Bazzite (operating system)
Bazzite is a Fedora-based Linux distribution designed to be similar to Valve's SteamOS 3 while still functioning as a normal computer. It offers support for handheld PC devices, including the Steam Deck. Bazzite is named after the mineral of the same name, as Fedora Atomic Desktops historically had used 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, optimized for Linux gaming on PC and Steam Deck.
As of version 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 Mesa 3D stack. Bazzite uses a Flatpak-based, sandboxed application ecosystem.Reviews
Bazzite has generally been well received by gaming and tech publications. ZDNet wrote: "If you want to game on Linux, Bazzite should be the first distribution you use." Forbes has been "recommending Bazzite because it's objectively better than Windows for ". Eurogamer said: "Bazzite provides a great SteamOS-like experience for Windows handheld users". 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."