api_info.h>
 #include <rcheevos/include/rc_hash.h>
 
+#include "Common/CommonPaths.h"
+#include "Common/FileUtil.h"
 #include "Common/Image.h"
 #include "Common/Logging/Log.h"
 #include "Common/ScopeGuard.h"
@@ -23,11 +25,10 @@
 #include "Core/System.h"
 #include "DiscIO/Blob.h"
 #include "UICommon/DiscordPresence.h"
+#include "VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.h"
 #include "VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.h"
 #include "VideoCommon/VideoEvents.h"
 
-static std::unique_ptr<OSD::Icon> DecodeBadgeToOSDIcon(const AchievementManager::Badge& badge);
-
 AchievementManager& AchievementManager::GetInstance()
 {
   static AchievementManager s_instance;
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ AchievementManager& AchievementManager::GetInstance()
 
 void AchievementManager::Init()
 {
+  LoadDefaultBadges();
   if (!m_client && Config::Get(Config::RA_ENABLED))
   {
     m_client = rc_client_create(MemoryPeeker, Request);
@@ -278,7 +280,7 @@ u32 AchievementManager::GetPlayerScore() const
   return user->score;
 }
 
-const AchievementManager::BadgeStatus& AchievementManager::GetPlayerBadge() const
+const AchievementManager::Badge& AchievementManager::GetPlayerBadge() const
 {
   return m_player_badge;
 }
@@ -298,17 +300,19 @@ rc_api_fetch_game_data_response_t* AchievementManager::GetGameData()
   return &m_game_data;
 }
 
-const AchievementManager::BadgeStatus& AchievementManager::GetGameBadge() const
+const AchievementManager::Badge& AchievementManager::GetGameBadge() const
 {
   return m_game_badge;
 }
 
-const AchievementManager::BadgeStatus& AchievementManager::GetAchievementBadge(AchievementId id,
-                                                                               bool locked) const
+const AchievementManager::Badge& AchievementManager::GetAchievementBadge(AchievementId id,
+                                                                         bool locked) const
 {
-  auto& badge_list = locked ? m_locked_badges : m_locked_badges;
+  auto& badge_list = locked ? m_locked_badges : m_unlocked_badges;
   auto itr = badge_list.find(id);
-  return (itr == badge_list.end()) ? m_default_badge : itr->second;
+  return (itr != badge_list.end() && itr->second.data.size() > 0) ?
+             itr->second :
+             (locked ? m_default_locked_badge : m_default_unlocked_badge);
 }
 
 const AchievementManager::LeaderboardStatus*
@@ -330,7 +334,7 @@ AchievementManager::RichPresence AchievementManager::GetRichPresence() const
   return m_rich_presence;
 }
 
-const AchievementManager::NamedIconMap& AchievementManager::GetChallengeIcons() const
+const AchievementManager::NamedBadgeMap& AchievementManager::GetChallengeIcons() const
 {
   return m_active_challenges;
 }
@@ -393,7 +397,9 @@ void AchievementManager::CloseGame()
     {
       m_active_challenges.clear();
       m_active_leaderboards.clear();
-      m_game_badge.name.clear();
+      m_game_badge.width = 0;
+      m_game_badge.height = 0;
+      m_game_badge.data.clear();
       m_unlocked_badges.clear();
       m_locked_badges.clear();
       m_leaderboard_map.clear();
@@ -415,7 +421,9 @@ void AchievementManager::Logout()
   {
     std::lock_guard lg{m_lock};
     CloseGame();
-    m_player_badge.name.clear();
+    m_player_badge.width = 0;
+    m_player_badge.height = 0;
+    m_player_badge.data.clear();
     Config::SetBaseOrCurrent(Config::RA_API_TOKEN, "");
   }
 
@@ -500,6 +508,55 @@ void AchievementManager::FilereaderClose(void* file_handle)
   delete static_cast<FilereaderState*>(file_handle);
 }
 
