The best Linux distribution for gaming in 2025
The best Linux distribution for gaming in 2025
In a few previous years, I decided to do a fresh take each time on what the best Linux distribution was for gaming - so I'm back for a 2025 edition of the article that will cause you to tell me how wrong and terrible I am.
I was hoping for a bit more of a review of the various options with pros and cons for each.
Largely most distros shake out to be about the same. Anything that runs a more aggressive release cycle (Fedora, opensuse tumbleweed, etc) will support newer hardware better. Slower release cycles (debian, Ubuntu, etc) may not support the latest and greatest.
The more important pick will be your desktop environment (gnome, KDE, etc). This will impact how you use the system more. There's plenty of information out there but feel free to DM me if you have more specific questions
I'd always say PopOS for newbies to linux with nvidia cards, although admittedly its been a while since I've been on pop so I don't know if that's changed
I use Pop for gaming and it just works.
As a plus, I also love the somewhat mac-ish UX design, although that won't be to everyone's taste.
If your proficiency is one step above clicking "next" on an installer, I recommend Debian.
- Do a default installation. (Or if you're motivated, do a minimal one and install only what you need to get a GUI and Flatpak running).
- Activate the backports repository and install
linux-image-amd64from Backports. That'll give you a newer kernel with newer drivers and support for newer hardware. - Then install all user software you need from Flatpaks.
That way you get a rock solid Debian base, current kernel, and fresh software.
*is whichever you like to use the most
Any Linux distro is best for gaming if you're brave enough. There's a video on yt of a guy playing Wrath Aeon of Ruin on steam on OpenBSD machine (on hw, not vm), anything is possible
They say it's Kubuntu, sounds fine it's definitely a better WM, personally I use Mint Cinnamon, both are just different flavours of Ubuntu.
And real games use Arch...