PC Gamer
Can You Game on Linux in 2025? Distros Compared and Explained
Juin
Introduction
Once upon a time, the idea of gaming on Linux felt like a techie fantasy—clunky drivers, endless terminal tweaks, and a game library that could fit on a floppy disk. But here we are in 2025, and things have dramatically changed. Thanks to Proton, Steam Deck, and a thriving open-source community, gaming on Linux is not only possible—it’s competitive.
But is it really good enough to ditch Windows? And if so, which Linux distro gives you the best experience for gaming?
This guide breaks down the state of Linux gaming in 2025, compares the most gamer-friendly distributions, and gives you everything you need to decide if Tux is ready for your next boss fight.
🧠 Is Gaming on Linux Really Viable in 2025?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: it depends on what you’re playing, your hardware, and how much you’re willing to tinker.
Here’s what’s improved since 2020:
✅ Proton & Wine have matured — Most Steam games run out of the box
✅ Steam Deck success — Validates Linux as a serious gaming platform
✅ Drivers for AMD & NVIDIA are rock solid
✅ More native Linux ports (from indie to AAA)
✅ Game launchers like Lutris and Heroic make installation easy
📊 According to ProtonDB, over 85% of the top 1000 Steam games run well on Linux, either natively or via Proton.
🖥️ Top Gaming-Friendly Linux Distros (2025 Edition)
Let’s compare the most popular Linux distros used by gamers this year:
| Distro | Best For | Pre-installed Tools | Proton Support | Easy for Beginners | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop!_OS | NVIDIA/AMD GPU users | Steam, Flatpak, Firmware updater | ✅ | ✅ | 🔥🔥🔥 |
| SteamOS 3 (HoloISO) | Steam Deck / Living Room | Steam Big Picture, Game Mode | ✅✅ | ✅ | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
| Nobara Project | All-in-one gaming out of the box | Wine, Lutris, OBS, codecs | ✅ | ✅✅ | 🔥🔥🔥 |
| Linux Mint | Simplicity & daily use | Flatpak, basic Steam | ✅ | ✅✅✅ | 🔥🔥 |
| EndeavourOS | Advanced users, tinkerers | None by default | ✅ | ❌ | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
| Garuda Linux (Gaming Edition) | RGB setups, KDE fans | GameMode, Zen Kernel | ✅ | ✅ | 🔥🔥🔥 |
💡 Recommendation: Pop!_OS or Nobara if you’re new. SteamOS 3 if you own a Steam Deck. Garuda if you want flair.
🛠️ How Proton Makes Windows Games Work on Linux
Proton is a compatibility layer developed by Valve that allows Windows games to run on Linux via Wine, DXVK, and Vulkan.
Here’s why Proton rocks in 2025:
- 🔄 Constant updates from Valve
- 🎮 Works directly through Steam—no manual tweaks required
- 📈 Performance now matches or exceeds Windows in some titles
- 🛡️ Works with anti-cheat in more games (EAC and BattlEye supported)
🌐 Visit ProtonDB.com to check how your favorite games run.
🧩 What About Non-Steam Games? Use Lutris + Heroic
Steam isn’t everything. Many games still come from:
- Epic Games Store
- GOG
- Battle.net, Origin, Ubisoft Connect
Thankfully, you’ve got tools:
- 🧙♂️ Lutris: Open-source launcher for managing games across platforms
- 🛡️ Heroic Games Launcher: Great for Epic and GOG
- 🧩 Bottles: Sandbox Wine instances for advanced users
🎯 Most modern launchers now support overlays, gamepads, and updates.
🧪 Benchmarking: Linux vs Windows in 2025
Recent tests on similar hardware (Ryzen 7 + RTX 4070):
| Game | Windows 11 FPS | Linux (Proton) FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | 100 FPS | 95 FPS | Near-parity |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 90 FPS | 92 FPS | Slight edge for Linux |
| CS2 | 250 FPS | 240 FPS | Competitive |
| GTA V | 110 FPS | 105 FPS | Smooth on both |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 85 FPS | 80 FPS | Some shader stutter on Linux |
📌 Verdict: Linux delivers 90–99% of Windows performance in most cases, sometimes better thanks to less bloat.
🎧 Support for Controllers, Audio, and Peripherals
✅ Xbox, PS5, Switch Pro controllers — plug and play via Steam
✅ Bluetooth and USB headsets work out of the box
✅ DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers supported in some titles
❌ Still no universal support for RGB software like Razer Synapse
🎮 Tools like Piper and OpenRGB help manage gaming hardware on Linux.
⚠️ What Games Still Don’t Work on Linux?
Some titles still pose problems due to:
- 🔐 Anti-cheat software not fully supporting Wine
- 🖥️ Games with intrusive DRM
- ⚠️ Launcher-dependent games (e.g., certain EA/Ubisoft titles)
Examples:
- Valorant (Kernel-level anti-cheat, still no-go)
- Destiny 2 (bans Linux users)
- Fortnite Battle Royale (still blocked)
👀 But these are exceptions, not the rule in 2025.
💬 Community Support and Resources
- 🧠 Reddit: r/linux_gaming
- 🛠️ ProtonDB: performance reports by real users
- 📽️ YouTube: tutorials by NickNekson, Gardiner Bryant, Chris Titus Tech
- 📚 Forums: Linux Mint Forum, Steam Linux
Linux gaming has one of the most active and helpful communities.
🧠 Conclusion: Should You Game on Linux in 2025?
If you want to escape the bloat of Windows, value open-source tools, or just love tweaking your setup — Linux is ready for your gaming life.
✅ Huge library
✅ Amazing tools (Proton, Lutris, Heroic)
✅ Competitive performance
✅ Better control over your system
❌ But you’ll hit walls with certain anti-cheat games
❌ Still some occasional driver or overlay bugs
❌ Not ideal for complete non-techies… yet
🎯 For most gamers? Yes, you can game on Linux in 2025. And it’s awesome.
❓ FAQ – Gaming on Linux in 2025
Do all Steam games work on Linux now?
No, but 85–90% are playable thanks to Proton.
Is gaming performance better on Linux than Windows?
In many cases, it’s equal or even slightly better due to fewer background tasks.
Can I use mods on Linux games?
Yes, most mod managers work—especially through Steam or Lutris.
What’s the easiest distro for gaming?
Pop!_OS and Nobara are great for beginners.
Can I stream on Linux?
Yes. OBS Studio, Discord, and Twitch tools work well on most modern distros.
