Someone managed to squeeze KDE and Steam onto their Nintendo Switch Lite

Published Sep 30, 2026, 2:22 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary This Switch Lite now runs Arch Linux, KDE Plasma, and the Steam client with gamepad UI. Many obstacles remain: graphics, Gamescope, ARM-to-x86 translation, Proton/Wine, and performance. The goal is to boot straight to Steam and launch games on a tiny 'cursed' DIY Steam Deck. If there's anything I've learned about people and their handhelds, it's that someone, at some point, will try to get Linux running on it. And while any form of Linux operating on a proprietary handheld is really cool, there's something to be said for someone running a whole desktop off it. Such is the case of this person who managed to get Arch Linux, KDE Plasma, and Steam running off their Switch Lite. This Nintendo Switch Lite runs Arch, by the way Because a Steam Deck is too boring Over on the Linux Gaming subreddit, user Holiday_Reference_41 showed off what they've been working on. They've managed to convert their Nintendo Switch Lite into some sort of DIY Steam Deck: "So I've been messing around with my Switch Lite for a while and this is where I'm at now. It's running Arch Linux, KDE Plasma works, and I managed to get the actual Steam client running on it, including the gamepad UI. I called it x1SteamOS because at this point I might as well try turning this thing into a tiny cursed Steam Deck." While the photos above show Cyberpunk 2077 in the Steam Library, Holiday_Reference_41 says they haven't got it working yet. In fact, there's a lot they need to get working before they can even think of taking a trip to Night City, as they need to iron out problems with the graphics, Gamescope, x86/x86_64 translation, Proton, Wine, and "all the other fun stuff that comes with trying to run PC games on an ARM64 Tegra." Still, they've made impressive progress so far, with the end goal of having the Nintendo Switch Lite turn on, show Steam, and handle booting up a game with no problems. Here's hoping they can pull it off.