NVIDIA GeForce NOW Launches Native Linux App in Beta With RTX 5080 Cloud Access

NVIDIA finally delivered what Linux gamers have demanded for years. The company's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service now has a native Linux application, currently in beta, bringing RTX 5080 performance to Ubuntu desktops without requiring expensive local hardware.

The January 29, 2026 launch supports Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and later, with streaming capabilities reaching up to 5K resolution at 120 frames per second for Ultimate tier subscribers. Some titles can hit 360 fps at 1080p—numbers that would require serious GPU investment to achieve locally.

What Linux Users Actually Get

This isn't just a repackaged Steam Deck client. NVIDIA built this specifically for desktop and notebook Linux systems, matching the feature set of Windows and macOS versions. That means access to YUV 4:4:4 chroma subsampling and Cinematic Quality Streaming mode—features browser-based access couldn't properly deliver.

Hardware requirements stay reasonable: a dual-core x86/x64 CPU at 2.0GHz, 4GB RAM, and a GPU supporting H.264 or H.265 Vulkan video codecs. GeForce 10 series or newer works, though NVIDIA specifically recommends driver version 580.126.09. Users running the newer 590 driver have reported compatibility issues worth noting.

One catch for NVIDIA GPU owners: stick with X11 for now. Wayland support exists but isn't fully baked yet.

The Fine Print on Streaming Limits

NVIDIA introduced a 100-hour monthly streaming cap for paid tiers. Heavy users can purchase extensions, but this represents a shift from the previous unlimited model that some subscribers might find frustrating.

Ten Games Join the Library

The launch coincides with several additions to GeForce NOW's catalog. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 arrives on Xbox with Game Pass support on January 29, ready for RTX 5080 streaming. Cairn, the survival-climbing game from The Game Bakers, launches the same day.

Other new titles include Half Sword (January 30), Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (January 30), and both The Bard's Tale IV: Director's Cut and The Bard's Tale Trilogy. Delta Force deploys to the cloud on February 3.

Why This Matters Beyond Gaming

For years, Linux users cobbled together workarounds—browser streaming through Chrome or Edge with inconsistent hardware acceleration, or Wine-based hacks that rarely worked smoothly. A native client removes those friction points.

The timing aligns with broader Linux gaming momentum. Steam Deck adoption pushed developers to improve Linux compatibility, and this GeForce NOW expansion suggests NVIDIA sees the platform as commercially viable rather than a hobbyist afterthought.

The beta app is available now through NVIDIA's download page. Given it's beta software, expect some rough edges—but for Linux users tired of second-class cloud gaming, those edges might be worth tolerating.