+void AchievementManager::LoadDefaultBadges()
+{
+  std::lock_guard lg{m_lock};
+
+  std::string directory = File::GetSysDirectory() + DIR_SEP + RESOURCES_DIR + DIR_SEP;
+
+  if (m_default_player_badge.data.empty())
+  {
+    if (!LoadPNGTexture(&m_default_player_badge,
+                        fmt::format("{}{}", directory, DEFAULT_PLAYER_BADGE_FILENAME)))
+    {
+      ERROR_LOG_FMT(ACHIEVEMENTS, "Default player badge '{}' failed to load",
+                    DEFAULT_PLAYER_BADGE_FILENAME);
+    }
+  }
+  m_player_badge = m_default_player_badge;
+
+  if (m_default_game_badge.data.empty())
+  {
+    if (!LoadPNGTexture(&m_default_game_badge,
+                        fmt::format("{}{}", directory, DEFAULT_GAME_BADGE_FILENAME)))
+    {
+      ERROR_LOG_FMT(ACHIEVEMENTS, "Default game badge '{}' failed to load",
+                    DEFAULT_GAME_BADGE_FILENAME);
+    }
+  }
+  m_game_badge = m_default_game_badge;
+
+  if (m_default_unlocked_badge.data.empty())
+  {
+    if (!LoadPNGTexture(&m_default_unlocked_badge,
+                        fmt::format("{}{}", directory, DEFAULT_UNLOCKED_BADGE_FILENAME)))
+    {
+      ERROR_LOG_FMT(ACHIEVEMENTS, "Default unlocked achievement badge '{}' failed to load",
+                    DEFAULT_UNLOCKED_BADGE_FILENAME);
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (m_default_locked_badge.data.empty())
+  {
+    if (!LoadPNGTexture(&m_default_locked_badge,
+                        fmt::format("{}{}", directory, DEFAULT_LOCKED_BADGE_FILENAME)))
+    {
+      ERROR_LOG_FMT(ACHIEVEMENTS, "Default locked achievement badge '{}' failed to load",
+                    DEFAULT_LOCKED_BADGE_FILENAME);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 void AchievementManager::LoginCallback(int result, const char* error_message, rc_client_t* client,
                                        void* userdata)
 {
@@ -637,11 +694,8 @@ void AchievementManager::DisplayWelcomeMessage()
   m_display_welcome_message = false;
   const u32 color =
       rc_client_get_hardcore_enabled(m_client) ? OSD::Color::YELLOW : OSD::Color::CYAN;
-  if (Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED) && !m_game_badge.name.empty())
-  {
-    OSD::AddMessage("", OSD::Duration::VERY_LONG, OSD::Color::GREEN,
-                    DecodeBadgeToOSDIcon(m_game_badge.badge));
-  }
+
+  OSD::AddMessage("", OSD::Duration::VERY_LONG, OSD::Color::GREEN, &m_game_badge);
   auto info = rc_client_get_game_info(m_client);
   if (!info)
   {
@@ -671,17 +725,13 @@ void AchievementManager::DisplayWelcomeMessage()
 
 void AchievementManager::HandleAchievementTriggeredEvent(const rc_client_event_t* client_event)
 {
+  const auto& instance = AchievementManager::GetInstance();
   OSD::AddMessage(fmt::format("Unlocked: {} ({})", client_event->achievement->title,
                               client_event->achievement->points),
                   OSD::Duration::VERY_LONG,
-                  (rc_client_get_hardcore_enabled(AchievementManager::GetInstance().m_client)) ?
-                      OSD::Color::YELLOW :
-                      OSD::Color::CYAN,
-                  (Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED)) ?
-                      DecodeBadgeToOSDIcon(AchievementManager::GetInstance()
-                                               .m_unlocked_badges[client_event->achievement->id]
-                                               .badge) :
-                      nullptr);
+                  (rc_client_get_hardcore_enabled(instance.m_client)) ? OSD::Color::YELLOW :
+                                                                        OSD::Color::CYAN,
+                  &instance.GetAchievementBadge(client_event->achievement->id, false));
 }
 
 void AchievementManager::HandleLeaderboardStartedEvent(const rc_client_event_t* client_event)
@@ -738,16 +788,9 @@ void AchievementManager::HandleLeaderboardTrackerHideEvent(const rc_client_event
 void AchievementManager::HandleAchievementChallengeIndicatorShowEvent(
     const rc_client_event_t* client_event)
 {
-  if (Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED))
-  {
-    auto& unlocked_badges = AchievementManager::GetInstance().m_unlocked_badges;
-    if (const auto unlocked_iter = unlocked_badges.find(client_event->achievement->id);
-        unlocked_iter != unlocked_badges.end())
-    {
-      AchievementManager::GetInstance().m_active_challenges[client_event->achievement->badge_name] =
-          DecodeBadgeToOSDIcon(unlocked_iter->second.badge);
-    }
-  }
+  auto& instance = AchievementManager::GetInstance();
+  instance.m_active_challenges[client_event->achievement->badge_name] =
+      &AchievementManager::GetInstance().GetAchievementBadge(client_event->achievement->id, false);
 }
 
