6 best Linux distros for gaming

Here are the 6 best Linux distros for gaming!

1. SteamOS

SteamOS is a Debian-based Linux distribution that comes with Valve's Steam client, allowing you to play all Steam games. Steam OS's graphical environment is GNOME, a popular desktop environment highly customized in Steam OS to look even better.

SteamOS supports keyboards and joysticks, so it's a perfect solution for game lovers. SteamOS also supports desktop mode but you'll need to enable it from the Steam Settings menu. Go to Settings > Interface and select 'Enable access to the Linux desktop'. Now the exit button will have an option to switch to the Desktop.

Steam is equipped with a large number of game categories, from Racing, Strategy, Action to First Person Shooter, etc. Steam offers new games regularly, so if you don't find your favorite game, wait patiently, maybe the development team is preparing to make it available to you. Steam also has a large number of free games. Some of the best free Steam games are Team Fortress 2, Dota 2, Adventure Capitalist, Radiator 2, etc.

System Requirements for SteamOS:

1. Processor that supports Intel or AMD 64-bit.
2. RAM 4GB (or more).
3. Hard drive 200GB or more.
4. NVIDIA (Fermi graphics card or later), Intel or AMD graphics card (Radeon HD 5XXX or later)
5. USB port for installation.
6. Support UEFI boot.

Download SteamOS here.

2. Ubuntu GamePack

As the name of this distro suggests, Ubuntu GamePack is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It is loved for providing a large number of games. Unlike Steam OS, Ubuntu GamePack not only comes with Steam but also Lutris, PlayOnLinux and Wine to play Windows games on Linux. Ubuntu GamePack is a complete Linux distribution, which means you can install any other software package you need.

PlayOnLinux offers more than 747 Windows games. Wine allows you to install Windows games and applications, so if you already have a Windows game set up, just open it with Wine. Another platform Lutris has been included in Ubuntu GamePack 14.04 for gaming and management.

System requirements for GamePack:

1. RAM 2GB or more (4GB recommended)
2. 2.0GHz or higher processor (dual core and 64bit recommended)
3. Hard drive capacity 20GB or more
4. Pendrive/USB 4GB or DVD-RW for installation
5. Intel HD Graphics/AMD Radeon 8500 or better (Steam only)
6. Intel/Nvidia/AMD graphics card (casual game)

Download Ubuntu GamePack here.

3. Play Linux

Play Linux is another Ubuntu-based Linux distro for gaming. The team intends to provide an easily setupable or dual-boot playing environment with Windows. Play Linux comes with NVIDIA and AMD driver support. The distro is still in Beta but quite stable. However, you should use it carefully and be prepared to face some errors.

Play Linux uses the Cinnamon desktop environment, so it's very easy to use. Like other gaming Linux distributions, Play Linux also comes pre-installed with Wine, Winetricks, PlayOnLinux, and Play Linux Kosmos.

System requirements for Play Linux:

1. RAM 1GB or more (2GB recommended)
2. 2.0GHz or higher processor (dual core and 64bit recommended)
3. Hard drive space 10GB or more (20GB recommended)
4. Pendrive/USB 4GB or DVD-RW for installation
5. Intel HD Graphics/AMD Radeon 8500 Graphics Card or better (for Steam games)
6. Intel/Nvidia/AMD graphics card (regular Linux game)
7. Wired or wireless Internet connection

Download Play Linux here.

4. SparkyLinux GameOver

SparkyLinux GameOver is a gaming version from SparkyLinux. It is based on the stable branch of Debian and uses one of the lightest desktop environments, LXDE. LXDE is known for its simplicity and lightning speed. GameOver is full of classic and console games. If you like playing classic games then SparkyLinux GameOver is a distro for you. Despite having a very small collection of apps, there are plenty of games to enjoy in Sparky.

SparkyLinux Linux gaming is also shipped with Steam, PlayOnLinux and DOSbox. So besides the pre-installed games, you are equipped to install games on Steam and play DOS games with DOSbox.

System Requirements for SparkyLinux:

1. CPU i586/amd64
2. 256 MB of RAM (some games need more - 500 - 1000MB recommended)
3. Optical DVD drive or 4GB USB as Live installation media
4. 20GB of space to install on the hard drive (30GB recommended)
5. 16GB USB Flash/Pen for "normal" installation (32GB recommended)

Download SparyLinux GameOver here.

5. Fedora Game Spin

Who doesn't know Fedora? Fedora Game Spin is built for gamers with several games and tools available to install more games. Fedora Game Spin has the largest capacity (4GB) of all the distros mentioned in this list. Some of the popular pre-installed Linux games are Battle for Wesnoth, FreeCiv, Scorched 3D, SuperTuxKart, and Nethack.

Due to size restrictions, Steam and PlayOnLinux are not pre-installed but are available in the repositories. default repository, and a large number of games that you can directly install. To make Fedora Game Spin faster, this distro comes with the lightweight XFCE desktop environment.

System requirements for Fedora Game Spin:

1. RAM 1GB or more (2GB recommended)
2. Processor 2.0GHz or higher (64bit recommended)
3. Hard drive space 10GB or more (20GB recommended)
4. Pendrive/USB 8GB or DVD-RW for installation
5. Intel/Nvidia/AMD . Graphics Card
6. Wired or wireless Internet connection

Download Fedora Gaming Linux here.

6. Prof. Voyager

GS Voyager is well worth a try. It is based on Xubuntu. In addition to gaming, GS Voyager also includes useful applications for performing everyday tasks. But speaking of gaming, GS Voyager comes pre-installed with 8 games, Steam, Wine-Staging, Winetricks, Gnome Twitch for game guide and DJL Game manager.

Download GS Voyager here.

Samuel Daniel

Update 13 July 2021