SuperTux

SuperTux is a free and open-source 2D platformer inspired heavily by classic games like Super Mario Bros. Rather than simply copying Nintendo's characters or levels, the project builds its own world around Tux, the Linux penguin, who has become one of open-source gaming's most recognizable mascots.

The premise is delightfully straightforward. Tux's girlfriend, Penny, has been kidnapped by the villain Nolok, and it's up to Tux to travel across a series of colorful environments, defeat enemies, collect power-ups, uncover secrets, and ultimately rescue her.

The familiar platforming foundation is immediately recognizable. Tux runs and jumps through side-scrolling levels, stomps enemies, navigates hazards, collects coins and power-ups, and searches for hidden areas. But SuperTux has developed enough of its own mechanics and personality that it doesn't feel like merely a free Mario substitute.

Power-ups give Tux different abilities, while level design gradually introduces more complicated platforming challenges, environmental hazards, enemies, and puzzles. Later stages can become considerably more demanding than the cheerful presentation initially suggests.

One of the game's biggest strengths is its level design. SuperTux includes a substantial collection of handcrafted stages across multiple worlds, with different environments and increasingly difficult challenges. Exploration is encouraged through hidden areas and collectibles, giving players reasons to revisit levels rather than simply rushing toward the exit.

The project also has a built-in level editor, which is particularly fitting for an open-source game. Players can create and share their own levels, expanding the experience beyond the content included with the game itself. That community-driven approach has helped SuperTux remain more than a historical curiosity.

Its presentation is also part of the charm. The colorful 2D artwork, cheerful soundtrack, cartoon enemies, and unmistakably Linux-flavored personality give it an identity that is simultaneously nostalgic and completely its own. It feels like the sort of game that could have come from a small independent studio rather than an open-source project.

And that's ultimately what makes SuperTux interesting to us. It represents a period when open-source software communities weren't just building operating systems and productivity tools—they were also creating their own games, characters, engines, artwork, and worlds.

SuperTux is still free, open source, and readily available, making it an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a straightforward platformer without worrying about monetization or locked content.