 void AchievementManager::HandleAchievementChallengeIndicatorHideEvent(
@@ -760,14 +803,11 @@ void AchievementManager::HandleAchievementChallengeIndicatorHideEvent(
 void AchievementManager::HandleAchievementProgressIndicatorShowEvent(
     const rc_client_event_t* client_event)
 {
+  const auto& instance = AchievementManager::GetInstance();
   OSD::AddMessage(fmt::format("{} {}", client_event->achievement->title,
                               client_event->achievement->measured_progress),
                   OSD::Duration::SHORT, OSD::Color::GREEN,
-                  (Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED)) ?
-                      DecodeBadgeToOSDIcon(AchievementManager::GetInstance()
-                                               .m_unlocked_badges[client_event->achievement->id]
-                                               .badge) :
-                      nullptr);
+                  &instance.GetAchievementBadge(client_event->achievement->id, false));
 }
 
 void AchievementManager::HandleGameCompletedEvent(const rc_client_event_t* client_event,
@@ -784,9 +824,7 @@ void AchievementManager::HandleGameCompletedEvent(const rc_client_event_t* clien
   OSD::AddMessage(fmt::format("Congratulations! {} has {} {}", user_info->display_name,
                               hardcore ? "mastered" : "completed", game_info->title),
                   OSD::Duration::VERY_LONG, hardcore ? OSD::Color::YELLOW : OSD::Color::CYAN,
-                  (Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED)) ?
-                      DecodeBadgeToOSDIcon(AchievementManager::GetInstance().m_game_badge.badge) :
-                      nullptr);
+                  &AchievementManager::GetInstance().m_game_badge);
 }
 
 void AchievementManager::HandleResetEvent(const rc_client_event_t* client_event)
@@ -801,20 +839,6 @@ void AchievementManager::HandleServerErrorEvent(const rc_client_event_t* client_
                 client_event->server_error->api, client_event->server_error->error_message);
 }
 
-static std::unique_ptr<OSD::Icon> DecodeBadgeToOSDIcon(const AchievementManager::Badge& badge)
-{
-  if (badge.empty())
-    return nullptr;
-
-  auto icon = std::make_unique<OSD::Icon>();
-  if (!Common::LoadPNG(badge, &icon->rgba_data, &icon->width, &icon->height))
-  {
-    ERROR_LOG_FMT(ACHIEVEMENTS, "Error decoding badge.");
-    return nullptr;
-  }
-  return icon;
-}
-
 void AchievementManager::Request(const rc_api_request_t* request,
                                  rc_client_server_callback_t callback, void* callback_data,
                                  rc_client_t* client)
@@ -876,11 +900,11 @@ u32 AchievementManager::MemoryPeeker(u32 address, u8* buffer, u32 num_bytes, rc_
   return num_bytes;
 }
 
-void AchievementManager::FetchBadge(AchievementManager::BadgeStatus* badge, u32 badge_type,
+void AchievementManager::FetchBadge(AchievementManager::Badge* badge, u32 badge_type,
                                     const AchievementManager::BadgeNameFunction function,
                                     const UpdatedItems callback_data)
 {
-  if (!m_client || !HasAPIToken() || !Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED))
+  if (!m_client || !HasAPIToken())
   {
     m_update_callback(callback_data);
     if (m_display_welcome_message && badge_type == RC_IMAGE_TYPE_GAME)
@@ -923,7 +947,6 @@ void AchievementManager::FetchBadge(AchievementManager::BadgeStatus* badge, u32
     }
 
     rc_api_destroy_request(&api_request);
-    fetched_badge = std::move(*http_response);
 
     INFO_LOG_FMT(ACHIEVEMENTS, "Successfully downloaded badge id {}.", name_to_fetch);
     std::lock_guard lg{m_lock};
@@ -932,8 +955,12 @@ void AchievementManager::FetchBadge(AchievementManager::BadgeStatus* badge, u32
       INFO_LOG_FMT(ACHIEVEMENTS, "Requested outdated badge id {}.", name_to_fetch);
       return;
     }
-    badge->badge = std::move(fetched_badge);
-    badge->name = std::move(name_to_fetch);
+
+    if (!LoadPNGTexture(badge, *http_response))
+    {
+      ERROR_LOG_FMT(ACHIEVEMENTS, "Default game badge '{}' failed to load",
+                    DEFAULT_GAME_BADGE_FILENAME);
+    }
 
     m_update_callback(callback_data);
   });
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/AchievementManager.h b/Source/Core/Core/AchievementManager.h
index 5d133e023f..3fdb5b2591 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/AchievementManager.h
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/AchievementManager.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include "Common/HttpRequest.h"
 #include "Common/WorkQueueThread.h"
 #include "DiscIO/Volume.h"
+#include "VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.h"
 
 namespace Core
 {
@@ -29,11 +30,6 @@ class CPUThreadGuard;
 class System;
 }  // namespace Core
 
