The best Linux distribution for gaming in 2020

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• The best Linux distribution for gaming in 2020

The best Linux distributions for gaming help make playing classic or even modern computer games easy and accessible on your Linux computer. The Best Linux Distro for Gaming Linux has a reputation for not being very user-friendly: game builds have traditionally targeted Windows PC users, and sometimes macOS for popular game franchises as well. Also, Linux had limited support for hardware drivers like graphics cards. Not today. Linux has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past two decades, so not only has hardware driver support dramatically improved, but the game is moving towards browser-based streaming that's accessible to any Linux user. However, specially developed Linux distributions and game packages were released during this period, with the aim of satisfying the most die-hard Linux gamers. While these don't turn your distro into anything like a home video console like a PS4 or Xbox One, they do help provide an accessible gaming experience for Linux users.

(Image credit: SteamOS)

1.SteamOS

Get started with your own steam engine Access all titles from the Steam store Install free Linux games and paid titles Setup for advanced users only This Debian-based distribution (recently upgraded to the latest version of Debian 8) has been specially designed for run Valve's Steam platform and comes pre-installed on the company's Steam Machine game console. SteamOS is probably the closest Linux distribution to a real game console. Technically, you can install additional software using the Debian Jessie repositories, but the main focus of this operating system is on games. The install-only distro is available for 64-bit machines and works best with at least 4 GB of RAM. You also need around 200 GB of free hard drive space and an Nvidia, AMD (Radeon 8500 and later), or Intel GPU. If you're familiar with computers, consider building your own steam engine. SteamOS can only be used to play Steam games. Users cannot take advantage of Play on Linux or Wine when running SteamOS. However, the unique Home Streaming feature allows you to connect the machine running SteamOS to another computer on the network, allowing you to stream a game to that PC. Unlike most Linux distributions, not all SteamOS is open source software.

(Image credit: playing on Linux)

2. Play on Linux

Play Windows games on your Linux distro Play Windows games on Linux Some unavoidable bugs Lots of support Playing Linux isn't so much a distro as it is a package you can install on your existing Linux PC, but it should be mentioned here as it's probably the best and biggest way to play Linux after SteamOS. Unlike SteamOS, however, which isn't meant to do anything more than serve as a video console, Play on Linux allows your current Linux machine to also play existing Windows PC games, including major titles, while being able to use Linux for everyone. other things you need it for. This makes it probably the most affordable package for most Linux users, especially those who want to play popular titles on the same desktop or laptop they normally use. Based on Wine, which allows Windows applications to run in a Linux environment, Play on Linux is easier to set up and use, making it ideal for less technically savvy users. As with most Linux apps, Play on Linux is free and open source, and while the developers admit there might be some bugs, it still delivers a Linux gaming experience that few other packages can match.

(Image credit: Lakka)

3.Lakka

It allows you to emulate an impressive number of game consoles. Emulate dozens of consoles Available for multiple platforms Provide own games Lakka is a light version of Linux that can turn your computer into a retro game console. It is built on top of the libretro kernel and uses RetroArch as its interface. Lakka is available as a bootable USB image for PC. There are also versions for ARM-based machines like the Raspberry Pi. This distro is compatible with most keyboards, as well as PS3 and PS4 wireless controllers, as well as Xbox 360 controllers if you have the proprietary dongle. RetroArch has a very useful auto-configure feature which should mean most controllers will work right out of the box without you having to manually assign keys. The Lakka documentation also offers excellent guides for more unusual configurations. Due to copyright reasons, the operating system comes without pre-installed games. You will need to obtain legal copies of the ISO images of the game CDs you own or of the precompiled ROM files of the arcade games. Check the internet archives that contain public domain ROMs.

(Image credit: SparkyLinux)

4. Sparky Linux Game Over

Launch your game on virtually any platform Bundled gaming software like Steam Online gaming support No pre-installed console emulators SparkyLinux is a Debian-based distribution. The latest edition of SparkyLinux GameOver includes new features like the amazing Lutris gaming platform and a custom tool to install a web browser so you can play online games. In addition to Lutris, GameOver Edition also includes a number of tools like APTus Gamer which can download a variety of game emulators so you can relive old console favorites, though you may need to download them elsewhere. The operating system also contains several free and open source games like Wesnoth and Robots. Gaming apps Wine, Play on Linux, and Steam are also pre-installed. They are especially useful for running old DOS and Windows games on Linux, such as Sim City 2000.

(Image credit: uaLinux)

5. Ubuntu Game Pack

Brings hundreds of games to the popular operating system Based on Ubuntu LTS for stability Supports Steam, PlayOnLinux and more No pre-installed games Ubuntu GamePack comes from the Ukrainian developers UALinux. In addition to proprietary codecs and drivers, the distribution offers two different systems for you to enjoy gaming on Linux: Steam and Lutris Gaming Platform. With these, you can access and install hundreds of games on your Ubuntu machine. UALinux claims that its distribution provides access to thousands of games and applications for Windows and DOS. The DOSBox and DosEmu emulators are pre-installed, as is the more complete Crossover Windows emulator. Like Lakka, Ubuntu GamePack doesn't come with any games, but since it includes Wine and Play on Linux, you won't have any problems getting your existing games to work. The distro also supports Adobe Flash and Java, so you can play online games as well.