Best Linux Distro for Gaming 2025: Play Games Like a Pro

Computer gaming has become an important part of the youth. Many games are developed specifically for Microsoft Windows, but you can also utilize Linux for gaming, and almost all distros allow gaming. Gaming on Linux has undergone significant improvement over the last few years. There are many Linux distros for gaming.

Every day, the number of distros is growing. But how do you determine which distro is for gaming? Perhaps you are a little confused? Do not worry, we are about to provide some tips to help you select the best Linux distro for gaming. In the next section, we’ll provide a list of the best Linux distro for gaming. Let’s get started with the article.

Best Linux Distro for Gaming

1. SteamOS

SteamOS is always top of every Linux gaming distro’s list because it was designed to be a gaming environment. It is pre-installed by Steam and is built on Debian. SteamOS is designed, developed, and maintained by Valve. By default, SteamOS comes with Steam installed.

However, you can enable SteamOS’s “desktop mode,” which provides a full-featured desktop OS, allowing you to run other apps in addition to Steam as well as games. SteamOS comes with everything necessary, which means you don’t have to install or configure anything to play games on Steam. This is the most highly recommended and best Linux distro for gaming.

Pros

• Built specifically for gaming
• Steam is pre-installed and optimized
• Minimum setup required — plug & play
• Desktop mode allows regular Linux use

Cons

• Focused mainly on Steam games
• Limited software selection outside Steam
• Hardware compatibility can vary on older systems

Also read: How to Fix Steam Disk Read Error in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

2. Ubuntu GamePack

Ubuntu GamePack is the most popular Gaming Linux OS based on Ubuntu. It’s similar in design to the Ubuntu distribution. However, it’s far more powerful than the regular Ubuntu Distro. It’s a gaming-focused distro that can run Linux, Windows, and Steam games effortlessly. It allows you to run Steam, Windows, and other console games on your computer. It is pre-installed with software such as Wine, PlayOnLinux, Steam Client, and Lutris.

Pros

• Supports Linux, Windows & Steam games
• Comes with Wine, Lutris & PlayOnLinux pre-installed
• User-friendly for beginners familiar with Ubuntu
• Great general-purpose desktop performance

Cons

• Heavier compared to lightweight distros
• Can still require tweaking for newer GPUs
• UI is similar to standard Ubuntu (not gaming-themed)

3. Play Linux

Play Linux is the best Linux distro for gaming, which comes with Steam and PlayOnLinux applications already installed. It automatically detects your graphics card specifications, configures them to match, and installs drivers for your graphics card, so you don’t need to download and install the Graphics driver through Terminal or any other program installer. It makes the process simpler for you to.

Pros

• GPU drivers auto-detected and installed
• Steam + PlayOnLinux built-in
• Very easy setup — beginner friendly
• Lightweight and responsive

Cons

• Development progress is slower
• Limited support for newer/AAA titles
• Community is smaller than Ubuntu & Manjaro

4. Game Drift Linux

Game Drift Linux is a new Linux distro for gaming, based on Ubuntu Linux. It is designed to give you the best gaming experience when playing on Linux. It is possible to play over 1,200 top Windows games directly within the Game Drift Linux distro, thanks to the integrated CrossOver Games technology from American Codeweavers, and support for the latest games is regularly added to. There are many popular titles to play, such as Need for Speed Most Wanted, Counter-Strike Source, Hitman, and many more amazing games.

Pros

• Runs 1200+ Windows games via CrossOver
• Optimized for gaming performance
• Supports popular titles like NFS, Hitman, CS
• Regular game compatibility updates

Cons

• Not completely free to use (CrossOver is commercial)
• Smaller community support
• Fewer desktop customization options

5. Manjaro Gaming Edition

MGAMe (previously called Manjaro Gaming) is an OS designed to provide gamers with the excitement of Manjaro. It will automatically install essential drivers for the most well-known Graphics cards. It also offers various tweaks to ensure an optimal gaming experience. It comes with a range of open-source programs frequently used by gamers, including a video editor, game recording, streaming software, chat tools, screenshot software, etc.

A wide selection of console emulators is pre-installed by mGAMe. To run Windows games, Wine & PlayOnLinux are included. However, to enjoy Steam games, you need to install the Steam client. This is a significant issue for Arch Linux-based distributions as Steam Arch is not officially supported.