-namespace OSD
-{
-struct Icon;
-}
-
 class AchievementManager
 {
 public:
@@ -47,16 +43,14 @@ public:
   using LeaderboardRank = u32;
   static constexpr size_t RP_SIZE = 256;
   using RichPresence = std::array<char, RP_SIZE>;
-  using Badge = std::vector<u8>;
-  using NamedIconMap = std::map<std::string, std::unique_ptr<OSD::Icon>, std::less<>>;
+  using Badge = VideoCommon::CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level;
+  using NamedBadgeMap = std::unordered_map<std::string, const Badge*>;
   static constexpr size_t MAX_DISPLAYED_LBOARDS = 4;
 
-  struct BadgeStatus
-  {
-    std::string name = "";
-    Badge badge{};
-  };
-
+  static constexpr std::string_view DEFAULT_PLAYER_BADGE_FILENAME = "achievements_player.png";
+  static constexpr std::string_view DEFAULT_GAME_BADGE_FILENAME = "achievements_game.png";
+  static constexpr std::string_view DEFAULT_LOCKED_BADGE_FILENAME = "achievements_locked.png";
+  static constexpr std::string_view DEFAULT_UNLOCKED_BADGE_FILENAME = "achievements_unlocked.png";
   static constexpr std::string_view GRAY = "transparent";
   static constexpr std::string_view GOLD = "#FFD700";
   static constexpr std::string_view BLUE = "#0B71C1";
@@ -108,15 +102,15 @@ public:
   void SetSpectatorMode();
   std::string_view GetPlayerDisplayName() const;
   u32 GetPlayerScore() const;
-  const BadgeStatus& GetPlayerBadge() const;
+  const Badge& GetPlayerBadge() const;
   std::string_view GetGameDisplayName() const;
   rc_client_t* GetClient();
   rc_api_fetch_game_data_response_t* GetGameData();
-  const BadgeStatus& GetGameBadge() const;
-  const BadgeStatus& GetAchievementBadge(AchievementId id, bool locked) const;
+  const Badge& GetGameBadge() const;
+  const Badge& GetAchievementBadge(AchievementId id, bool locked) const;
   const LeaderboardStatus* GetLeaderboardInfo(AchievementId leaderboard_id);
   RichPresence GetRichPresence() const;
-  const NamedIconMap& GetChallengeIcons() const;
+  const NamedBadgeMap& GetChallengeIcons() const;
   std::vector<std::string> GetActiveLeaderboards() const;
 
   void DoState(PointerWrap& p);
@@ -134,8 +128,6 @@ private:
     std::unique_ptr<DiscIO::Volume> volume;
   };
 
-  const BadgeStatus m_default_badge;
-
   static void* FilereaderOpenByFilepath(const char* path_utf8);
   static void* FilereaderOpenByVolume(const char* path_utf8);
   static void FilereaderSeek(void* file_handle, int64_t offset, int origin);
@@ -143,6 +135,7 @@ private:
   static size_t FilereaderRead(void* file_handle, void* buffer, size_t requested_bytes);
   static void FilereaderClose(void* file_handle);
 
+  void LoadDefaultBadges();
   static void LoginCallback(int result, const char* error_message, rc_client_t* client,
                             void* userdata);
 
@@ -177,7 +170,7 @@ private:
   static void Request(const rc_api_request_t* request, rc_client_server_callback_t callback,
                       void* callback_data, rc_client_t* client);
   static u32 MemoryPeeker(u32 address, u8* buffer, u32 num_bytes, rc_client_t* client);
-  void FetchBadge(BadgeStatus* badge, u32 badge_type, const BadgeNameFunction function,
+  void FetchBadge(Badge* badge, u32 badge_type, const BadgeNameFunction function,
                   const UpdatedItems callback_data);
   static void EventHandler(const rc_client_event_t* event, rc_client_t* client);
 
