Gaming on Linux has come a long way. Between improvements in GPU drivers, better support for things like Proton (for Windows games), performance-tweaks in kernels, and community-made game launchers, there are quite a few Linux distributions that work really well for gaming today.
If you’re planning to build a gaming PC or repurpose an old one for gaming in 2025, here are some of the best Linux distros to consider what they do well, where they might fall short, and how to choose.
What Matters for a Good Gaming Distro
Before listing specific distros, let’s agree on what makes a Linux distro good for gaming:
- Good driver support — especially for NVIDIA, AMD, and hybrid graphics.
- Latest kernels / graphics stacks (Mesa, Vulkan, etc.) so games perform well.
- Easy setup for things like Steam, Proton, Lutris, Wine / Wine-like tools.
- Stable enough (updates shouldn’t break things often) but also letting you use recent software.
- Good community / documentation — if something goes wrong, you want help.
- Optional extras like performance-tweaks, gaming tools, or themed “gaming editions.”
With that in mind, here are top distros for gaming in 2025.
Top Linux Distros for Gaming in 2025
Here are some of the best picks, and when each is a good choice:
| Distro | What Makes It Good for Gaming | Possible Downsides | Best For Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pop!_OS | Very strong choice. Comes from System76, has good support for NVIDIA & AMD graphics, lets you switch between GPUs easily, solid driver support, polished UI. | Slightly more resource heavy; not the lightest DE (desktop environment). If you want minimal, you might feel some overhead. Also, new features come a bit slower (if you use LTS-based version). | For gamers who want ease of use, good out of box support and don’t want to tinker too much. Also good for mixed productivity + gaming setups. |
| Garuda Linux (Gaming Edition) | Performance tuned, rolling-release so you can get newer drivers/updates faster; gaming-friendly tools built in (Steam, Lutris, etc.). Also aesthetic, nice theming. | As Arch-based & rolling release, there’s more chance of breakage or things needing fixing. Also, more demanding on hardware (UI effects etc.). Not the best for very old machines. | For power users, people who like bleeding edge, those who want frame rates + features + nice visuals. |
| Nobara Project | Based on Fedora but made for gamers: includes proprietary drivers, multimedia codecs, Wine dependencies, etc., set up for gaming out of the box. | Fedora base means sometimes strict-policies (SELinux etc.), sometimes newer features may need tweaking. Also because of smaller team, fewer “bells & whistles” than big distros in some areas. | If you like Fedora’s stability + want gaming without too much manual setup. Good middle ground. |
| SteamOS 3.x (Steam Deck OS / Valve’s OS) | Designed for gaming; optimized for controllers / Big Picture / Steam’s environment. If you want something close to console experience, this is good. | Might feel constrained if you want full desktop/workstation tasks. Less variety of DE/customization than general-purpose distros. Some apps might need extra setup. | For those whose priority is gaming, especially Steam games, perhaps using the PC more like a living room / media + gaming device. Or for handhelds / Steam Deck style hardware. |
| Manjaro Linux (Gaming Edition or regular + gaming tweaks) | Pretty popular. Lets you get more recent software than many “stable” distros; there are community editions geared toward gamers with the needed tools pre-installed. | Rolling release means more updates, sometimes regressions. If you don’t like fixing stuff when it breaks, this might be more work. Also, sometimes “bleeding edge” means less tested. | Gamers who like having newer kernels, new drivers, and don’t mind occasional tweaks or fixes. Also for people who want more control/customization. |
| Drauger OS | Ubuntu-based distro optimized for gaming; often ships with driver tweaks, game-friendly settings. Good place if you’re coming from Ubuntu / its ecosystem. | Less “flashy” than Garuda with regard to visuals; may miss some newer features that cutting-edge distros have. Also community might be smaller. | If you want Ubuntu compatibility + gaming performance, especially if you depend on Ubuntu’s software base. |
| ChimeraOS | Makes PC boot directly into a gaming console like environment (Steam Big Picture etc.). Good if you mostly just play games rather than use desktop. | Less flexibility for desktop usage; you might need to tweak things more if doing non-gaming tasks. Also less general purpose than full desktop distros. | Those whose main use is gaming and want a console-style experience. For living room PC, etc. |
| Linux Mint | Very beginner friendly. Stable. Works well with gaming platforms once drivers are set up. If you’re not pushing the bleeding edge, it’ll “just work” a lot of the time. | Not as optimized out-of-the-box for gaming; may need you to install drivers, tweak things. Less frequent major updates compared to rolling release ones. Some newer games or driver features might lag. | Good for new users, people migrating from Windows, casual gamers, folks who want stability over having the absolute newest versions. |
| Ubuntu / Ubuntu LTS + game tools | Ubuntu has big community, easy availability of drivers, good support for Proton, Steam, Wine, etc. Many game tools support it well. Also, many “gaming-distros” are based on Ubuntu. | Since Ubuntu LTS versions tend to keep older stable software for long, you might miss latest driver features or kernels; sometimes you might need to add PPAs or manually update to get latest GPU support. | Great choice for most people. “Safe” default. Good if you want support, documentation, less manual work. |
Some Newer & Interesting Choices
These are distros or spins that are gaining attention in 2025 specifically for gaming or related setups:
- Bazzite: Fedora-based distro optimized for gaming, with features like VRR/HDR support, controllers, etc.
