If you’re using a Linux computer, you may think many games you want to play, especially a vintage classic, is going to require futzing with compatibility layers and other nonsense—if it’s playable at all. In reality, right at your fingertips are many fun and free games that emulate the ones you remember.
I’ve done a lot of digging in Linux software repositories in my time. They’re the places you get your standard free and open source apps like Firefox and LibreOffice. I’ve also found them to be absolute treasure troves of classic-inspired games you can play without any special configuration, compatibility layers, or emulator tools. If you know where to find them, you just download, install, and get out that game controller.
1 Commander Genius
I grew up playing Commander Keen games for MS-DOS, so Commander Genius was a great find for me. It refines the graphical experience of the original platformer series, adding elements like parallax scrolling and more vibrant colors. For those who want to not just relieve the memories but add some extra fun, it also gives you some entirely new ways to play, like local multiplayer co-op.
Technically, Commander Genius is just an engine for running Keen games, which you’re expected to already own and provide to the engine. However, the Secret of the Oracle episode remains a shareware game that Commander Genius can download for you, so you can start playing right now without making a purchase.
You can find Commander Genius in many Linux desktop software browsers. Commander Genius is also on Flathub.
You can also install it with some package managers:
sudo pacman -S commander-genius-git #Arch (AUR)
sudo zypper install commandergenius #openSUSE
2 Endless Sky
If you remember playing Escape Velocity games on the Mac in the 90s, or one of its sequels later on Windows, then you’ll want to check out Endless Sky. It’s a space trading and combat game with a top-down 2D perspective. As you explore and take on missions, you can eke out a living as a trader or a thief, or anything in between. You can outfit your ship as you go, moving between the game world’s 18 unique factions.
The game is in active development, and while the central game may be incomplete, there are many mods you can add as “plugins” to incorporate new content or just change up the experience.
You can find Endless Sky on Steam, as well as in many Linux software browsers. If you want to install via the command line, though, you can use these commands:
sudo apt install endless-sky #Debian and Ubuntu
sudo pacman -S endless-sky #Arch
sudo zypper install endless-sky #openSUSE
sudo dnf install endless-sky #Fedora
3 Mr.Boom
I played a ton of Bomberman Blast on the Wii back in the late 2000s, and while I may have been relatively late to the Bomberman scene, it’s never too late to pick up Mr.Boom. It’s a clone of the Bomberman series of games made originally for MS-DOS but ported onto Linux. It lets up to eight players compete in an attempt to be the last person alive in a tiny maze while laying bombs, claiming power-ups, and avoiding enemies.
If you install Mr.Boom, I recommend plugging in a game controller before playing. I tried playing with my keyboard first, and the controls scheme was very difficult to figure out, and as far as I could tell, there were no keyboard configuration options. It was much more enjoyable to play with my 8BitDo Pro 2 controller anyway.
Mr.Boom is in many Linux software repos. Try looking for it in your software browser, and if you can’t find it, just put one of these commands in your browser.
sudo apt install mrboom #Debian and Ubuntu
sudo pacman -S mrboom #Arch (AUR)
sudo zypper install mrboom #openSUSE
4 OpenArena
Craving a fast-paced FPS fight in gith quarters? Check out OpenArena, which you’ll recognize if you ever played Quake III Arena. When id open-sourced the id Tech 3 code in 2005, it was immediately forked as OpenArena. You play against other heroes in, well, an arena where you collect weapons and power-ups while you try to get the most kills on the other heroes.
Search your Linux distro’s software store for OpenArena. You can also install it with one of these commands.
sudo apt install openarena #Ubuntu and Debian
sudo pacman -S openarena #Arch (AUR)
sudo dnf install openarena #On Fedora Linux
5 OpenRA
OpenRA is going to make anyone who remembers the 90s-era Command & Conquer real-time strategy games feel right at home. It’s three-pronged project that includes open source recreations of Command & Conquer: Red Alert, Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn, and Dune 2000.
This is a fully modern remake, though, with features like Discord integration, game replays, and presets for contemporary control schemes. I played the Dune 2000 game quite a bit when the Dune movie came out. It was fun and challenging.
Unfortunately, the soundtracks and videos from all the original games are missing for licensing reasons. If you own the original game discs, you can copy the audio files into the OpenRA’s asset folders. If you don’t you can just stream the soundtracks to the original games while you play them, though they won’t be synced up to what’s happening in the game.
If your Linux software store comes up blank, you can find OpenRA on Flathub. If you’re running Arch Linux, you can also insatll it via the terminal:
sudo pacman -S openra
6 Space Station 14
OK, this one isn’t in most repositories, but I wanted to include it anyway as an out-of-the-ordinary pick. Space Station 14 is a remake of the quirky disaster simulator Space Station 13. It’s a role-playing game where you literally have a role on a ship that’s falling apart. You can create your character with all kinds of funny and interesting qualities and basically make the game what you want it to be.
When I first gave Space Station 14 a try, I was overwhelmed by the options and the chatter. Everyone’s playing their own character and communicating over text chat. The space station you’re in has all kinds of objects in it, and there are events happening constantly. It’s a lot to take in, but if you just let yourself be immersed in it, the atmosphere is fun and quirky.
You can install the game by finding Space Station 14 on Flathub. Since it’s an online-only game, be warned you’ll need to create an account.
7 Warzone 2100
If you want another RTS game, this time themed in the future and with a heavier emphasis on tanks, Warzone 2100 is the choice for you. The game was actually released all the way back in 1999, and since its source code was published by the developers, the fans took the code and updated it with modern mechanics and enhancements. There’s a single player story mode with multiple campaigns, single player skirmishes, plus online multiplayer.
I learned from starting the campaign that game videos have to be downloaded separately (and aren’t included in the installation dialog) if you’re playing on Linux or Mac. The videos are worth watching, so be sure to visit the FAQ page to download the video sequences. Be prepared to figure out where your game’s configuration file is. It might be different on yours, but on mine it was at:
/$user/home/.local/share/warzone2100
Warzone 2100 is often available in Linux software browsers. You can also install it using one of these commands in the terminal:
sudo apt install warzone2100 #Debian and Ubuntu
sudo pacman -S warzone2100 #Arch
sudo zypper install warzone2100 #openSUSE
sudo dnf install warzone2100 #Fedora
I’ve just scratched the surface of free and open source clones of popular games out there available for Linux. If none of these are quite your cup of tea, you can always take a look yourself in your distro’s repositories to see what classics are being remade there.
8Bitdo Pro 2
- Wireless?
- Yes
- Brand
- 8BitDo
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Compatible Systems
- Nintendo Switch, Windows, IOS, Mac, Android
The Retro Pro 2 tries to be all things to all retro gamers and by and large succeeds at it. It also happens to be compatible with Linux computers and the Steam Deck.
