1. Free Linux Games

As you can see in the software installer (see Chapter 5, Package Management), Mandriva Linux offers a wide variety of games to be installed, sorted by category.

Figure 3.1. Installing Games

Installing Games

The game quality varies greatly from one to another, so it's better you just test them and make your choice according to your taste. We're only highlighting a few of them here.

1.1. Frozen Bubble

  • Package: frozen-bubble

  • Menu: More Applications+Games+ArcadeFrozen Bubble

This arcade-type game consists of firing colorful bubbles to build groups of at least three-of-a-kind bubbles. Once you get three, they fall off and you go shooting at other bubbles before your time runs out. It features 100 levels for a one-player game; finish the level quicker than your opponent in 2-player mode. Great stereo music and sound effects. Don't make that little penguin at the bottom of the screen cry!

How long will you be addicted?

1.2. Supertux

  • Package: supertux

  • Menu: More Applications+Games+ArcadeSuperTux

One of the most interesting games is a clone of Super Mario called SuperTux. It features Tux the Penguin as he tries to save his beloved Penny from the arms of his arch-enemy, Nolok. The first milestone of this game features 26 levels and 9 enemies which you must help Tux jump over, squash or shoot at. Try out the 2 bonus levels and you can even draw up your own levels with the level editor.

1.3. X-Moto

  • Package: xmoto

  • Menu: More Applications+Games+ArcadeX-Moto

Ride your all-terrain motorcycle through beautiful, but hard, landscapes while collecting fruit to achieve the goal: get a nice flower for your beloved one. Impressive physics and nice graphics make this game a joy to play. Make your choice from predefined levels, download levels from X-Moto's home page on the Internet or create your own. You can also save replays of your rides to watch later or show them to your friends. Start your engine and go ride your bike!

1.4. KDE Cute Games

  • Package: kdegames

  • Menu: More Applications+Games

Boards

Play classic board games such as chess, backgammon and battleship! Some games are network-enabled such as chess (check out the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS) for instance).

Cards

Bored out of your mind? How about a quick game of patience or poker? Start off your KPoker game with a 100$ and... try not to lose it all!

Strategy

Spend a few minutes (or a few hours...) demystifying games such as KSokoban, KAtomik or SameGame.

1.5. StepMania

  • Package: stepmania

  • Menu: More Applications+Games+ArcadeStepMania

Who said computer gaming is not a sport? StepMania will make you sweat in front of your monitor.

Requirements

  • Good sound.

  • A USB Dance Pad.

Procedure 3.1. Installing the Songs

Abstract

By default, StepMania comes with no songs. To install them, follow these steps.

  1. Connect to the Stepmania Songs Download Section, and download a song pack, opening it in the archive manager.

  2. Create a StepMania directory in your home folder, and extract the archive content in it.

Start the game. All is now set for you to play! Start StepMania from the main menu, and follow the on-screen instructions. Have fun.