For some time, gaming has been Linux’s Achilles’ heel, but things are getting better. More games are coming available for Linux on a regular basis, and many platforms, such as Steam, are offering games for Linux, or Linux compatibility for games.
Pacman
Pacman is available through the Ubuntu repositories. To install it, simply type at the terminal:
sudo apt-get install pacman
This is a simple keyboard-controlled game. Just use the arrow keys to direct Pacman through the maze, eating the yellow dots.
There is also a terminal version of the Pacman game available. To install it, type:
sudo apt-get install pacman4console
Then type “pacman4console” to launch the game.
Space Invaders
Ninvaders is a free and open source Space Invaders clone for the Linux terminal. You can install it with the following commands:
Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt-get install ninvaders
CentOS/Red Hat
sudo yum install ninvaders
Fedora
sudo dnf install ninvaders
To play Ninvaders, just move the right and left arrow keys to move your ship, then press the space bar to fire at the aliens.
Bejeweled
Gweled is a free and open source version of the popular Bejeweled puzzle game. To install it in Ubuntu/Debian, type:
sudo apt-get install gweled
To play, just click and drag the jewels with your mouse to make combinations. If you wait long enough, Gweled will give you a move suggestion in the form of a sparkle on one of the jewels.
Runescape
The ever-popular MMORPG Runescape is now available as a Flatpak for Linux. In this adventure game you can do combat, mining, smithing, cooking, quests, and other fun activities. This version of RuneScape is a full installation, not in-browser gameplay. If you have Flatpak installed, you can install it by typing:
flatpak install flathub com.jagex.RuneScape
You will need to have Java or OpenJDK installed on your Linux system to run RuneScape.
Toontown
Disney’s Toontown Online shut down its servers in 2013, but the game has since enjoyed a huge fan revival. The most popular fan-made version is ToonTown Rewritten. In this game, you throw gags at Cogs, who have made Toontown a miserable place by changing the pretty Toon buildings into gray Cog buildings. You can join with other Toons in teams to fight the Cogs. Each Toon gets a house, and there are also mini-games, such as fishing and minigolf.
Second Life
Second Life is available in Linux through the FireStorm Viewer. Second Life still has a lot of interesting environments to visit, but it’s a bit of a ghost town compared to what it was like a few years back. If you don’t mind the low population count, if you like to create your own 3D environments, or if you prefer solitary gameplay, Second Life is still worth a visit.
Additional Reading
How to Install ProjectM Audio Visualizations
How to Install and Use Flatpak
Living the Linux Lifestyle 