Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeTutorialsHow to Play Games on Linux | Easy Tutorial for Newbie

How to Play Games on Linux | Easy Tutorial for Newbie

Anyone at any age can find playing games a fun way to pass the time. Many operating systems offer access to great games, such as Windows PC, Linux, Xbox, and PlayStation. If you use Linux, don’t worry–you can easily play games on this OS too. In fact, Linux offers several gaming options like Native Linux Games, Browser Games, Windows Games, and Terminal Games.

Any Linux user knows that the open-source operating system can do everything from playing music to watching movies. However, many gamers still don’t realize they can also play their favorite games on Linux. Linux is the perfect platform for gamers. With its low cost, unlimited flexibility, and speedy performance, it’s no wonder why Linux gaming has become so popular.

You don’t need to spend any money on apps, and you don’t even need a crack or patch. You’ll need to do some things if you want to play all the games available for Linux, but overall, gaming is possible on this platform. You might be confused by what I’m saying–let’s go into more detail so we can explore gaming possibilities on Linux.

Why I am discussing Gaming on Linux


I have been repeatedly asked how to play games on Linux, so I will be providing inclusive and step-by-step guides on this topic. You should remember that I am not discussing gaming exclusively on Ubuntu; gaming Linux as a whole is what I will be talking about.

What Games Can You Play on Linux?


In Linux, you can play a number of cool games, such as Counter-Strike and Metro Last Night. However, in order to be able to play the newest Windows games on Linux, you’ll need to follow some special hacks – which we will touch on later.

The low statistic of 2.5% global Linux desktop usage discourages Development Studios from porting their games to the platform, with profit margins being the key concern. There are, however, a number of ways you can play the most popular games on Linux if you follow some tips and tricks.

I will break down this tutorial into 4 distinct parts.

  • Native Linux Games
  • Windows Games in Linux
  • Play Android Games on Linux
  • Terminal Games

Now, let’s explore the best places to find native games for Linux.

1. Native Linux Games


The most widely available games on Linux are native games. You can find many of these through your distribution’s default package manager or app store. Some popular stores include Ubuntu Software Center, GNOME Software, and KDE Discover. All you need to do is search for a game title, and you will be able to install it with just one click.

There are a few other ways you can natively play games on your computer. You don’t have to worry about installing any extra software to play these native Linux games- the required Linux Native Client comes pre-installed. To make things easier for you, I’m sharing all the best resource hubs where you can find your favorite games for Linux.

Software Repositories


Software repository

Before you can play any games on Linux, you need to first go to the software repositories of your installed Linus distribution. For example, I use Ubuntu, so the software center or snap store is where I get all my games. But depending on your own Linux distribution- such as Linux Mint, Manjaro, or Arch Linux- it may be different for you. In total, there are hundreds of Games available in various categories like sports, adventure, and more!

Steam


steam

Steam is the biggest gaming platform out there and offers a great selection of games for Linux users. Steam runs on Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint, and many more distributions – it even has its own client, so you don’t have to use any third-party apps. You can buy new games or join their community to play with friends online.

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GOG.com


Gog.com official site

GOG.com is a top platform for gamers where you can browse and download thousands of games quickly and easily. You can also purchase games and save them to your account for later use. Another great thing about GOG.com is that all of the games featured on the site are DRM free!

GOG stands for Good Old Games and is a digital store specializing in older PC games, some of which are available to play on Linux. It’s a great place to find classic titles such as the original Diablo or Duke Nukem 3D.

You don’t need to download and install a client app like Steam in order to play video games. With this web-based gaming hub, you can buy and play games across the primary desktop environment–all with a single account.

Lutris


LutrisLutris is an open-source gaming platform that supports various titles, including native Linux games, Windows Games, and emulated games. It’s a great resource for finding different titles for your computer. With this platform, you can also join online communities to play with other gamers.

Lutris is a great source for finding Linux-compatible games that you wouldn’t find on other platforms. So there you have it – the best resources to find and play cool games on your Linux machine! Whether it’s an old classic or a modern title, you can find plenty of options out there.

Portable Linux Games


Portable Linux Games is popular because you can download games to your hard drive and play them offline. This is handy when you have a poor internet connection or none. To install the game, simply double-click on the file you downloaded.

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Flathub Game Store


Flathub Game StoreFlathub is a great source for games if you want to install them directly from the web. It’s an open-source, flatpak-based game store where you can find some of the most popular titles. All you have to do is search for the game title and click “install” – it’s that easy!

2. Windows Games in Linux


Windows games can be played on Linux by using a few apps. Let’s explore how to play Windows games on Linux:

Wine on Linux


winehq_official_site

If you download and install WineHQ, a Windows emulator, on your Linux device, suddenly, many more games and applications become available to you that were previously not compatible with Linux. You can find Wine in the software center if you’re running Ubuntu or from other software repositories if you’re using a different Linux distribution.

Wine in Software center

WineHQ is a program that allows you to run Windows applications and games on Linux. It has many features which are compatible with Windows, making it easy to use your favorite software and games. You can check the website to see if your desired software or game is supported before downloading WineHQ.

PlayOnLinux


playonlinux_official

PlayOnLinux is an app that allows Linux users to install Windows games and applications easily. It has a huge library of supported games and programs, so you can quickly and easily play your favorite Windows games on Linux.

