Best Linux Distro for Gaming on Desktop?

Have you thought about SteamOS? It's specifically tailored for gaming, though it may not cover everything you're looking for, it’s worth considering for a dedicated gaming experience.

Personally, I think CachyOS is a fantastic choice! The installer might seem a bit overwhelming with options, but it gives you so much freedom compared to Ubuntu. Once set up, the gaming packages you install via the Cachy Hello app come bundled with all the needed libraries and codecs. Plus, it includes essential tools like Python and Git, so if you ever need to install other software, it’s a breeze. Check out their site for more info!

I've heard a lot about the gaming performance on Nobara, and I think it might be a perfect fit for you since it’s designed to be user-friendly.

It sounds like it could handle your gaming needs well.

If you want to keep things close to Ubuntu, I’d recommend trying PopOS. Just keep in mind that its desktop environment is still actively developing, so you might encounter a few bugs.

If you’re open to trying something different, I had a great time with CachyOS, and most games run smoothly through Steam without any fuss.

There are also Nobara and Bazzite, which are Fedora-based and quite popular, but I haven’t personally used them.
You can actually stick with Ubuntu for gaming; you likely won’t notice a massive difference in performance with these other distros.

For your needs, I’d suggest looking into Nobara. I’ve been using it for about three months and had only faced one issue which was easy to resolve. Most games worked perfectly with Proton or Wine, and I only had to use Bottles for an obscure 2001 game. It might fit what you’re looking for.