Patreon Logo Support us on Patreon to keep GamingOnLinux alive. This ensures all of our main content remains free for everyone. Just good, fresh content! Alternatively, you can donate through PayPal Logo PayPal. You can also buy games using our partner links for GOG and Humble Store.
We use affiliate links to earn us some pennies. Learn more.

Gambonanza is easily one of the top games demos I played during Steam Next Fest, and now we know it's going to release on May 1st.

From the Steam page: "Gambonanza is a turn-based chess roguelike, set on a tiny board with higher stakes. Master tactical twists, invest your winnings and discover new rule-bending Gambits, tile and piece combinations. Face off against challenging bosses and get lost in all the ways you can break traditional chess!
Experience a Chess Revolution

Enter the wild world of Gambonanza, where traditional chess has been reimagined into a snackable, strategy-packed roguelike adventure. In this game, victory isn’t about capturing just the king; it’s about capturing every single piece on the board through masterful synergies! But be careful, if you waste too many moves the board will crumble around you…"

A demo is still available with Native Linux support that I highly recommend you try out and the latest trailer is below:

YouTube Thumbnail
YouTube videos require cookies, you must accept their cookies to view. View cookie preferences.
Accept Cookies & Show   Direct Link

Game Highlights:

  • Smaller Starting Boards that Pack a Punch: enjoy the strategic tension of a chess game packaged in snackable and high-impact rounds.
  • Synergistic Gambits & Pieces: Combine your chess pieces with over 150+ Gambits to unlock devastating combos and strategic surprises.
  • Dynamic Reserve System: Keep a stock of extra pieces off-board and deploy them at crucial moments to shift the balance of power.
  • Strategic Board Upgrades: Enhance your chessboard and hone your tactical edge with golden squares, blessing tiles, protective surfaces, and more!
  • Retro Aesthetic & Quirky Ambiance: Immerse yourself in vibrant pixel art with a nostalgic CRT filter, evoking the playful excitement of a fairground.
  • Engaging Mini-Games: Test your luck and skill in challenges inspired by pachinko, slot machines, and Gachapon, each offering game-changing upgrades.

I'm going to lose so many hours to this.

Release Date: 1st May 2026
Platform: 🐧 Native Linux
Official links:Steam
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
1 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly checked on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly.
See more from me
All posts need to follow our rules. Please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Readers can also email us for any issues or concerns.
1 comment

hardpenguin 5 hours ago
User Avatar
If you think you enjoy this game now just you wait until we add controler support 😎 (Disclaimer, I am helping with this game in an official capacity).
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon Logo Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal Logo PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
Login / Register