Xodus Nexus, an open-source launcher, now allows Linux users to play Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass games without leaving their operating system. According to MakeUseOf, its latest update is built with handhelds like the Steam Deck in mind.
If you have ever wanted Game Pass on a Linux device without installing Windows, this project is worth a closer look. The catch, as always with Linux gaming, is that not every title behaves nicely.
Quick take
- Xodus Nexus is an open-source launcher for Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass games on Linux.
- Steam Deck support is one of the project’s newer updates.
- The launcher supports integration with Steam Gaming Mode.
- Users can browse their own games and the Game Pass catalogue.
- Cloud saves can be used when the relevant game supports them.
- Games can be added to Steam as non-Steam shortcuts.
What Xodus Nexus actually does
The launcher is built to make Microsoft-published PC games easier to reach from a Linux desktop or handheld. It handles two main libraries: your owned Microsoft Store games and the PC Game Pass catalogue.
Cloud save support is bundled in as well, with a clear limit: a game must actually offer cloud saves for the feature to do anything. That is standard in the wider Linux gaming scene and is not a flaw of this project specifically.
Steam users are not stuck juggling two launchers. Individual games can be dropped into Steam as non-Steam shortcuts. The project also plugs into Steam Gaming Mode, which is what the Steam Deck uses as its main interface.
It is not a magical Game Pass adapter. The developer is upfront that some titles do not run well, so expectations need to be grounded in actual compatibility rather than the size of the catalogue.
Why Steam Deck users may care
Before this update, Steam Deck owners who wanted Microsoft PC games usually had two paths. They could install Windows on the handheld, or stream games through a cloud service such as GeForce Now.
Windows is the environment Microsoft builds its PC games around, so it tends to deliver the smoothest experience. The price is real though: more storage used, more setup work, and a second operating system to maintain. Cloud streaming avoids a local install, but you need a dependable and fast connection for it to feel like local play.
Xodus Nexus slots in between those two choices. It tries to run supported games locally while keeping the user on Linux, and that matters on a device where storage is precious. The pitch is not that it beats Windows on every game, but that it removes Windows from the routine for the titles that already work.
For a Steam Deck owner, the practical appeal is convenience. Having a local route to Microsoft games without dual-booting is a real win for anyone who treats their handheld as a Linux-first device.
Our analysis: useful, but check the game first
This project fills a visible gap in the Linux handheld setup. Heroic Games Launcher already pulls together libraries from storefronts such as Epic, GOG and Amazon Prime Gaming, but Microsoft’s ecosystem has been the stubborn hold-out. Xodus Nexus takes direct aim at that hole.
The comparison worth making is with cloud streaming, not with other Linux launchers. Xodus Nexus runs games locally when possible, while GeForce Now and similar services stream them. Each approach has trade-offs. Local play is less dependent on the network and tends to feel more responsive, but only for games the launcher can actually handle. Cloud play is broader in coverage but relies on your connection staying healthy throughout a session.
There is a second trade-off. A growing launcher ecosystem does not mean every game is ready. The Steam Deck’s hardware has limits, and the developer openly says results are uneven. Compatibility should drive any subscription or purchase decision, not the headline.
| Option | Local install | Needs strong internet | Windows required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xodus Nexus | Yes, when supported | No | No |
| GeForce Now (Game Pass titles) | No | Yes | No |
| Install Windows on Steam Deck | Yes | No | Yes |
Treat Xodus Nexus as an additional route, not a complete replacement. Cloud gaming still earns its place for unsupported titles or when you simply want to try something without committing storage.
A practical Steam Deck example
Say you want a supported PC Game Pass title to live inside your Steam library. Install Xodus Nexus, sign in to your Microsoft account and browse the catalogue. If a game supports cloud saves, enable them before you launch the first time, so progress carries over later.
Add the game to Steam as a non-Steam shortcut. On the Deck, use the newer Steam Gaming Mode integration where it is available, then test controls and frame rates before settling into a long session.
A good rule of thumb: test two or three games first, not the full library. Keep a cloud streaming option in your back pocket for anything that stutters or refuses to launch.
What to watch next
Xodus Nexus is a meaningful step for Linux handheld gaming, particularly on Steam Deck. Open-source projects like this tend to improve quickly once a community takes an interest, so the compatibility picture is likely to shift over the coming months.
Keep your eye on per-game compatibility rather than the size of the supported list. Smooth local play on Steam Deck is the real benchmark. Until the launcher proves reliable across more titles, treat it as a useful addition for supported games rather than a full replacement for Windows or cloud gaming.
Key takeaways
- Xodus Nexus is a free, open-source launcher targeting Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass on Linux.
- Steam Deck support and Steam Gaming Mode integration make it relevant to handheld players.
- Cloud saves and non-Steam shortcuts are useful when individual games support them.
- Compatibility is uneven, so check games before relying on the launcher.
- Windows installation and cloud gaming remain sensible fallbacks for unsupported titles.
Frequently asked questions
Can Xodus Nexus run Game Pass games on Steam Deck?
Yes. It is built to run Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass games on Linux devices such as the Steam Deck.
Does it work with Steam Gaming Mode?
According to MakeUseOf, support for the Steam Deck and integration with Steam Gaming Mode is part of the launcher’s newer updates.
Can I use my cloud saves?
Xodus Nexus offers cloud save access, but only when the specific game supports that feature on its end.
Will every Game Pass title run smoothly?
No. The developer has said some titles do not run smoothly, so each game should be tested on the Steam Deck before being treated as a reliable option.
Do I still need Windows for Game Pass?
For supported titles, Xodus Nexus is designed to remove that need. For unsupported games, a Windows installation or a cloud streaming service may still be necessary.