Bazzite Deck 44 launches with the largest update in project history for gaming handhelds

Bazzite 44 has launched for Deck images, bringing the latest release to gaming handhelds and console style PCs after its earlier desktop rollout. Described as the largest update in the project’s history, it follows more than 700 commits and completes Bazzite’s one time image decoupling, meaning future updates should launch simultaneously across all images. The release also coincides with the fifth anniversary of Universal Blue, the broader project and community that Bazzite is built around.

The Deck images now align more closely with Valve’s SteamOS approach to controller handling, power management, and handheld controls. InputPlumber handles controller support, emulation, and remapping, while SteamOS Manager adds session switching and TDP controls through Steam. PowerStation covers devices not yet supported by SteamOS Manager, and OpenGamepadUI provides additional handheld controls. TDP and RGB settings are now accessible directly from Steam’s Quick Access Menu.

Some handhelds temporarily lack manual fan controls, while the original Lenovo Legion Go has lost gyroscope support, with fixes for both in development. Other changes include built in update notifications, a graphical system updater, a rewritten Bazzite Portal, improved multi GPU support through Cardwaire, a new Open Gaming Collective Linux kernel, updated Mesa drivers, and support for AMD HDMI 2.1 features including FRL, ALLM, and VRR. Bazzite 44 is now available for both desktop and Deck devices through the official website, with work on Bazzite 45 already underway.