PlayOnLinux in software centerIt’s also incredibly user-friendly and easy to install. Simply open up the application, search for the game or application you want to install, choose the version of Wine you want to use (the app has a few versions available), and then click “Yes” to begin the installation.

CrossOver


CrossOver

CrossOver is great for playing Windows games on Linux. It is a professional application that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux. You can install CrossOver and then easily download, install, and play games such as Halo: Combat Evolved, Age of Empires II HD, FIFA Manager 14, etc.

CrossOver provides better gaming performance than WineHQ because it offers more features and has fewer bugs. It is also very simple to install and use, making it an ideal choice for Linux users who want to play Windows games.

Emulated Games


Best Game Emulator ConsolesIf you’re looking for a way to enjoy classic consoles like Nintendo DS, PlayStation 1, or Sega Genesis on your Linux computer, the best option would be emulated games. Linux games emulators are pieces of software that allow you to play games from other platforms on Linux.

For instance, if you want to play a Nintendo DS game on your Linux computer, you can use an emulator called DeSmuME. Similarly, for PlayStation 1 games, ePSXe is the one to go with, and for Sega Genesis, Kega Fusion is the best choice.

Once you install an emulator on your Linux computer, simply download a game’s ROM file and launch it to play the game. Please make sure that you don’t download copyrighted games without permission from their respective owners, as it can lead to legal issues.

3. Play Android Games on Linux


Android Emulators for Linux To Enjoy Android Apps in LinuxPlaying Android games on Linux is possible with an Android emulator. An Android emulator allows you to run Android apps and games on your Linux computer. If you’re a Linux power user, being able to run smartphone apps directly from your computer is extremely beneficial.

Android, the most popular smartphone operating system used by people worldwide, also uses the Linux ecosystem to reach its goals. Android emulators are computer applications that let you run any Android app or game directly from your Linux system.

The two most popular Android emulators for Linux are Genymotion and Anbox. Genymotion is a great emulator you can install on your Linux system and then download and play Android games directly. It offers good compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software, making it the best choice for gaming on Linux. However, it is not free, and you need to pay for a subscription in order to use it.

Anbox, on the other hand, is a free and open-source emulator. It doesn’t require any setup or configuration and offers excellent compatibility with Linux systems. With Anbox, you can run Android games directly from your Linux system without having to install any additional software.

Simply install Anbox, download a game’s APK file, and launch it to begin playing the game. Please note that you should only download legal copies of apps or games from trusted sources to avoid legal issues.

Other useful android emulators, such as ARChon and Bliss, are available for Linux. However, the two mentioned above are definitely the most popular choices among Linux users. Whichever emulator you choose to use, you can easily enjoy playing Android games on your Linux system.

4. Terminal Games


The Command-line, also known as “Terminal,” is a great way to play a large selection of Linux games. You don’t need to install any additional software or apps to play these games. All you have to do is open the terminal and type in the game’s command.

These games usually come pre-installed on most Linux distributions, but you can also find many more in your distro’s repository. Some popular ones include Pacman, Tetris, Nethack, Netris, and many others. We have gathered a list of the best Terminal console games and ASCII Games for your Linux system.

So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy some classic games on Linux without installing any additional software, Terminal games are the way to go.

Final Thought


Playing games on Linux doesn’t have to be difficult or frustrating. With the help of Wine, PlayOnLinux, CrossOver, and emulators, you can easily enjoy your favorite Windows games and applications without any issues. And with the various Terminal games available, you can also play classic console games in a few clicks. So there you have it – what are you waiting for? Get to gaming!

If you like this article, why not give us a like or share it on social media? We’d really appreciate it! Thanks.

Happy gaming! 🙂

Mehedi Hasan
Mehedi Hasan
Mehedi Hasan is a passionate enthusiast for technology. He admires all things tech and loves to help others understand the fundamentals of Linux, servers, networking, and computer security in an understandable way without overwhelming beginners. His articles are carefully crafted with this goal in mind - making complex topics more accessible.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Hi i am a noob on linux what i mean is i have installed a distro for 2 years now and never had any problem of attempted breach of my system so far,i also am not sure if even exist an Anti-virus for Linux.one thing for sure how safe are your Laptop Desktop Tablet Phone so on depends on the user.
    One thing i do right after having installed Linux at the first start up is enable the Firewall,with the obvious things to say = avoid opening emails from untrusted sources nor open links for example links that ask you to log in on your ebay account for any number of various reasons.
    There are plenty of sites that gives you tips on how to configure your Linux Firewall,i would suggest you to install any Honey Pot that along the Firewall will make it HARDER for anyone that attempt to breach your system.
    For my PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Linux is safer than windows,since i ran windows for a number of year till i gave up and switched to Linux…

  2. So I currently have Windows 7 and I am looking at having Linux installed on my HP Notebook 17″ Laptop Intel Core 13. I am addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook and also and Admin in one of the Bejeweled Blitzer Groups. I also do banking online and was wanting to know if Linux would be a good system for me to use. I also have Avast Premium Security, Avast Premium Clean Up & Avast VPN. It’s my understanding that I will not need a Security System on Linux. Is this a true statement and will I be able to play Bejeweled Blitz on Linux? It’s a PopCap game if that tells you anything.

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