Bazzite Linux
Bazzite is an open source Linux distribution that is designed as an alternative to Valve's SteamOS 3. Bazzite is based on Fedora Linux rather than Arch Linux. It offers support for PC handheld devices, including the Steam Deck. Bazzite is named after the mineral, as Fedora Atomic Desktops once had a mineral naming scheme. It aims to deliver a seamless out-of-the-box experience for both casual and advanced Linux gamers.
History
Bazzite 1.0 was initially released in November of 2023 as a custom image of Fedora 38, as a distribution optimized for Linux gaming on PC and Steam Deck.
As of version 41 (based on Fedora 41), Bazzite supports "most x86_64 PCs from the last decade" as well as numerous gaming handhelds, including the Asus ROG Ally or the Lenovo Legion Go.
Features
Bazzite provides a gaming-focused Linux experience with out-of-the-box support for platforms like Steam, Lutris, and Heroic Games Launcher. It includes builds optimized for the Steam Deck and other handheld PCs, featuring controller support and hardware integration. Built on Fedora's rpm-ostree system, Bazzite uses an immutable design with atomic updates and rollback functionality. It supports both GNOME and KDE Plasma desktops, and comes with pre-installed proprietary Nvidia drivers as well as support for the Meta 3D stack. Bazzite emphasizes a Flatpak-based, sandboxed application ecosystem. A dedicated first-run configuration utility, Bazzite Portal, allows users to manage settings and install packages.
Reviews
Bazzite has been praised by gaming and tech publications for its ease of use, performance and optimization for gaming hardware. Forbes has been "recommending Bazzite because it's objectively better than Windows for [the ROG Ally]". Eurogamer said: "Bazzite provides a great SteamOS-like experience for Windows handheld users". "Directly comparing Bazzite and Windows, The Verge often found games ran faster, smoother, and used slightly less power with Bazzite's Linux operating system." According to XDA-Developers, "it's not only great for gaming handhelds, but even a desktop PC could be better off using Bazzite instead of Windows". PCGH wrote: "Gamers get a state of the art gaming operating system that combines almost all advantages of SteamOS with atomic updates and is substantially optimized."
