Best Retro Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 9,289 Retro 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. Retro game rankings were last updated on 5/5/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best retro games on Steam
- Best retro Steam Deck games
- Best retro Steam games (for Mac OS)
- Free retro games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Aseprite
Aseprite is a pixel-art tool to create 2D animations, sprites, and any kind of graphics for games.
Aseprite holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Retro game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,463 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17,309 positive reviews and 154 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. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Aseprite on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 2/22/2016 |
| Developer | David Capello |
| Publisher | Igara Studio |
| Steam App Id | 431730 |
2. Celeste
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.
Celeste has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 93,094 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 90,879 positive reviews and 2,215 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 | 1/25/2018 |
| Franchise | EXOK Games |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Maddy Makes Games Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 504230 |
3. Hotline Miami
Hotline Miami is a high-octane action game overflowing with raw brutality, hard-boiled gunplay and skull crushing close combat.
Hotline Miami has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 94,455 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 91,882 positive reviews and 2,573 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $1.99 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 | $1.99 |
| Release Date | 10/23/2012 |
| Developer | Dennaton Games |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 219150 |
4. Papers, Please
Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.
Papers, Please has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 68,170 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 66,279 positive reviews and 1,891 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.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 8/8/2013 |
| Developer | Lucas Pope |
| Publisher | 3909 |
| Steam App Id | 239030 |
5. Undertale
UNDERTALE! The RPG game where you don't have to destroy anyone.
Undertale has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 225,122 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 217,586 positive reviews and 7,536 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 Undertale on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
6. Baba Is You
Baba Is You is a puzzle game where the rules you have to follow are present as blocks you can interact with. By manipulating them, you can change how the game works, repurpose things you find in the levels and cause surprising interactions!
Baba Is You has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 19,806 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,383 positive reviews and 423 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 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 | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 3/13/2019 |
| Developer | Hempuli Oy |
| Publisher | Hempuli Oy |
| Steam App Id | 736260 |
7. Finding Paradise
A story-driven experience about two doctors traversing backwards through a dying man's memories to fulfill his last wish.
Finding Paradise has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,038 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,679 positive reviews and 359 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 Finding Paradise on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 12/14/2017 |
| Franchise | Freebird Games |
| Developer | Freebird Games |
| Publisher | Freebird Games |
| Steam App Id | 337340 |
8. Broforce
Broforce is an action-packed side-scrolling run ‘n’ gun ode to freedom, putting you in control of an under-funded, overpowered paramilitary organization dealing exclusively in excessive force.
Broforce has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 56,310 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 54,627 positive reviews and 1,683 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $2.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Broforce on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $2.99 |
| Release Date | 10/15/2015 |
| Franchise | Free Lives |
| Developer | Free Lives |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 274190 |
9. 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 #9 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 126,512 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 122,200 positive reviews and 4,312 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.
10. 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 #10 spot for the best Linux Retro games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,668 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,112 positive reviews and 556 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 |
More Retro Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Retro games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4,691 | 2/22/2016 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,802 | 1/25/2018 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 834 | 10/23/2012 | 96 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 601 | 8/8/2013 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,224 | 9/15/2015 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 233 | 3/13/2019 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 24 | 12/14/2017 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 636 | 10/15/2015 | 95 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,257 | 11/19/1998 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 72 | 12/10/2018 | 95 | $19.99 | 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. (2024, May 5). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 5). Aseprite on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 2). Celeste on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Hotline Miami on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 11). Papers, Please on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 13). Undertale on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 13). Baba Is You on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 3). Finding Paradise on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 17). Broforce on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Half-Life on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). DUSK on Steam. Steam Store.