How to Install Bazzite - The Best Linux Gaming Version

Linux Bazzite is a new gaming-focused Linux distribution built on Fedora Atomic technology. It is designed to provide a console-like experience similar to what SteamOS offers on the Steam Deck, while supporting a wide range of PCs, laptops, and handheld gaming devices. It's not perfect yet, as some games with firmware-level anti-cheat won't work, but it's getting a lot of attention and adoption at the moment, so follow along as this guide walks through the full installation process.

Linux Gaming Limitations and Anti-Cheat Issues

While Linux gaming has improved significantly, some games still do not work due to firmware-level or kernel level anti cheat systems. These anti-cheat solutions require deep access to Windows internals and are not compatible with Linux, even when using Proton.

Some popular games that currently do not work on Linux:

• Valorant due to Riot Vanguard
• Fortnite, because Easy Anti-Cheat Cheat not enabled for Linux
• Call of Duty Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, and Warzone
• Battlefield 6
• Destiny 2
• PUBG Battlegrounds

Some multiplayer games may launch but block online play or issue bans if anti-cheat is not supported. This is not a limitation of Bazzite itself, but a choice made by game publishers.

Note: Before switching to Linux full-time, it is strongly recommended to check ProtonDB and the official Steam Deck compatibility list to confirm whether your favourite games are supported. I also suggest not doing this on your main gaming PC as things might not work out how you expect them to if you have been gaming on Windows for a long time.

What You Need Before Installing Bazzite for Gaming

Important for Dual Boot Users: To avoid accidental data loss or changes to your Windows installation, it is strongly advised to physically disconnect the drive containing Windows while installing Bazzite. Once the installation is complete, you can safely reconnect the Windows drive.

Before starting, make sure you have the following:

• A PC or laptop with at least 8 GB of RAM is recommended
• A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB capacity
• A stable internet connection
• A keyboard and mouse or controller
• Backup of any important data on your system

Bazzite supports AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA GPUs. Secure Boot is supported but may need to be disabled depending on your system.

How to Install Bazzite - The Best Linux Gaming Version

• Visit the official Bazzite website.
• Choose the correct image for your hardware.
• KDE Plasma is recommended for most users.
• GNOME is available for those who prefer it.
• Game Mode only is ideal for living room or console style setups.
• Download the ISO file that matches your system.

Create the Bootable USB

You will need software to write the ISO to a USB drive.

• On Windows use Rufus or Balena Etcher.
• On macOS use Balena Etcher.
• On Linux use Fedora Media Writer or dd.

Select the Bazzite ISO, choose your USB drive, and start the flashing process. When finished, safely eject the USB drive.

• Insert the USB drive into the target computer.
• Power on the system and open the boot menu. This is usually done with F12, F10, Esc, or Del.
• Select the USB drive to boot from.
• Choose the option to start Bazzite.

After a short loading period, the graphical installer will appear.

Install Bazzite on your computer

The installer is simple and guided.

• Select your language and keyboard layout.
• Choose your time zone.
• Select the installation destination.
• Automatic partitioning is recommended for most users.
• Manual partitioning is available for advanced users.
• Create a user account and set a password.
• Review the summary and begin installation.

The installation usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes depending on your hardware. Once installation is complete, remove the USB drive and reboot.

On first boot:

• Log into your user account.
• Allow the system to complete initial setup.
• Run system updates if prompted.

Bazzite uses atomic updates, meaning updates apply safely and can be rolled back if something goes wrong.

Setting Up Gaming

Bazzite comes ready for gaming out of the box.

• Steam is preinstalled.
• Proton is enabled automatically.
• Controllers are detected without extra setup.

Sign into Steam, enable Steam Play for all titles, and start downloading your games. Flatpak can be used to install additional launchers like Heroic for Epic Games and GOG.

Installing Epic Games Launcher on Bazzite

Epic Games Launcher doesn’t have a native Linux version, but you can use Heroic Games Launcher, a popular open-source client that runs on Linux and manages Epic Games. It's not perfect but it's the only real option at this stage.

• Make sure Flatpak and Flathub are set up (see previous explanation).
• Install Heroic Games Launcher:

  flatpak install flathub com.heroicgameslauncher.hgl

• Run Heroic:

  flatpak run com.heroicgameslauncher.hgl

• Log in to your Epic Games account from within Heroic and start downloading your games.

Installing GOG Galaxy on Bazzite

GOG Galaxy also does not have a Linux version, but you can use Lutris to manage GOG games or Heroic (which supports GOG and Epic).

Option 1: Use Heroic for GOG

Heroic supports both Epic and GOG libraries, so if you installed Heroic already, you can add your GOG account inside it to access and launch your games.

Option 2: Install Lutris

Lutris is a gaming platform that helps run Windows games from multiple stores on Linux.

To install Lutris via Flatpak:

Run Lutris:

In Lutris, you can configure and install GOG games, often with community scripts to handle the installation and Wine configuration.