Lightweight linux games. It runs natively on Linux.
Lightweight linux games In this article, we’ll delve into the top Linux distros for gaming, highlighting their key Use a Lightweight Window Manager for Intensive Games: For resource-intensive games, consider temporarily switching to a more lightweight window manager or disabling desktop effects in Cinnamon. This minimalist OS transforms PCs and single board computers into DIY gaming rigs. Puppy Linux is known for its extremely small footprint, making it one of the best choices for lightweight Linux distro enthusiasts. In the world of Linux, where one size does not fit all, choosing the best Linux lightweight distro can be a game-changer, especially if you're working with resource Users who want to transform their modern or old computer into a retro gaming console can choose the lightweight Lakka Linux distribution. Check out the best Linux distros for gaming here. Explore Downloadable games for Linux on itch. One reason I love retro gaming on Linux is that it doesn’t demand high-end hardware. r/linux_gaming • As a longtime Linux user and now solo indie developer, having native Linux versions for my games is important to me! So I am happy to present my current project to the Linux gaming community: a mining tower offense roguelike! Demo is available and I'd love to hear your feedback if you give it a try! Gaming on Linux has gained traction, but finding the right Linux distribution (distro) for gaming can be challenging. 3️⃣ Tiny Installation Size but Feature-Rich. . io, the indie game hosting marketplace Also: 5 lightweight Linux distributions with very low system requirements. There are several gaming-centered Linux distros that offer great gaming support in Linux. Low hardware requirements. ; User friendly - Lakka is Find games for Linux made with Lightweight Java Game Library like Retro Commander, Sandtrix, Songs of Syx, Feud, Wildermyth on itch. Heyo all, so my little brother wants to play games since he can't go outside anymore, I won't be letting him near my computer so we gonna use an old laptop There are many lightweight Linux distributions on the market, many of which are outstanding options for bringing aging hardware back to life with speed, flexibility, and security that those old With just 4 GB of RAM and a 7th gen i3, heavy gaming is going to be tough. If I was using a Window Manager like i3 or openbox, those would be lighter. Although every Linux distro is not Bodhi Linux; Bodhi Linux is an elegant distro known for its minimalism and customization capabilities. Not only will you spend a lot of time in the vanilla game, it has tons of mods that offer a lot of content. It utilizes the Moksha desktop environment and is suitable for systems with at least 512MB of RAM. Nothing crazy, but around 2-5 fps in most cases. As a gamer, you want a Linux distro that can deliver fast performance, stable gaming, and a seamless user experience. FTL (Faster Than Light) defintly works. With so many different "flavors" of Linux available, it can be hard to know which distribution is right for your needs. The Dark Queen of Mortholme. Offers a range of options for customization. Check Out Tiny Core Linux. 10 While high-performance laptops often dominate the tech conversation, lightweight Linux distributions can breathe new life into older machines. Choosing the Right Linux Distro for Gaming. This is a very Team Fortress 2 is one of the oldest multiplayer shooter games available for Linux. The 4 M's stand Alpine Linux XFCE + Flatpak (flatpak in terminal), after installation just select edge mirrors for rolling capabilities Alpine Linux GNOME + Flatpak (GNOME software GUI appstore for Flatpak) PikaOS (Debian based Linux distribution dedicated to graphics, multimedia and gaming) Alpine is incredibly light and responsive rolling distro. Some are open source, and others are fairly big names available through Steam. Furthermore Steam, Itch client for Linux Wrapping Up. View Channel. It's incredibly lightweight, fast even on very old machines, and boots in seconds. 04 LTS, though Ubuntu GamePack uses a customized Gnome desktop environment. A few other notable apps and tools include Skype, Kodi, Spotify, TeamViewer, the LibreOffice suite, a password manager, and more. It also Also Read: 5 Best Linux Distros for Gaming Enthusiasts. Since the Steam Deck came out, gaming on Linux has become increasingly popular. but literally any modern ubuntu based distro will do the same job. If you want a bit more of a Windows 7-like UI, I'd recommend Kubuntu 21. The graphics are basic. social/m/Linux Please refrain from posting help requests here, cheers. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. io to have them show up here. