Best Short Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 2,107 Short 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. Short game rankings were last updated on 5/18/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best short games on Steam
- Best short Steam Deck games
- Best short Steam games (for Mac OS)
- Free short 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 Short game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 156,541 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 154,187 positive reviews and 2,354 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.
2. A Short Hike
Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.
A Short Hike has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,164 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,044 positive reviews and 120 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $7.99 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.
3. Helltaker
Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.
Helltaker has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 118,169 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 115,566 positive reviews and 2,603 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Helltaker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
4. Pineapple on pizza
Can a video game convey a flavor?
Pineapple on pizza has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,856 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,412 positive reviews and 444 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free 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.
| Release Date | 3/28/2023 |
| Developer | Majorariatto |
| Publisher | Majorariatto |
| Steam App Id | 2263010 |
5. Gunpoint
Gunpoint is a stealth puzzle game that lets you rewire its levels to trick people. You play a freelance spy who takes jobs from his clients to break into high security buildings and steal sensitive data.
Gunpoint has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,602 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12,292 positive reviews and 310 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, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 6/3/2013 |
| Developer | Suspicious Developments |
| Publisher | Suspicious Developments |
| Steam App Id | 206190 |
6. To the Moon
A story-driven experience about two doctors traversing backwards through a dying man's memories to artificially fulfill his last wish.
To the Moon has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 74,127 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 71,417 positive reviews and 2,710 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 To the Moon on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 9/7/2012 |
| Franchise | Freebird Games |
| Developer | Freebird Games |
| Publisher | Freebird Games |
| Steam App Id | 206440 |
7. Mark of the Ninja
In Mark of the Ninja, you'll know what it is to truly be a ninja. You must be silent, agile and clever to outwit your opponents in a world of gorgeous scenery and flowing animation. Marked with cursed tattoos giving you heightened senses, every situation presents you with options.
Mark of the Ninja has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,788 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,314 positive reviews and 474 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 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.
| Developer | Klei Entertainment |
| Publisher | Microsoft Studios |
| Steam App Id | 214560 |
8. BABBDI
Find your way out of BABBDI. A short, first person exploration experience.
BABBDI has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,407 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,317 positive reviews and 90 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play BABBDI on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 12/22/2022 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Lemaitre Bros |
| Steam App Id | 2240530 |
9. Hook
HOOK is a short minimal, puzzle game.
Hook has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,792 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,526 positive reviews and 266 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. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Steam Price | $1.99 |
| Release Date | 7/6/2015 |
| Developer | Maciej Targoni |
| Publisher | Maciej Targoni |
| Steam App Id | 367580 |
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 Short games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 29,807 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 28,534 positive reviews and 1,273 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $7.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, 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 Short Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Short games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 540 | 10/10/2007 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 43 | 7/30/2019 | 97 | $7.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 108 | 5/11/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 3/28/2023 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 10 | 6/3/2013 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 39 | 9/7/2012 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 7 | ??? | 94 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
 | 23 | 12/22/2022 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4 | 7/6/2015 | 94 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 116 | 6/1/2006 | 94 | $7.99 | 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 18). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Portal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 14). A Short Hike on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 1). Helltaker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Pineapple on pizza on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Gunpoint on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). To the Moon on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 30). Mark of the Ninja on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 6). BABBDI on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 13). Hook on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Half-Life 2: Episode One on Steam. Steam Store.