@@ -187,20 +180,24 @@ private:
   bool m_is_runtime_initialized = false;
   UpdateCallback m_update_callback = [](const UpdatedItems&) {};
   std::unique_ptr<DiscIO::Volume> m_loading_volume;
-  BadgeStatus m_player_badge;
+  Badge m_default_player_badge;
+  Badge m_default_game_badge;
+  Badge m_default_unlocked_badge;
+  Badge m_default_locked_badge;
+  Badge m_player_badge;
   Hash m_game_hash{};
   u32 m_game_id = 0;
   rc_api_fetch_game_data_response_t m_game_data{};
   bool m_is_game_loaded = false;
-  BadgeStatus m_game_badge;
+  Badge m_game_badge;
   bool m_display_welcome_message = false;
-  std::unordered_map<AchievementId, BadgeStatus> m_unlocked_badges;
-  std::unordered_map<AchievementId, BadgeStatus> m_locked_badges;
+  std::unordered_map<AchievementId, Badge> m_unlocked_badges;
+  std::unordered_map<AchievementId, Badge> m_locked_badges;
   RichPresence m_rich_presence;
   std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point m_last_rp_time = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
 
   std::unordered_map<AchievementId, LeaderboardStatus> m_leaderboard_map;
-  NamedIconMap m_active_challenges;
+  NamedBadgeMap m_active_challenges;
   std::vector<rc_client_leaderboard_tracker_t> m_active_leaderboards;
 
   Common::WorkQueueThread<std::function<void()>> m_queue;
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/Config/AchievementSettings.cpp b/Source/Core/Core/Config/AchievementSettings.cpp
index 1e20729bdd..63945777cb 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/Config/AchievementSettings.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/Config/AchievementSettings.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ const Info<bool> RA_DISCORD_PRESENCE_ENABLED{
     {System::Achievements, "Achievements", "DiscordPresenceEnabled"}, false};
 const Info<bool> RA_PROGRESS_ENABLED{{System::Achievements, "Achievements", "ProgressEnabled"},
                                      false};
-const Info<bool> RA_BADGES_ENABLED{{System::Achievements, "Achievements", "BadgesEnabled"}, false};
 }  // namespace Config
 
 #endif  // USE_RETRO_ACHIEVEMENTS
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/Config/AchievementSettings.h b/Source/Core/Core/Config/AchievementSettings.h
index ae2ecbc8b6..f1552ec59c 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/Config/AchievementSettings.h
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/Config/AchievementSettings.h
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ extern const Info<bool> RA_ENCORE_ENABLED;
 extern const Info<bool> RA_SPECTATOR_ENABLED;
 extern const Info<bool> RA_DISCORD_PRESENCE_ENABLED;
 extern const Info<bool> RA_PROGRESS_ENABLED;
-extern const Info<bool> RA_BADGES_ENABLED;
 }  // namespace Config
 
 #endif  // USE_RETRO_ACHIEVEMENTS
diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementBox.cpp b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementBox.cpp
index 534b965d78..4b54851b39 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementBox.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementBox.cpp
@@ -61,22 +61,11 @@ void AchievementBox::UpdateData()
     color = AchievementManager::GOLD;
   else if (m_achievement->unlocked & RC_CLIENT_ACHIEVEMENT_UNLOCKED_SOFTCORE)
     color = AchievementManager::BLUE;
-  if (Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED) && badge.name != "")
-  {
-    QImage i_badge{};
-    if (i_badge.loadFromData(&badge.badge.front(), static_cast<int>(badge.badge.size())))
-    {
-      m_badge->setPixmap(QPixmap::fromImage(i_badge).scaled(64, 64, Qt::KeepAspectRatio,
-                                                            Qt::SmoothTransformation));
-      m_badge->adjustSize();
-      m_badge->setStyleSheet(
-          QStringLiteral("border: 4px solid %1").arg(QtUtils::FromStdString(color)));
-    }
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    m_badge->setText({});
-  }
+  QImage i_badge(&badge.data.front(), badge.width, badge.height, QImage::Format_RGBA8888);
+  m_badge->setPixmap(
+      QPixmap::fromImage(i_badge).scaled(64, 64, Qt::KeepAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation));
+  m_badge->adjustSize();
+  m_badge->setStyleSheet(QStringLiteral("border: 4px solid %1").arg(QtUtils::FromStdString(color)));
 
   if (m_achievement->state == RC_CLIENT_ACHIEVEMENT_STATE_UNLOCKED)
   {
diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementHeaderWidget.cpp b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementHeaderWidget.cpp
index c148714171..c1976e2752 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementHeaderWidget.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementHeaderWidget.cpp
@@ -68,24 +68,20 @@ void AchievementHeaderWidget::UpdateData()
 