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where you control Sam Bridges, a porter who works in a company called BRIDG Sparky Linux GameOver Edition is perfect for gamers who want a lightweight distro that supports both retro and modern gaming. Use a Lightweight Distribution: Using a lightweight distribution (e. Ubuntu GamePack comes from Ukrainian developers UALinux and is very similar to Drauger OS. If you have an older computer or want to revive an old machine, a lightweight Linux distro can give it new life. Lakka – Lightweight Retro Gaming. Some pros and cons of Unciv include. It can be supported on Windows, Linux, and Android. Intel Core i7) can help you run Linux games on Chromebook at high frame rates. Sparky “GameOver” Edition features a lightweight desktop, a considerable number of preinstalled games, useful tools and scripts. Best Linux distro for gaming . u/banzai_420 I recommend you simply buy a used device with better specs, so you don't have to spend time tinkering, but if you really want a chromebook (or chromebook esque device), here are the optimizations that will make it actually usable for internet browsing: . Manjaro is another excellent choice for gaming. It runs natively on Linux. The first on my list of the best lightweight Linux distros A subreddit for discussions and news about gaming on the GNU/Linux family of operating systems (including the Steam Deck). Built on top of the famous RetroArch emulator, Lakka is able to 2. the only difference is the default DE and plus or minus some extra packages. 10 / 22. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated enthusiast, choosing the right Linux OS can We list the best lightweight Linux distros, to make it simple and easy to run a simpler Linux OS on older x86 machines. Lighter environments like Openbox or Xfce work well without imposing significant resource demands. Linux gaming relies heavily on Vulkan support, and you're going to want to have at least a sixth generation Intel CPU for that. Now, I don't know what generation or model your Core i5 is, so I don't know if it'll work Download Fedora Linux. Performance isn't consistent on titles from even the same engine. Some players have We list the best lightweight Linux distros, to make it simple and easy to run a simpler Linux OS on older x86 machines. As a Linux user, I was recently in search of a Linux distribution (distro) that is lightweight and runs efficiently on a virtual machine or a physical machine using minimal There are plenty of excellent games on Linux, and a fair amount of them are completely free. Featuring fast-paced gameplay, combat mechanics, and challenges that test reflexes and coordination. Both don‘t take much disk space. It is ultra-fun, too. That’s fair because Linux isn’t treated as a first-class All you have to do is put everything on low and set visibility distance to the lowest possible, so you can see like 6-10 cubes away around you and you are still technically playing Minecraft. Even though the game was released in 2007, it still has a decent player base, making it It features a large set of free and open-source games and some needed tools; Rescue Edition - provides a live system and a large number of applications for recovering #8 Q4OS: Windows XP/7 Look and Lightning-Fast Linux Performance. Key Features: Breathes new life into old hardware. The best part? They’re lightweight efficient and often come pre-installed with many Linux distributions making Below is a list of 15 most addictive, free and fun open-source games that can be supported on Linux and are sure to provide gamers with a memorable experience. Welcome to /r/Linux! This is a community for sharing news about Linux, interesting developments and press. Its exact I game on a fairly modern laptop running linux, with Intel integrated graphics. The Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop stands out as an exceptional choice for gamers and power users seeking a robust machine that can handle intensive applications, particularly those running on Linux. Some of the key features that Conclusion: Choosing the Best Linux Lightweight Distro. 4MLinux is a feature-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution that can make old computers feel new again. Puppy Linux is an extremely lightweight distro that has separate editions based on Ubuntu and Slackware. All of these distros The 8 Best Linux OS for Gaming in 2025. There are plenty of reasons which take Manjaro a top selection, starting from its easy setup, attractive color schemes, unique icons, and flexibility at the top of a lot more. The main how you configure this distro. Often involving phy Linux Lite is probably the best of all lightweight Linux distributions. Linux has changed significantly in the last couple of years, and you can set. The distro boasts full featured apps across categories such as internet Lightweight and gaming don't necessarily go very well together, but I have to think Mint XFCE or Xubuntu is what you need. I’d suggest distros with