Gaming on Linux has come a long way, even since 2017 when I finally gave up on Microsoft and switched to Linux Mint. At the end of 2025 a stunning 9 in 10 Steam games reportedly work on Linux now, a far cry from 2017 when very few worked, and when they did a WINE or game patch would break it.
Platforms
- Steam (Proton)
- Native Linux games
- Heroic / Lutris (when needed)
Games That Work Well
Just a few examples as these days you’re much more likely to find a game that works than one that doesn’t.
- Pretty much every Blizzard Game - Heroic Games Launcher or Lutris, no tweaks
- War Thunder - Native Linux
- Hogwarts Legacy - Minor launch option tweak needed
Hardware Notes
- GPU: Linux gamers recommend AMD graphics cards over NVIDIA as the code is open-source, though NVIDIA are now opening up some of their code which has lead to improvements. I have been using an NVIDIA card for at least five years now with no notable problems
- Controller: I have been using an Xbox 360 controller for well over a decade, and it's still going strong (other than needing to get some new thumbstick caps). There are also plenty of Xbox-like controllers on the market too and the ones I have tested all seem to work well.
Things I Avoid
Kernel-level anti-cheat and launchers that fight the OS. Life’s too short. Examples of companies that use kernel-level anti-cheat (and go out of their way to block Linux users) are; Riot Games, EA, Bungie and Rockstar.