Gaming on Linux used to feel hard and confusing. Many beginners thought only experts could make games run well. That is no longer true. In 2026, Linux gaming is friendly, powerful, and growing very fast. Tools like Proton let you play almost all Windows games on Linux with almost no extra work.
This guide is made specially for people who are just starting. We will use very simple English so everyone can understand. You do not need to be a computer expert. We will explain every step clearly. By the end of this article, you will know the best tricks to get smooth, fast, and beautiful gameplay on your Linux computer. These small changes can make a big difference. Your games will feel much better – higher frames per second, less stuttering, quicker loading, and fewer crashes.
Linux gaming has many advantages. It is free from forced updates and annoying ads. The system stays light and fast. Security is strong. Many new players choose Linux because of the Steam Deck success. The same technology that powers the Steam Deck works great on normal desktop and laptop computers too.
Let’s begin the journey step by step.
Choosing the Right Linux Distribution for Gaming
The first important choice is which Linux version (called a distribution or “distro”) you should install. Some distros are made especially for new gamers.
Pop!_OS is one of the most popular choices for beginners. It is built on Ubuntu, so it is very stable. The best part is that Pop!_OS already includes good NVIDIA graphics drivers. If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, this saves a lot of time and trouble. You can download Pop!_OS directly from the official website, create a bootable USB, and follow the simple installer.
Another excellent option is Nobara Linux. This distro is created by a gaming expert named GloriousEggroll (the same person who makes Proton-GE). Nobara comes with many gaming improvements already turned on. Steam, Proton, Wine, and useful tools are ready from the first boot. It works very well with both AMD and NVIDIA cards. Many new players say they get smooth gameplay right after installing Nobara.
If you want something very safe and well-known, Ubuntu is still a great choice. It has a huge amount of help online. Almost every gaming guide on the internet uses Ubuntu as an example.
Bazzite is another interesting option. It is very similar to SteamOS (the system inside the Steam Deck). Bazzite turns your normal computer into something that feels like a game console. It is especially nice if you play on a TV with a controller.
No matter which one you pick, always back up your important files before you install. The installation process is safe, but it is smart to be careful. After you finish installing, open a terminal and run this command to update everything:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThis one line keeps your system fresh and removes small bugs that can affect games.
Getting Your Graphics Card Ready
Your graphics card is the most important part for good gaming. If the drivers are wrong or old, games will run slowly or look bad.
For computers with NVIDIA graphics cards, Pop!_OS is the easiest because drivers come already included. In Ubuntu or other distros, you can open the “Software & Updates” program, go to the “Additional Drivers” tab, and choose the newest recommended NVIDIA driver. After you select it, restart your computer.
AMD graphics cards are loved by Linux because open-source drivers are very good and usually work perfectly without any extra steps. Just keep your system updated and you will get excellent performance.
Intel graphics (built into most laptops) also work well out of the box on modern Linux.
To test if your graphics are working correctly, open a terminal and type:
glxgearsYou should see colorful spinning gears moving very fast and smoothly. This means your 3D acceleration is active.
A smart trick is to use Vulkan instead of older OpenGL when possible. Vulkan often gives better speed in modern games. You can install Vulkan tools with:
sudo apt install vulkan-toolsThen type vkcube in the terminal. If you see a spinning colorful cube, Vulkan is working perfectly.
Installing Steam and Activating Proton
Steam is the main place where most people get and play games on Linux. Proton is the special tool inside Steam that makes Windows games work on Linux.
First, install Steam. In Pop!_OS, Ubuntu, or Nobara you can simply search for “Steam” in your app store and click install. Or use this terminal command:
sudo apt install steamAfter Steam opens, log in with your account.
Now turn on Proton so Windows games can run:
- Click “Steam” in the top-left corner.
- Choose “Settings”.
- Go to the “Compatibility” section (sometimes called “Steam Play”).
- Put a check mark next to “Enable Steam Play for supported titles”.
- Put another check mark next to “Enable Steam Play for all other titles”.
- In the dropdown menu, choose “Proton Experimental” as the default.
That’s it! Now when you install any game from your Steam library, Proton will start automatically for Windows games. Most popular games work very well without any changes.
Using ProtonDB – Your Best Friend for Game Compatibility
Before you buy or install a game, visit ProtonDB.com. This free website is made by the Linux gaming community. It shows real player reports about how well each game runs on Linux.
When you search for a game on ProtonDB, you will see a rating:
- Platinum = Works perfectly with no problems
- Gold = Works great with very small tweaks
- Silver = Playable but needs some fixes
- Bronze = Runs but has issues
- Borked = Does not work well yet
Read the top reports carefully. Players share which Proton version works best and what launch options (small text commands) help fix problems. For example, many games run much better with Proton-GE instead of the normal Proton.
Always check ProtonDB first. It saves you time and frustration.
Installing Proton-GE for Even Better Results
The normal Proton from Valve is good, but Proton-GE (made by GloriousEggroll) is often much better. It includes extra fixes for hundreds of games.