- CachyOS: An Arch-based distro that many users mention for its performance / gaming readiness plus snapshot features. Reddit threads show users liking it.
- Fedora KDE / Fedora Spins: Some Fedora spins work well, especially with newer graphics drivers, KDE Plasma (lighter than GNOME in some respects), and the backing of the Fedora project.
What to Pick Based on Your Situation
Here are some scenarios + what might be best:
| Scenario | Distro I’d Recommend |
|---|---|
| You want things to “just work” with minimal tweaking | Pop!_OS, Ubuntu LTS, Linux Mint |
| You like having the newest drivers / recent kernel for better GPU / performance | Garuda, Manjaro, Nobara, CachyOS |
| You mostly game (Steam + Windows games) and don’t care much about desktop setup | SteamOS, ChimeraOS |
| You’re a beginner, migrating from Windows | Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, Ubuntu |
| You have older hardware or low specs | Mint (with a lighter DE), Ubuntu + lighter DE, maybe Fedora KDE or Plasma editions, or a minimal Arch based + your own setup |
Tips to Make Gaming Better on Linux Regardless of Distro
Even with a good distro, you’ll get better results if you do a few tweaks:
- Install proprietary graphics drivers (especially for NVIDIA) if needed.
- Enable Vulkan / latest Mesa drivers for AMD / Intel.
- Use Proton / Proton-GE for Windows games via Steam.
- Use Lutris or Heroic for managing Windows game launchers / emulators.
- Keep kernel & graphics stack up to date (kernel, mesa, driver modules). Some distros make this easier.
- Use performance tools: GameMode, FSR (if your hardware supports), adjusting CPU governor, etc.
- Monitor temperature and use good cooling, especially with laptops or smaller desktops.
Possible Trade-Offs
- Some gaming distros are more “bleeding edge”—that means more updates but also more chances of something breaking.
- Rolling release vs stable: stable is safer, rolling lets you use newer drivers sooner.
- Proprietary driver support sometimes lags, or you need to manually install them.
- Game availability: Windows games often come via Proton / Steam-Play; not all games work perfectly. There may be issues with anti-cheat, etc.
My Top Picks for 2025
If I were setting up a gaming PC today and wanted good balance, here are my top 2 recommendations:
- Pop!_OS — because it gives good GPU driver support, ease of use, reliable performance, and works well for mixed use (gaming + other tasks).
- Garuda Linux (Gaming Edition) — if I want more performance and more recent updates and I’m fine doing occasional tweaking.
FAQs
In 2025, Pop!_OS and SteamOS 3 stand out as the best Linux distros for gaming.
Pop!_OS (by System76) offers excellent hardware compatibility, built-in GPU drivers, and a smooth experience for both casual and hardcore gamers.
SteamOS 3, the distro powering the Steam Deck, is tailored for gaming and comes with Proton integration, making Windows-only games run seamlessly.
If you want flexibility, Garuda Linux (Gaming Edition) is also a strong contender due to its pre-optimized gaming tools.
The best version depends on your hardware and use case:
For Steam-focused gaming → SteamOS 3 is unbeatable.
For general PC gaming with strong driver support → Pop!_OS (NVIDIA/AMD editions).
For power users who like tweaks and performance tuning → Garuda Linux or Nobara Project.
Yes, Linux is more viable for gaming in 2025 than ever before.
Proton and Wine now support a majority of AAA titles.
Anti-cheat compatibility has improved significantly (Easy Anti-Cheat and BattlEye support Linux).
With better GPU drivers and Valve’s push with Steam Deck, Linux gaming has moved from niche to mainstream.
If your game library is mostly from Steam, you’ll hardly miss Windows.
Garuda Linux (Gaming Edition) delivers the best raw performance with its custom kernel optimizations, gaming tools, and pre-installed tweaks.
Pop!_OS balances stability with performance and is the best for plug-and-play gaming.
For handheld gaming PCs, SteamOS 3 has the smoothest performance.
If we talk overall gaming (PC + console ecosystem):
Windows 11 still has the largest compatibility with all games.
But if you want a free, open-source, and increasingly powerful system, then Linux (Pop!_OS or SteamOS) is the best OS for gaming in 2025.