   QString user_name = QtUtils::FromStdString(instance.GetPlayerDisplayName());
   QString game_name = QtUtils::FromStdString(instance.GetGameDisplayName());
-  AchievementManager::BadgeStatus player_badge = instance.GetPlayerBadge();
-  AchievementManager::BadgeStatus game_badge = instance.GetGameBadge();
+  const AchievementManager::Badge& player_badge = instance.GetPlayerBadge();
+  const AchievementManager::Badge& game_badge = instance.GetGameBadge();
 
   m_user_icon->setVisible(false);
   m_user_icon->clear();
   m_user_icon->setText({});
-  if (Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED) && !player_badge.name.empty())
-  {
-    QImage i_user_icon{};
-    if (i_user_icon.loadFromData(&player_badge.badge.front(), (int)player_badge.badge.size()))
-    {
-      m_user_icon->setPixmap(QPixmap::fromImage(i_user_icon)
-                                 .scaled(64, 64, Qt::KeepAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation));
-      m_user_icon->adjustSize();
-      m_user_icon->setStyleSheet(QStringLiteral("border: 4px solid transparent"));
-      m_user_icon->setVisible(true);
-    }
-  }
+  QImage i_user_icon(&player_badge.data.front(), player_badge.width, player_badge.height,
+                     QImage::Format_RGBA8888);
+  m_user_icon->setPixmap(QPixmap::fromImage(i_user_icon)
+                             .scaled(64, 64, Qt::KeepAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation));
+  m_user_icon->adjustSize();
+  m_user_icon->setStyleSheet(QStringLiteral("border: 4px solid transparent"));
+  m_user_icon->setVisible(true);
+
   m_game_icon->setVisible(false);
   m_game_icon->clear();
   m_game_icon->setText({});
@@ -94,26 +90,19 @@ void AchievementHeaderWidget::UpdateData()
   {
     rc_client_user_game_summary_t game_summary;
     rc_client_get_user_game_summary(instance.GetClient(), &game_summary);
-
-    if (Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED) && !game_badge.name.empty())
+    QImage i_game_icon(&game_badge.data.front(), game_badge.width, game_badge.height,
+                       QImage::Format_RGBA8888);
+    m_game_icon->setPixmap(QPixmap::fromImage(i_game_icon)
+                               .scaled(64, 64, Qt::KeepAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation));
+    m_game_icon->adjustSize();
+    std::string_view color = AchievementManager::GRAY;
+    if (game_summary.num_core_achievements == game_summary.num_unlocked_achievements)
     {
-      QImage i_game_icon{};
-      if (i_game_icon.loadFromData(&game_badge.badge.front(), (int)game_badge.badge.size()))
-      {
-        m_game_icon->setPixmap(QPixmap::fromImage(i_game_icon)
-                                   .scaled(64, 64, Qt::KeepAspectRatio, Qt::SmoothTransformation));
-        m_game_icon->adjustSize();
-        std::string_view color = AchievementManager::GRAY;
-        if (game_summary.num_core_achievements == game_summary.num_unlocked_achievements)
-        {
-          color =
-              instance.IsHardcoreModeActive() ? AchievementManager::GOLD : AchievementManager::BLUE;
-        }
-        m_game_icon->setStyleSheet(
-            QStringLiteral("border: 4px solid %1").arg(QtUtils::FromStdString(color)));
-        m_game_icon->setVisible(true);
-      }
+      color = instance.IsHardcoreModeActive() ? AchievementManager::GOLD : AchievementManager::BLUE;
     }
+    m_game_icon->setStyleSheet(
+        QStringLiteral("border: 4px solid %1").arg(QtUtils::FromStdString(color)));
+    m_game_icon->setVisible(true);
 
     m_name->setText(tr("%1 is playing %2").arg(user_name).arg(game_name));
     m_points->setText(tr("%1 has unlocked %2/%3 achievements worth %4/%5 points")
diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementSettingsWidget.cpp b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementSettingsWidget.cpp
index 62f6a1e0cb..5b8a07d24f 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementSettingsWidget.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementSettingsWidget.cpp
@@ -105,11 +105,6 @@ void AchievementSettingsWidget::CreateLayout()
       tr("Enable progress notifications on achievements.<br><br>Displays a brief popup message "
          "whenever the player makes progress on an achievement that tracks an accumulated value, "
          "such as 60 out of 120 stars."));
-  m_common_badges_enabled_input = new ToolTipCheckBox(tr("Enable Achievement Badges"));
-  m_common_badges_enabled_input->SetDescription(
-      tr("Enable achievement badges.<br><br>Displays icons for the player, game, and achievements. "
-         "Simple visual option, but will require a small amount of extra memory and time to "
-         "download the images."));
 
   m_common_layout->addWidget(m_common_integration_enabled_input);
   m_common_layout->addWidget(m_common_username_label);
@@ -129,7 +124,6 @@ void AchievementSettingsWidget::CreateLayout()
   m_common_layout->addWidget(m_common_discord_presence_enabled_input);
 #endif  // USE_DISCORD_PRESENCE
   m_common_layout->addWidget(m_common_progress_enabled_input);
-  m_common_layout->addWidget(m_common_badges_enabled_input);
 