The easiest way to install Proton-GE is with a program called ProtonUp-Qt:
- Install ProtonUp-Qt using Flatpak:
flatpak install flathub net.davidotek.pupgui2- Open ProtonUp-Qt.
- Choose “Add Steam”.
- Select the newest Proton-GE version and click “Install”.
After it finishes, go back to Steam. Right-click any game, choose “Properties”, go to “Compatibility”, and pick your new Proton-GE version from the list.
Many difficult games suddenly run smoothly after switching to Proton-GE. It is one of the most powerful beginner tricks.
Playing Games from Epic, GOG, and Other Stores with Lutris
Steam is wonderful, but what about free games from Epic Games Store or older games from GOG?
Lutris is the best program for running games from everywhere. It makes setup easy.
Install Lutris with:
sudo apt install lutrisOpen Lutris and search for your game. When you find it, click “Install”. Lutris will download a ready-made script that sets up Wine or Proton automatically. It usually works with one click.
Another good option is Heroic Games Launcher. It is made specially for Epic and GOG games. You can install it through Flatpak too.
A useful trick inside Lutris is to turn on DXVK or VKD3D. These tools change DirectX (Windows graphics) into Vulkan (faster on Linux). Most install scripts turn this on automatically, but you can check in the game settings if needed.
Activating GameMode – Free Performance Boost
GameMode is a small but powerful tool. When a game starts, GameMode tells your computer to focus all power on the game. It stops background tasks, sets the CPU to high speed, and gives better priority to graphics.
Install GameMode:
sudo apt install gamemodeIn Steam, right-click a game → Properties → Launch Options, and write:
gamemoderun %command%In Lutris, GameMode is usually turned on by default.
Many players see 10–20% higher frames per second just by using GameMode. It is one of the easiest ways to make games feel smoother.
Small but Powerful Launch Options
Some games need a few words added to run better. These words are called launch options.
Here are some common helpful ones:
gamemoderun %command%– Turns on GameModePROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command%– Helps very old games__GL_SHADER_DISK_CACHE=1 %command%– Reduces stuttering after first playMANGOHUD=1 %command%– Shows frames per second and other info on screen
You can find the best launch options for each game on ProtonDB. Just copy and paste the ones that other players say work well.
Reducing Stutter and Getting Higher FPS
Stutter happens when the game suddenly slows for a moment. It feels bad during fast action.
Here are simple ways to reduce it:
- Let the game build its shader cache the first time you play. The first run may stutter, but after that it becomes smooth.
- Close all other programs (especially web browsers with many tabs).
- Install MangoHUD to see your FPS live:
sudo apt install mangohudThen add mangohud %command% to launch options.
For NVIDIA users, open the program called “nvidia-settings” and set PowerMizer mode to “Prefer Maximum Performance”.
Before playing, you can clear some memory junk with:
sudo sysctl -w vm.drop_caches=3These small steps often remove most stuttering.
Controllers Work Great on Linux
Good news: almost all controllers work perfectly on Linux. Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch Pro, and many others connect and work right away.
Steam has excellent controller support. Just plug in your controller or connect it by Bluetooth. In Steam settings you can customize buttons if you want.
If you play on a TV, use Steam’s Big Picture Mode. It makes everything big and easy to use with a controller.
Watching Your Game Performance
It helps a lot to see numbers while you play. MangoHUD is the best simple tool for this.
After you install MangoHUD, add this to launch options:
mangohud --dlsym %command%You will see frames per second, CPU use, GPU temperature, and more right on the screen. This helps you know if a setting or trick is really helping.
Keep Everything Updated
Linux gaming gets better every month. New drivers, new Proton versions, and new kernel updates bring more speed and fix old problems.
Make it a habit to update your system every week. In most distros you can just open the update program and click “Install Updates”. Or use the terminal command we learned earlier.
Follow websites like GamingOnLinux.com and the r/linux_gaming subreddit to learn about new tricks and new games that work great.
Final Thoughts – You Are Ready to Play
Linux gaming in 2026 is strong, fun, and beginner-friendly. With the steps in this guide – good distro, correct drivers, Proton-GE, GameMode, ProtonDB checks, and a few small tweaks – most games will run smoothly.
You do not need expensive new hardware. Many older computers play modern games well on Linux because the system is light.
Start small. Install Pop!_OS or Nobara. Set up Steam. Try Proton Experimental or Proton-GE. Check ProtonDB. Add GameMode. Play one game and enjoy how smooth it feels.
Soon you will wonder why you ever thought Linux gaming was hard.
Disclaimer: The information in this guide is intended for general purposes only. While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy, individual results may vary. Follow the steps carefully, and if you face any issues, seek help from official sources or communities. We are not responsible for any technical problems or data loss during the process. Always back up important files before making changes to your system.
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About the Author
John Giddings is an expert in app reviews and guides, helping parents and families understand and use digital tools easily. He writes clear, step-by-step articles on apps like ParentPay, showing how to make payments, stay organized, and get the most out of technology. John’s goal is to make complicated apps simple and safe for everyone to use.