lightweight desktop environments like Fedora, which offers several options. Last but not least, Lakka rounds out our list as a lightweight Linux distro purpose built for retro game emulation. Homepage: https://puppylinux. Also includes many games like 0AD, War Zone 2100, Wesnoth, Widelands and so on. You can always use game emulator programs, or directly play games using Steam, Lutris, or more (refer to our gaming guide if you’re new to gaming on Linux). Afaik you can't play genshin impact on linux because of its anticheat (which wants to do a lot of very questionable stuff). Linux gaming is on the rise. Daedelic often does Linux ports. Batocera+Steam via Flatpack: all games around 20-30% slower than Win10+Steam, but confirmed all desired games will run via Proton. It offers a lite edition for older computers that features the Xfce desktop The goal of ProtonDB is to gather reports from other gamers as they test games with Proton on Linux and provide aggregate scores of how well games perform. A subreddit for discussions and news about gaming on the GNU/Linux family of operating systems (including the Steam Deck). The distro boasts full featured apps across categories such as internet Discover the ultimate gaming experience on Linux with our top picks of the best Linux distros. Garuda Linux has earned quite a reputation in the Linux gaming world and rightfully so, thanks to the OS featuring built-in packages 20 Best Lightweight Linux Distros of 2023 1. For games from EGS, you can use opensource linux-native heroic games launcher. The DE itself isn't lightweight, but it did have a slight advantage in gaming. RetroArch powers the emulation features; Controller-friendly interface requires minimal setup Conclusion: If you want blazing-fast performance on old hardware, Puppy Linux is a game-changer. But the lightest Linux distro's would be the one's that was suggested below; like puppy or tiny core. The distro boasts full featured apps across categories such as internet I'm looking for a lightweight Linux distro that would also work to emulate ps2 and GameCube, and also maybe play some other games. Easy to mod. Manjaro Linux is another excellent lightweight choice on our best Linux distro for gaming list. I recently set up a Powerful - Built on top of the famous RetroArch emulator, Lakka is able to emulate a large range of hardware and has some useful features such as Braid-like rewinding, joypad hotplug and video streaming. You could potentially manage some older titles or simpler games like OpenRA. g. Pop!_OS is designed with a focus on NVIDIA graphics card support and offers an optimized experience for Find Action games for Linux like windowkill, The Driver Syndicate, ULTRAKILL Prelude, Perfect Vermin, What Lives Below on itch. You might be surprised to find how user-friendly options like Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions. How Steam Play/Proton makes Gaming on Linux Awesome by GloriousEggroll youtube The Best Lightweight Linux for this potato pc Running Linux distro on the old desktop or laptops is really the best option as compared to Windows because of lightweight and fast speed. Best Lightweight Linux Distros for Old PCs 1. Based on Ubuntu LTS and designed with user-friendliness in mind, Linux Lite uses the Xfce desktop to create a UI that's Arch Linux (with Lightweight Desktop Environment) While Arch Linux is known for its advanced features and customization capabilities, installing a minimal desktop environment can turn it into a lightweight solution for seasoned users. Salazar083. io, the indie game hosting marketplace. Puppy Linux – Best Lightweight Linux Distro for Portability. Other than that, I may just watch media. I fit an entire arch linux install on 10 Gb of space. It is the best game you will ever If you're a casual gamer looking for fun or a competitive player aiming for the top, these free games provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy gaming on Linux without We got a list of 11 gaming Linux OS for you here. Can I use a lightweight Linux distribution for gaming? While lightweight Linux distributions are not typically designed for gaming, you can still use them for light gaming. I plan to play relatively old games on this machine like GTA San Andreas or Oblivion. Just do not expect any kind of 3D gaming from that iGPU, it will struggle with most WinXP era games already. 