   m_common_layout->setAlignment(Qt::AlignTop);
   setLayout(m_common_layout);
@@ -153,8 +147,6 @@ void AchievementSettingsWidget::ConnectWidgets()
           &AchievementSettingsWidget::ToggleDiscordPresence);
   connect(m_common_progress_enabled_input, &QCheckBox::toggled, this,
           &AchievementSettingsWidget::ToggleProgress);
-  connect(m_common_badges_enabled_input, &QCheckBox::toggled, this,
-          &AchievementSettingsWidget::ToggleBadges);
 }
 
 void AchievementSettingsWidget::OnControllerInterfaceConfigure()
@@ -214,9 +206,6 @@ void AchievementSettingsWidget::LoadSettings()
   SignalBlocking(m_common_progress_enabled_input)
       ->setChecked(Config::Get(Config::RA_PROGRESS_ENABLED));
   SignalBlocking(m_common_progress_enabled_input)->setEnabled(enabled);
-
-  SignalBlocking(m_common_badges_enabled_input)->setChecked(Config::Get(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED));
-  SignalBlocking(m_common_badges_enabled_input)->setEnabled(enabled);
 }
 
 void AchievementSettingsWidget::SaveSettings()
@@ -235,7 +224,6 @@ void AchievementSettingsWidget::SaveSettings()
                            m_common_discord_presence_enabled_input->isChecked());
   Config::SetBaseOrCurrent(Config::RA_PROGRESS_ENABLED,
                            m_common_progress_enabled_input->isChecked());
-  Config::SetBaseOrCurrent(Config::RA_BADGES_ENABLED, m_common_badges_enabled_input->isChecked());
   Config::Save();
 }
 
@@ -308,11 +296,4 @@ void AchievementSettingsWidget::ToggleProgress()
   SaveSettings();
 }
 
-void AchievementSettingsWidget::ToggleBadges()
-{
-  SaveSettings();
-  AchievementManager::GetInstance().FetchPlayerBadge();
-  AchievementManager::GetInstance().FetchGameBadges();
-}
-
 #endif  // USE_RETRO_ACHIEVEMENTS
diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementSettingsWidget.h b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementSettingsWidget.h
index b8e848c2d1..8d4aa03c2a 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementSettingsWidget.h
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Achievements/AchievementSettingsWidget.h
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ private:
   void ToggleSpectator();
   void ToggleDiscordPresence();
   void ToggleProgress();
-  void ToggleBadges();
 
   QGroupBox* m_common_box;
   QVBoxLayout* m_common_layout;
@@ -56,7 +55,6 @@ private:
   ToolTipCheckBox* m_common_spectator_enabled_input;
   ToolTipCheckBox* m_common_discord_presence_enabled_input;
   ToolTipCheckBox* m_common_progress_enabled_input;
-  ToolTipCheckBox* m_common_badges_enabled_input;
 };
 
 #endif  // USE_RETRO_ACHIEVEMENTS
diff --git a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.cpp b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.cpp
index 23af429d11..d30532142a 100644
--- a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.cpp
@@ -574,6 +574,14 @@ bool LoadPNGTexture(CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* level, const std::stri
   std::vector<u8> buffer(file.GetSize());
   file.ReadBytes(buffer.data(), file.GetSize());
 
+  return LoadPNGTexture(level, buffer);
+}
+
+bool LoadPNGTexture(CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* level, const std::vector<u8>& buffer)
+{
+  if (!level) [[unlikely]]
+    return false;
+
   if (!Common::LoadPNG(buffer, &level->data, &level->width, &level->height))
     return false;
 
diff --git a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.h b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.h
index fe15c05eaa..32607f4e88 100644
--- a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.h
+++ b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.h
@@ -33,4 +33,5 @@ bool LoadDDSTexture(CustomTextureData* texture, const std::string& filename);
 bool LoadDDSTexture(CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* level, const std::string& filename,
                     u32 mip_level);
 bool LoadPNGTexture(CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* level, const std::string& filename);
+bool LoadPNGTexture(CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* level, const std::vector<u8>& buffer);
 }  // namespace VideoCommon
diff --git a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.cpp b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.cpp
index bfa8bc5321..c24fee6538 100644
--- a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
 #include "VideoCommon/AbstractGfx.h"
 #include "VideoCommon/AbstractTexture.h"
+#include "VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.h"
 #include "VideoCommon/TextureConfig.h"
 
