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PC and handheld gaming with Linux levels up with Bazzite v2.3.0

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Bazzite version 2.3.0 has been released, and it should make installing it a whole lot easier across different devices from PCs to handhelds. The developers think it's the "next generation of Linux Gaming".

Reminder on what it is: Bazzite is a custom image of Fedora Atomic Linux utilizing Universal Blue's image framework designed to bring users the best in Linux gaming for their PCs, including the Steam Deck and other handhelds. So think of it like a much fancier more customizable version of SteamOS.

With the new release of Bazzite version 2.3.0 it includes offline ISOs, which should be faster and fix issues people had where it wouldn't boot and they've also managed to get Ventoy support in too (which is a great tool for booting almost any ISO). More installer improvements are planned too, this is just the start.


Pictured - Steam Big Picture Mode.

Some of the other improvements in Bazzite 2.3.0 include:

  • A warning when the currently booted image is over a month old.
  • Automatic nested desktop resolution handling for a number of handhelds.
  • Improvement to support for GPD Win Mini, GPD Max 2, GPD Win 4.
  • Added joystickwake to keep screen alive from controller input.
  • Added support for the AYANEO Air Plus.
  • Defaults to X11 on NVIDIA now.
  • Support for REALTEK RTL8814AU and RTLXXAU devices.
  • BoxBuddy included pre-installed for a Distrobox UI.
  • Improvements to the upgrade system.
  • Lots of bug fixes everywhere.
  • + plenty more.

The developers said they also plan to support the MSI Claw and Orange Pi Neo, with Steam Deck OLED support currently stuck due to issues with newer Linux kernels (but the original Steam Deck LCD is supported).

You can see all the 2.3.0 changes on GitHub and check out their overview post. See the official site for downloads.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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9 comments

Pengling Feb 27
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Assuming that Bazzite is ok with the Intel version of the GPD Win Max 2021, I'd love to try it on mine. It's been used less since I got my Steam Deck, and I'd like to give it a more appropriate OS than just using plain Mint Xfce on it.
wurschti Feb 27
Quoting: PenglingAssuming that Bazzite is ok with the Intel version of the GPD Win Max 2021, I'd love to try it on mine. It's been used less since I got my Steam Deck, and I'd like to give it a more appropriate OS than just using plain Mint Xfce on it.

You could use OpenGamepadUI https://github.com/ShadowBlip/OpenGamepadUI/

BTW does Bazzite support eGPUs? If not, is anyone aware of a gaming centric distro with eGPU support? I'd like to fiddle as little as possible and while ChimeraOS was very nice to me, I had to switch to Windows after getting my eGPU and half an hour later I did not want to game anymore.


Last edited by wurschti on 27 February 2024 at 3:11 pm UTC
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This looks interesting!
Mohandevir Feb 27
Oh! I like the new iso selection window. I had a hard time selecting the version I wanted, last time and ended up with the wrong one.

Trying it on my couch PC, at this moment.

Edit: I really like it. Just found a great alternative to Holoiso. On top of that, colors seem more vibrant on Bazzite.


Last edited by Mohandevir on 27 February 2024 at 7:52 pm UTC
deathxxx Feb 27
I cannot understand what is meaning HDR support?
Is support Nvidia? Or Just AMD with selected games?
I thought linux don't have any HDR support at least on Nvidia side.
udekmp69 Feb 27
Quoting: PenglingAssuming that Bazzite is ok with the Intel version of the GPD Win Max 2021, I'd love to try it on mine. It's been used less since I got my Steam Deck, and I'd like to give it a more appropriate OS than just using plain Mint Xfce on it.

You won't get functional Game Mode from what I can tell. Intel GPUs that are not ARC dGPUs do not have the required Vulkan extensions for gamescope-session, sadly. You can run the desktop version but you will have to use Steam's Big Picture Mode.

Quoting: deathxxxI cannot understand what is meaning HDR support?
Is support Nvidia? Or Just AMD with selected games?
I thought linux don't have any HDR support at least on Nvidia side.

Game Mode images include HDR. KDE Plasma and GNOME plan to implement HDR later, but yeah obviously that isn't here yet. If you plan to have Game Mode installed (which doesn't work on Nvidia and most Intel GPUs like I said above) then HDR works as well as it would on the Steam Deck.

They offer Desktop images that have support for most hardware (like Nvidia GPUs) though, but it's like having SteamOS in Desktop Mode only if that's a deal breaker. Although unlike SteamOS, it isn't as limiting as you can still overlay Fedora packages to the image plus there's a whole emphasis on containers so you can use essentially any package manager as long as those packages don't need to be at a "system-level."


Last edited by udekmp69 on 27 February 2024 at 6:22 pm UTC
Pengling Feb 28
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Quoting: udekmp69You won't get functional Game Mode from what I can tell. Intel GPUs that are not ARC dGPUs do not have the required Vulkan extensions for gamescope-session, sadly. You can run the desktop version but you will have to use Steam's Big Picture Mode.
Oh damn. Thanks so much for the info! I guess I'll leave it as-is for now.
BigRob029 Feb 28
I've been running Bazzite on the OG Steam Machine (trying to bring everything full circle). It's old, slow, takes forever to update, but it totally works. X11 for nvidia is a blessing.
...now if only Steam Big Picture Mode would open in full screen and not leave the taskbar at the bottom of the screen it would be perfect. it had one job.


Last edited by BigRob029 on 28 February 2024 at 2:47 pm UTC
14 Mar 2
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...next generation of Linux Gaming equates to a more console-like experience? I am not saying it's a bad thing, but it also doesn't add something new. OK, you can pick or build your own hardware. That's a big difference -- a difference that brings the double-edged sword of user choice versus smooth and tested experience.

Really cool project. Maybe I take people's choice of words too seriously... or maybe they don't take them seriously enough.
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