04, using the X11 session without the compositor. And plenty more. If you’re a Nethack is free. From classic ASCII-art roguelikes to interactive fiction there’s an incredible variety of games you can play right from your terminal. . This tiny distro can run from a USB stick, making it highly portable. It offers a smooth gaming experience due to its extensive software repositories and community support. If Developed in 2019 by Kojima Productions and designed by Hideo Kojima himself, Death Stranding has to be one of the best AAA titles on Linux for two reasons — the overall gameplay and design. Ubuntu Minimal has emerged as Canonical’s answer to lightweight and fast Linux needs. In the extreme case - user can use a computer without a GUI and even browse the internet in a terminal, without images, in Lynx, on a weak computer. It’s so lightweight, it can even run on a mini-PC like a Raspberry Pi. They vary greatly from game to game A lightweight linux desktop (xfce, lxde) can run under 400MB of RAM, the remaining would be sufficient for some light emulation and extremely light 2D games. Use a High-Performance Device : Using a high-performance device (e. I'm not a fan of Unity myself, but for gaming Lubutuntu 21. Despite being only 300MB The open source game console Lakka is a lightweight Linux distribution that transforms a small computer into a full blown retrogaming console. com. I am looking for a Linux distro that takes up minimal amounts of storage and memory while also being able to run games. Members Online. Enhance your gaming performance and enjoyment today! Older Hardware: If you have older or less powerful hardware, What Gamers Look for in a Linux Distro? To choose the best Linux gaming distro, gamers look for the following features: Low latency and high performance: The 1. android apps centos ChatGPT command Commands Debian deepin Desktop docker Fedora fix game games Gaming gnome google kernel linux linux commands linux kernel Linux laptops Linux Mint Linux themes Pop!_OS is a Linux distro developed by System76, a company known for manufacturing Linux-based hardware. In Any popular distro will support steam. io · Upload your Downloadable games for Linux to itch. Here are some recommendations, unordered: Tons of point and click games. If you're looking for tech support, /r/Linux4Noobs is a friendly community that can help you. Pros. And isn't best thing is to just use most lightweight distro possible in my case or is there a big difference with each distro out there. These distributions represent some of the best Linux distributions for gaming on Linux. However, today you can learn more about a remix intended for Linux gaming. Q4OS is a Debian-based lightweight Linux distro that uses the trimmed-down Trinity desktop environment. It can also boot using a USB stick or CD or install on 10. OpenXCom, 30 MB :) Barotrauma should work. You can use xfce, lxde it's most lightweight DE you can save some memory with shared libs by picking distro by programs what you need for example if you planing to use more qt programs than it's better lxde, if more gtk than it's better xfce. Puppy Linux. The entire OS is small enough to be run entirely in RAM, which I'm using Xfce it's light by definitely not the lightest one. It’s fast. Garuda Linux. Get Lakka. The lower demands on hardware ideally result in a more responsive Linux is an open-source operating system known for its flexibility, security and stability. Please also check out: https://lemmy. Powerful. It builds upon the popular RetroArch The alignment is poetic—it’s like Linux was made for retro gaming enthusiasts. Dota 2 is one of the most popular MOBA games available for Linux. It is fully packed with content. Hello! My friend is struggling with his old pc with w10. Had to do with how Unity's compositor worked. New itch. It’s lightweight and can run on old devices. 2. Puppy Linux is a lightweight & fast distro that is ideal for users with low-specification hardware or who prefer a simple and streamlined user experience. MangoHud – Monitor FPS, CPU & GPU Load in Linux Games. I'm most familiar with Ubuntu based distros, having used Ubuntu, Linux mint, UbuntuM8 and Lubuntu, mostly for coding, but I'm open to anything that works. 9. The game was developed by Yair Morgenstern and is an open-source remake of the 2010 Civilization V game. It comes with all the essentials pre-installed to get you started with gaming, minus the usual bloatware, offering enhanced performance compared to most distros. Best lightweight Linux distro (Image credit: Puppy Linux) 12. Optimize Game Settings with Tools: Utilize tools like GameMode and MangoHud to optimize game performance and monitor system metrics in real-time. SliTaz can be installed on all i486 or x86 Intel Best Linux distro for gaming (Image credit: Pop!_OS) 3. Key Features. 10 or the upcoming 22. Upgrading to an SSD and adding more RAM could help significantly. 