 namespace OSD
@@ -36,8 +37,9 @@ static std::atomic<int> s_obscured_pixels_top = 0;
 struct Message
 {
   Message() = default;
-  Message(std::string text_, u32 duration_, u32 color_, std::unique_ptr<Icon> icon_ = nullptr)
-      : text(std::move(text_)), duration(duration_), color(color_), icon(std::move(icon_))
+  Message(std::string text_, u32 duration_, u32 color_,
+          const VideoCommon::CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* icon_ = nullptr)
+      : text(std::move(text_)), duration(duration_), color(color_), icon(icon_)
   {
     timer.Start();
   }
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ struct Message
   bool ever_drawn = false;
   bool should_discard = false;
   u32 color = 0;
-  std::unique_ptr<Icon> icon;
+  const VideoCommon::CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* icon;
   std::unique_ptr<AbstractTexture> texture;
 };
 static std::multimap<MessageType, Message> s_messages;
@@ -95,13 +97,13 @@ static float DrawMessage(int index, Message& msg, const ImVec2& position, int ti
         msg.texture = g_gfx->CreateTexture(tex_config);
         if (msg.texture)
         {
-          msg.texture->Load(0, width, height, width, msg.icon->rgba_data.data(),
+          msg.texture->Load(0, width, height, width, msg.icon->data.data(),
                             sizeof(u32) * width * height);
         }
         else
         {
           // don't try again next time
-          msg.icon.reset();
+          msg.icon = nullptr;
         }
       }
 
@@ -127,7 +129,7 @@ static float DrawMessage(int index, Message& msg, const ImVec2& position, int ti
 }
 
 void AddTypedMessage(MessageType type, std::string message, u32 ms, u32 argb,
-                     std::unique_ptr<Icon> icon)
+                     const VideoCommon::CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* icon)
 {
   std::lock_guard lock{s_messages_mutex};
 
@@ -141,7 +143,8 @@ void AddTypedMessage(MessageType type, std::string message, u32 ms, u32 argb,
   s_messages.emplace(type, Message(std::move(message), ms, argb, std::move(icon)));
 }
 
-void AddMessage(std::string message, u32 ms, u32 argb, std::unique_ptr<Icon> icon)
+void AddMessage(std::string message, u32 ms, u32 argb,
+                const VideoCommon::CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* icon)
 {
   std::lock_guard lock{s_messages_mutex};
   s_messages.emplace(MessageType::Typeless, Message(std::move(message), ms, argb, std::move(icon)));
diff --git a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.h b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.h
index f566eb0bf1..33d8662744 100644
--- a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.h
+++ b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenDisplay.h
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 
 #include "Common/CommonTypes.h"
 
+#include "VideoCommon/Assets/CustomTextureData.h"
+
 namespace OSD
 {
 enum class MessageType
@@ -37,18 +39,12 @@ constexpr u32 NORMAL = 5000;
 constexpr u32 VERY_LONG = 10000;
 };  // namespace Duration
 
-struct Icon
-{
-  std::vector<u8> rgba_data;
-  u32 width = 0;
-  u32 height = 0;
-};  // struct Icon
-
 // On-screen message display (colored yellow by default)
 void AddMessage(std::string message, u32 ms = Duration::SHORT, u32 argb = Color::YELLOW,
-                std::unique_ptr<Icon> icon = nullptr);
+                const VideoCommon::CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* icon = nullptr);
 void AddTypedMessage(MessageType type, std::string message, u32 ms = Duration::SHORT,
-                     u32 argb = Color::YELLOW, std::unique_ptr<Icon> icon = nullptr);
+                     u32 argb = Color::YELLOW,
+                     const VideoCommon::CustomTextureData::ArraySlice::Level* icon = nullptr);
 
 // Draw the current messages on the screen. Only call once per frame.
 void DrawMessages();
diff --git a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenUI.cpp b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenUI.cpp
index 8f85db85b0..1231851c9a 100644
--- a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenUI.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/OnScreenUI.cpp
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ void OnScreenUI::DrawChallengesAndLeaderboards()
         TextureConfig tex_config(width, height, 1, 1, 1, AbstractTextureFormat::RGBA8, 0,
                                  AbstractTextureType::Texture_2DArray);
         auto res = m_challenge_texture_map.insert_or_assign(name, g_gfx->CreateTexture(tex_config));
-        res.first->second->Load(0, width, height, width, icon->rgba_data.data(),
+        res.first->second->Load(0, width, height, width, icon->data.data(),
                                 sizeof(u32) * width * height);
       }
       for (auto& [name, texture] : m_challenge_texture_map)