I've actually never owned a console of any sort and I have no nostalgia for arcade gaming or Nintendo despite being tail-end Gen X. Xennial? Whatever. Anyway, I can think of some games that might fit the bill. Feel free to point out if any of these aren't what you were looking for.


Psychonauts (Native Linux).
Available on GOG as well. An absolute classic, as far as 3D platformers go. The new Psychonauts 2 should be good as well, haven't played it myself.

Alwa's Awakening and Alwa's Legacy (native Linux)
A faithfully NES-style (with an actual NES port) metroidvania platformer and it's SNES-style sequel. The first one has a slightly awkward control scheme, limited to two face buttons to be playable with a NES controller. That didn't stop me from finishing the game though. I only tested an early build of the sequel, but it seemed solid.

Owlboy (Native Linux)
A well designed platform adventure with gorgeous pixel graphics and some great characters.

Steamworld Dig (Native Linux)
Mining, platforming, steam-powered robots. Apparently -90% off currently. Need I say more? Since this game there's been several additions to the Steamworld series, and not all in the same genre. Haven't played them all, but Steamworld Heist was a good one.

World of Goo (Native Linux)
A weird and fun puzzle game. With a sequel now in the works, after 16 years.

Yooka-Laylee (Native Linux)
A solid console-style 3D platformer.

Evoland Legendary Edition (Native Linux *)
A fun and innovative console RPG that initially plays like a Gameboy game and ends up with more modern 3D graphics and gameplay. Something to do with time travel, can't remember the specifics. Both Evoland 1 and 2 are included in the purchase, but 2 isn't Native Linux. Thus the asterisk. Should work fine with Proton though.

A Short Hike (Native Linux)
A short but adorable adventure game with some great, quirky characters and plenty of fun to be had. Mostly about relaxed exploration. There's plenty to do, but most of it is optional. You just need to hike up that mountain.

Pikuniku (Native Linux)
So weird. So wonderful. Platformer.

Haven Park (Native Linux)
A fun little casual adventure in the same vein as A Short Hike above. Relaxing exploration, cute characters, good vibes.

A Monster's Expedition (Native Linux)
Cute brain teaser of a puzzle game. Family friendly, but probably way too difficult for a toddler. Unless they're way smarter than me. Which is entirely plausible.


...Sorry, too lazy for screenshots. And I didn't think to check if they support multiplayer, because I'm an antisocial bastard. Or maybe just a bit introverted.

Quoting: tuubiXennial?

Gen Xers. That's what you folks are called. I'm at the early part of the "Millennials" group, but always identified with the later Gen Xers myself. lol

Quoting: PenglingMicro Mages (Proton)
Vertically-scrolling platformer for up to four players, each controlling a tiny and cute little mage.

It comes with the NES ROM on Steam. So you could technically call it native with an asterisk. Cause there's plenty of native NES emulators.

Quoting: PenglingTanglewood (Native Linux, but broken; Use Proton or a workaround )
Enchanting retro-style puzzle-platformer with two different endings.

This also comes with the Genesis/Mega Drive ROM. So you can just use an emulator instead for this too.

I'd personally rather use a native Linux emulator over using Proton, but that's just me. I've also got the original hardware, and just playing them on those with an Everdrive is the ideal situation. But that's not the point of this topic though. :P

Dude! This is genius!! I too never owned a console growing up, but my family have, and love, their Switch. I totally get the aesthetic and why some many people love it (from kids to adults!) Kinda reminds me of the good wholesome "Kids" cartoons of the last few decades (Avatar, She-ra, etc).

If I might add a few (I hope I'm not too of base):

Hollow Knight
Needs really no introduction. It's the first Metroidvania I ever played and thus, everything since had been ruined by how great it is in comparison.


I know Dig was mentioned, but for some reason, I preferred Heist. It's a turn based tactics game, but leans a bit more into the puzzle side rather than the Chess side of strategy. It's quite fun!

Quoting: Linux_RocksGen Xers. That's what you folks are called. I'm at the early part of the "Millennials" group, but always identified with the later Gen Xers myself. lol

Yeah I know that's what we used to be called, but I've been called a Xennial more than once lately. You might fit that group as well if you're an early Millennial.

Quoting: denyasisI know Dig was mentioned, but for some reason, I preferred Heist. It's a turn based tactics game, but leans a bit more into the puzzle side rather than the Chess side of strategy. It's quite fun!

I did mention Heist, actually. But thanks for digging up the link.

Quoting: tuubi

Quoting: Linux_RocksGen Xers. That's what you folks are called. I'm at the early part of the "Millennials" group, but always identified with the later Gen Xers myself. lol

Yeah I know that's what we used to be called, but I've been called a Xennial more than once lately. You might fit that group as well if you're an early Millennial.

My bad, I didn't know that was actually a thing... 👀

One other thing is that Alwa's Awakening has DLC that gets you the NES ROM on Steam, and they also sell the NES ROM on Itch.io (it's on sale for $1.99 USD atm). So you can just play that via an NES emulator as well.

I'd like to add Duck Tales Remastered. The original version of the game was on the NES, but you can get the remastered game can get it on steam, usually for a few bucks, and it runs perfectly on Linux with Proton.

Quoting: tuubiYeah I know that's what we used to be called, but I've been called a Xennial more than once lately. You might fit that group as well if you're an early Millennial.

Or as we call you guys around here, the 16.04 generation.

I would also add Garfield Kart - Furious Racing to the list......

While not amazingly awesome....... It is a very good competent kart racer that would be a suitable replacement for Mario Kart....

It handles very well...... The powerups are nice....... The graphics are really nice...... The only issue is just how bland the game overall is..... In both track design and vehicle design......

If you have younger kids this would still be a great replacement to Mario Kart....

Quoting: StoneColdSpiderI would also add Garfield Kart - Furious Racing to the list......

While not amazingly awesome....... It is a very good competent kart racer that would be a suitable replacement for Mario Kart....

It handles very well...... The powerups are nice....... The graphics are really nice...... The only issue is just how bland the game overall is..... In both track design and vehicle design......

If you have younger kids this would still be a great replacement to Mario Kart....