04 would be the most lightweight option while still easy to use and Windows 2000-like experience. Based on Arch Linux, Manjaro offers a rolling release model, which means you always have the latest software and updates. advice wanted I have a 2016 Hp laptop with 8 gb ram intel core i5 and im trying to play rocket league on it, i was using linux mint xfce and then switched to try windows 10 if itsany better but it turned out to be worse (lag and low fps)so i was wondering if i should switch back to linux mint Find games for Linux tagged Roguelike like Orb Tower, Die in the Dungeon CLASSIC, Spelunky Classic HD, 3 Kings, Shogun Showdown - Alpha on itch. Today's Best Deals. It comes with tools for emulation and supports Steam, Wine, and PlayOnLinux. Btrfs compression: enabled me to fit arch linux, and some Lightweight Linux OS For Gaming . Key Features: SliTaz is an efficient and lightweight Linux distribution, which can be used for older hardware and as a Live USB. Lakka is a lightweight Linux retro gaming distro that turns your computer into a retro gaming console. Q4OS. Cons. xlinux) can help you run Linux games on Chromebook without increasing the system’s resource usage. Manjaro. Linux gaming presents hurdles such as driver compatibility, performance disparities, and a fragmented steam itself should work, but different games are different stories. Pop!_OS. Unfortunately, "higher performance" isn't a good reason to switch to Linux for gaming, specifically. This can be a double-edged sword, as it ensures you have the newest features but can also introduce instability if not managed properly. I was Playing simple games like: Super Tux cart Built-in games of the OS like for example Minesweeper 2048 tetris and other built in games from many linux distros Should have STEAM support so i can run CSGO (with modifactions i know im not crazy lol) Trackmania 2009 nations forever] And other simple games like browser games and most 2d games. A unique and visually appealing user interface Lightweight alternatives to the command line Lightweight window managers for Linux Lightweight window managers for Linux Instead of first level sub-menus such as 13. Also Read: 8 Best Lightweight Linux Distros for Reviving Old PCs What to Look for in a Linux Distro for Gaming? High Performance: Choose a Linux distribution that offers high Read: 15 Useful and Lightweight Linux Distros For Your Old System. If you are a hardcore PC gamer, Linux might not be your first choice. Near infinitely replayable games that usually feature, random generation, perma A lightweight Linux distro without a GUI uses fewer system resources, runs faster, and is ideal for older hardware or specific tasks like servers, embedded systems, and minimal computing environments. Lately I've enjoyed these games that run natively: Factorio - which is the best value game I've ever bought (in a dollars:hours ratio). Regardless of how that comes out, I will have to do one more afterwards as a final test: Installing a bare Linux distro and adding Steam to it. Some distributions, like Xubuntu and Manjaro Xfce, have enough resources to handle basic gaming tasks. io is now on YouTube! Subscribe for game recommendations, clips, and more. A light-weight Linux distribution is a Linux distribution that uses lower memory and processor-speed requirements than a more "feature-rich" Linux distribution. Both distros are based on Ubuntu 20. Zorin OS Lite. Built for gamers. This streamlined version of Ubuntu focuses on delivering a stable base system without any unnecessary bloat. It comes with a set of Gaming Focus: Comes pre-installed with gaming tools like Steam, Lutris, and GameMode for enhanced gaming performance. It is very lightweight on install size and overall resource consumption. Extremely addictive. This lightweight Linux distro even includes access to Best lightweight distro for gaming on old laptop . Lightweight linux for Athlon 64 +4000/4gb ram . Q4OS is crafted for those who loved the clean simplicity of Windows XP and Windows 7, but want the power, speed, and reliability of Linux. A growing pool of suggestions provides tweaks that you can try to get games working while Proton continues development. I started a "Linux gaming on a budget" channel on YouTube and I need your help. However, for more demanding games, you might want to consider a more We list the best lightweight Linux distros, to make it simple and easy to run a simpler Linux OS on older x86 machines. The final boss's side of the story. It also enables access to Steam, which supports video games galore. A lot of other games work just fine. So choose Linux distro's that use these above as defaults. I wouldn't call SteamOS lightweight but if it's good enough for the deck, then it's good enough for a proper desktop/laptop. ml/c/linux and Kbin. March 18, 2025. I am presently downloading Drauger OS as my next experiment. Stardew Valley is great game if you Dota 2. Support for 32-bit systems: Yes Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution. What I Lightweight Linux distro for low-end gaming? Hello! I have a relatively old laptop with these specs and I want to do some low-end gaming on it. My Xfce I'm using MX. ADMIN MOD Lightweight distro for streaming games . mrlakqcxssovsllflhdwqqkzivqulehiossbqyjqzuvvrlsintdltmxoteupykrjrdmqcduikiofbymnsfh