Pros

• Auto-hardware driver installation
• Comes with recording tools, editors & emulators
• Wine + PlayOnLinux included
• Rolling-release = always the latest drivers

Cons

• Steam not pre-installed & Arch support unofficial
• Rolling updates can occasionally break systems
• Advanced features may confuse beginners

6. Fedora – Games Spin

Fedora Games Spin is a perfect example of Fedora’s capabilities for gaming. Fedora Games Spin comes with thousands of Linux games. Steam clients, Wine, or PlayOnLinux are not included by default. To ensure Steam and Windows games work, you’ll have to install them manually through your package manager. Certain pre-installed games require additional information to download before playing.

Pros

• Thousands of native Linux games pre-installed
• Strong performance and stability
• Good choice for open-source gaming

Cons

• Steam/Wine must be installed manually
• Native Linux game library isn’t enough for AAA gamers
• Not ideal for Windows-heavy titles

7. SparkyLinux – GameOver Edition

At 3.8GB, the Debian-based version of SparkyLinux comes with some tricks up its sleeves. With it, you can install Steam Wine, SparkyLinux, and PlayOnLinux, which allows you to enjoy the latest games. SparkyLinux also comes with APTus Gamer. APTus Gamer offers an easy method for installing game console emulators and other useful tools for gamers.

There are emulators available that work with Atari, PlayStation, and even DOS. SparkyLinux also comes with the Lutris gaming platform, which lets you install and manage your games using a unified interface. Through this interface, you can view all of your Linux, Windows, Steam, and browser games.

Pros

• Includes Steam, Lutris, Wine & PlayOnLinux support
• APTus Gamer for ultra-easy emulator installation
• Supports Atari, PS, DOS & retro consoles
• Good balance of size and gaming tools

Cons

• Slightly larger ISO (3.8GB)
• Interface not as polished as Ubuntu/Solus
• Updates & support rely heavily on the Debian base

8. Solus

In the last calendar year, Solus has been made into a distro with rolling releases. This means you’ll receive the most up-to-date software, with all the latest updates. Solus looks fantastic, especially using its Budgie desktop experience. It has all the features you need for an OS that supports gaming, media playback, and browsing.

There’s an official Steam integration available for Solus, which can greatly assist you in setting up and configuring Steam on your Linux system. It’s built on the Linux kernel. However, it’s independent of other distros such as Ubuntu and Fedora.

Pros

• Rolling release ensures the latest updates & drivers
• Clean + beautiful Budgie desktop environment
• Official Steam integration
• Good for everyday use + gaming combo

Cons

• Smaller community and fewer guides available
• Less third-party software support than Ubuntu
• Occasional stability issues with rolling updates

Also read: Best Android Emulator for PC & Mac (2025 Edition)

9. Lakka

Lakka is the best Linux distro for gaming, transforming an ordinary PC into a full-blown retro gaming console. It is based on the well-known RetroArch emulator. It can emulate various systems and comes with beneficial features, such as auto-recognizing joypads, automatic rewinding shaders, and netplay. It is optimized to run at high speed even on computers with low specs and supports many USB joypads. To avoid any copyright issues, no game is pre-installed for this system.

Pros

• Perfect for retro & console gaming lovers
• Very lightweight — runs on low-end PCs
• Auto-joypad recognition + console-like UI
• Includes shaders, rewind, and netplay

Cons

• No games included due to copyright restrictions
• Not suitable for modern PC titles
• Limited desktop functionality (gaming console only)

How to choose the best Linux distro for gaming

• Check GPU Driver Support (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel) for smooth FPS and performance.
• Choose a distro with Steam, Proton, Lutris & Wine compatibility for Linux + Windows games.
• Decide between Rolling Release (latest drivers) or Stable Release (more reliable).
• Prefer distros with built-in gaming tools, emulators, and performance tweaks.
• Test with a Live USB before installing to check game performance & hardware detection.
• Look for strong community support, frequent updates & available documentation.
• Lightweight desktops like XFCE or KDE boost performance on low-end hardware.
• Confirm support for game controllers, joysticks & external peripherals.

Final Remarks

A Linux gaming distro is designed for hardcore gamers. In turn, it includes a range of games, drivers for graphics cards, and game controllers. It is possible to say that any Linux distro can be turned into a game console with minimal effort. It is feasible because many Linux distros support every type of graphics card. The best Linux distro for gaming ensures flexibility, speed, and reliability for both casual and pro gamers alike.

FAQs: Best Linux Distro for Gaming