Best Classic Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 1,684 Classic games, but not all of them are able to be played on Linux builds. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Classic game rankings were last updated on 1/3/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best classic games on Steam
- Best classic Steam Deck games
- Best classic Steam games (for Mac OS)
- Free classic games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Portal
Portal™ is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.
Portal holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Classic game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 171,684 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 169,043 positive reviews and 2,641 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
2. Half-Life 2
Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.
Half-Life 2 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 232,012 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 226,438 positive reviews and 5,574 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
3. Counter-Strike
Play the world's number 1 online action game. Engage in an incredibly realistic brand of terrorist warfare in this wildly popular team-based game. Ally with teammates to complete strategic missions. Take out enemy sites. Rescue hostages. Your role affects your team's success. Your team's success affects your role.
Counter-Strike has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 246,290 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 239,981 positive reviews and 6,309 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Counter-Strike on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
4. POSTAL 2
Live a week in the life of "The POSTAL Dude"; a hapless everyman just trying to check off some chores. Buying milk, returning an overdue library book, getting Gary Coleman's autograph, what could possibly go wrong?
POSTAL 2 has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 109,922 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 106,380 positive reviews and 3,542 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 11/2/2012 |
| Franchise | Postal Franchise |
| Developer | Running With Scissors |
| Publisher | Running With Scissors |
| Steam App Id | 223470 |
5. Half-Life
Named Game of the Year by over 50 publications, Valve's debut title blends action and adventure with award-winning technology to create a frighteningly realistic world where players must think to survive. Also includes an exciting multiplayer mode that allows you to play against friends and enemies around the world.
Half-Life has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 143,540 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 138,603 positive reviews and 4,937 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
6. Half-Life 2: Episode Two
Half-Life® 2: Episode Two is the second in a trilogy of new games created by Valve that extends the award-winning and best-selling Half-Life® adventure. As Dr. Gordon Freeman, you were last seen exiting City 17 with Alyx Vance as the Citadel erupted amidst a storm of unknown proportions.
Half-Life 2: Episode Two has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 41,987 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,747 positive reviews and 1,240 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
7. DUSK
Battle through an onslaught of mystical backwater cultists, possessed militants & even darker forces as you attempt to discover just what lurks beneath the Earth in this retro FPS inspired by the '90s legends.
DUSK has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 22,786 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,186 positive reviews and 600 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 12/10/2018 |
| Franchise | New Blood Interactive |
| Developer | David Szymanski |
| Publisher | New Blood Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 519860 |
8. Sid Meier's Civilization® V
Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!
Sid Meier's Civilization® V has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 201,576 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 193,216 positive reviews and 8,360 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Sid Meier's Civilization® V on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 9/21/2010 |
| Franchise | Civilization Franchise |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 8930 |
9. Black Mesa
Relive Half-Life.
Black Mesa has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 121,594 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 115,834 positive reviews and 5,760 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Black Mesa on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 3/6/2020 |
| Developer | Crowbar Collective |
| Publisher | Crowbar Collective |
| Steam App Id | 362890 |
10. Half-Life 2: Episode One
Half-Life 2 has sold over 4 million copies worldwide, and earned over 35 Game of the Year Awards. Episode One is the first in a series of games that reveal the aftermath of Half-Life 2 and launch a journey beyond City 17. Also features two multiplayer games. Half-Life 2 not required.
Half-Life 2: Episode One has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 31,991 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 30,638 positive reviews and 1,353 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Half-Life 2: Episode One on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Classic Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Classic games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 575 | 10/10/2007 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 3,011 | 11/16/2004 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 10,785 | 11/1/2000 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 462 | 11/2/2012 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,410 | 11/19/1998 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 45 | 10/10/2007 | 95 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
| 62 | 12/10/2018 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 14,990 | 9/21/2010 | 95 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 870 | 3/6/2020 | 94 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 37 | 6/1/2006 | 94 | ??? | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Portal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 7). Half-Life 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Counter-Strike on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 9). POSTAL 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 14). Half-Life on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Half-Life 2: Episode Two on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 13). DUSK on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 6). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 1). Black Mesa on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Half-Life 2: Episode One on Steam. Steam Store.