Want to play some games on your Ubuntu or Linux Mint PC? Here are 21 games easy to install via an Ubuntu PPA.
There are a few great game platforms for Linux, e.g., Steam and GOG. Though, without installing a third-party platform, there are many games available to directory install via .deb packages in Ubuntu Linux. Here are a list from xtradeb ppa as well as how to install guide.
Step 1: Add the PPA to your system:
Remember the old GetDEB.net and PlayDEB.net? They were the popular third-party repositories for Ubuntu, that contains a large list of app and game packages.
A team member from GetDEB is now maintaining two PPAs, one for Ubuntu apps and another for games. So far, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 24.04, and their based systems e.g., Linux Mint 22, 21, and 20 are supported.
Firstly, either press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or search for and open terminal from start menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xtradeb/play
Next, for some Ubuntu based systems user may manually update the package cache via command:
sudo apt update
Finally, choose install the game packages below either via apt command or synaptic package manager (available to install in Ubuntu Software).
Step 2: Choose install the games as prefer:
The repository so far contains 21 game packages. Though, user may ask more by filing a bug at the project page.
1. 0 A.D.
0 A.D. (pronounced “zero ey-dee”) is a free, open-source, cross-platform real-time strategy (RTS) game of ancient warfare. It allows players to relive or rewrite the history of Western civilizations, focusing on the years between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D.
The game package is available in Ubuntu’s own repository. And, it has an official PPA to make the latest version easy to install. Though, the xtradeb play PPA adds the package into its collection.
After adding the PPA, use your system package manager or run command to install 0 A.D.:
sudo apt install 0ad
2. EDuke32
EDuke32 is a free open-source homebrew game engine source port of the classic PC first person shooter Duke Nukem 3D.
Ubuntu user may easily install the game after setting up the PPA, by running command in terminal:
sudo apt install eduke32
3. ET: Legacy
ET: Legacy is an open source project aims to create a fully compatible client and server for the popular online FPS game Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory.
User may install the game package by running command below after adding PPA:
sudo apt install etlegacy
4. Gameplay Football
As the name indicates, it’s a football game. No more description… And, the source code is available at github page.
After adding the PPA, Ubuntu and Linux Mint based system users may install the game via command:
sudo apt install gameplayfootball
5. GZDoom
GZDoom is a feature centric port for all Doom engine games, based on ZDoom, adding an OpenGL renderer and powerful scripting capabilities.
To install the package, run the command below after setting up the PPA:
sudo apt install gzdoom
6. Mega Mario
Mega Mario is a clone of Super Mario Bros. 1, with better graphics, higher resolution, smoother movement and new levels.
To install the game, use the command below after adding PPA:
sudo apt install megamario
7. OpenRA
OpenRA is an open-source implementation of Command & Conquer: Red Alert.
The game package is available to install via Snap, Appimage, and Flatpak. For those sticking to the native .deb package, install it via command:
sudo apt install openra
8. Red Eclipse
Red Eclipse is an open-source first-person shooter forked from Cube 2: Sauerbraten. Like the original Cube 2, it features multiplayer gameplay as well as in-game level editing, but with improved graphics and a focus on parkour movement.
The game package is available in Ubuntu universe repository, though always old! To install the latest release, run the command below after setup the PPA:
sudo apt install redeclipse
9. ScummVM
ScummVM, stands for Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion Virtual Machine, is a set of game engine recreations. It’s a free software originally designed to play LucasArts adventure games using SCUMM system. Though, it also supports non-SCUMM games by companies like Revolution Software and Adventure Soft.
To install the game, run command below in terminal after setup PPA:
sudo apt install scummvm
10. Speed Dreams
Speed Dreams, formerly known as Torcs-NG, is a free open-source 3D racing game. It supports a variety of input devices, such as keyboards, mouses, joypads, joysticks, racing wheels and pedals.
To install it, use command:
sudo apt install speed-dreams
11. Stepmania
StepMania is a free open-source rhythm video game and engine, that was developed as a clone of Konami’s arcade game series Dance Dance Revolution. The software features 3D graphics, keyboard and “dance pad” support, and an editor for creating your own steps.
User may install it via the command below. And, I’ve written about how to install songs and themes for it.
sudo apt install stepmania
12. Stunt Rally:
Stunt Rally is a 3D racing game based on VDrift and OGRE with track editor. It’s free open-source, and features 172 tracks in 34 sceneries, 20 cars to choose, 1 motorbike, 3 hovering spaceships and 1 bouncing sphere. And, it support different game modes and difficulty.
Install the game via command after setup the PPA:
sudo apt install stuntrally
13. SuperTuxKart:
SuperTuxkart is a free open-source kart racing game. The game package is available in Ubuntu universe repositories but old.
The game has an official Ubuntu PPA maintains the latest packages. Though, user may also install it from xtradeb PPA using command:
sudo apt install supertuxkart
14. Terasology:
Terasology is Minecraft inspired game, but free and open-source.
Ubuntu user may install it from xtradeb play PPA via command:
sudo apt install terasology
15. The Secret Chronicles of Dr. M.
The Secret Chronicles of Dr. M. (TSC) is a two-dimensional sidecrolling platform game based on OpenGL and SDL. It features a rich set of levels plus an advanced level editor allows to create your own levels.
TSC has official .deb packages available to download at its website. Though, Ubuntu user may install it from PPA via command:
sudo apt install tsc
16. Urban Terror
Urban Terror is free multiplayer first person shooter game. It is originally a total conversion of Quake III Arena. And, it’s open-source for the game engine, while the code is closed source.
To install the game, run the command below after setup the PPA:
sudo apt install urbanterror
17. VDrift
VDrift is a free open-source driving simulation made with drift racing in mind. The driving physics engine was recently re-written from scratch.
The game features simulation-grade driving physics, tracks and cars based on real-world ones, AI players, and mouse, joystick, gamepad, wheel, keyboard support.
To install it, use command:
sudo apt install vdrift
18. Warsow
Warsow, aka War§ow, is a free open-source fast-paced first-person shooter video game.
The game works in Linux, Windows, and MacOS. And, Ubuntu user may install it via the command below after setup the PPA:
sudo apt install warsow
19. Warzone 2100
Warzone 2100 is a free open-source real-time strategy and tactics hybrid computer game.
The game packages is available in Ubuntu universe repository, but old. To install the latest version, use the command below after adding the PPA:
sudo apt install warzone2100
20. The Battle for Wesnoth
The Battle for Wesnoth is a free open-source turn-based strategy video game with a high fantasy setting. It features both singleplayer and online/hotseat multiplayer combat.
User may install the game by running the command below in terminal:
sudo apt install wesnoth
20. Xonotic
Xonotic is another fast-paced first-person shooter. It’s a free open-source video game runs on a heavily modified version of the Quake engine known as the DarkPlaces engine.
As well, it features both single and multiple player modes. After adding the PPA, user may install the game via command:
sudo apt install xonotic
Uninstall Games:
To remove a game package, simply run the command below in terminal:
sudo apt remove --autoremove <package_name>
And, remove the Ubuntu PPA if you want by running command:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:xtradeb/play
That’s all. Enjoy!
