Mint and Debian are great, and once you set everything as you like it, they’re pretty solid. Pop_OS is easy if you have an Nvidia GPU too.

As for comparability, proton has all but settled the issue. The SteamDeck runs on Linux after all. Take a look on Proton Database to check if a game works well or not. FWIW, every game I’ve tried save one has been flawless, and that one did things with files and wallpapers.

If you have a second computer you don’t need working, I’d recommend just trying something on it, switch distributions now and then. See how far you can get with just Linux.

Most games are compatible, you can also check https://protondb.com/ for each game, how people play it and how they run it. It’s a very neat website!

About the jump: Do it now, and you’ll thank yourself later. I did it with no prior experience myself and didn’t find it difficult at all tbh, as previous comment suggested, try Mint first of you’re afraid. And if you want an easy to use one that also focus on a bit of gaming then try PopOS! Don’t let the amount of choices discourage or confuse you, just pick one and go with it. Feel free to message me if you ever need any help 🌻

This might be a deeper dive than you mean but should cover everything you’d need to know and more

I finally switched to Linux as my daily driver (gaming, browsing, watching stuff) a week ago. Admittedly I have been using it at work for a few years.

• I chose Pop!_OS as a distribution, because it supposedly streamlines nvidia driver hassles and I wanted to give it a try
• Installed the OS, Discord, Steam, no problems
• Installed and played Raft, Vampire Survivors, TW Warhammer 3, Outer Wilds, no problems and no additional config needed

Just to add a voice to the positive feedback! If you have a spare computer or hard drive, I absolutely encourage you to try it out!