# [Nuclear Sunset](https://nuclearsunset.com/docs/main/intro): Linux Installation Guide

Last checked against the official [Nuclear Sunset Linux Instructions](https://nuclearsunset.com/docs/main/linux) on 2026-09-23.

## Overview & Requirements
* Nuclear Sunset is a complete overhaul of Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 3 with over 1500 mods, built on Tale of Two Wastelands (TTW).
* This Linux guide covers the **Steam** version of Fallout: New Vegas only. GOG and Epic are not covered yet. Windows Store / Game Pass versions are not compatible at all.
* You need legally purchased copies of Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 3, and **all DLC for both games**.
* Fallout: New Vegas must be an English version. Steam German users must use DepotDownloader to get the international executable. Any version of Fallout 3 works.
* Accounts: Nexus Mods (Premium is highly recommended; without it you download around 1600 mods by hand) and ModPub (for TTW).

### Hardware
* CPU: Intel i5 2xxx / AMD FX 8xxx minimum. Intel i5 6xxx / Ryzen 5 recommended.
* RAM: 16GB minimum, dual-channel recommended.
* GPU: GTX 1070 8GB / R9 390 8GB minimum. RTX with 8GB or RDNA recommended.
* Storage: SSD with at least 200GB free. NVMe recommended.

### Known limitations
* lsfg-vk does not work with this setup.
* Custom Proton builds (GE-Proton, Proton-CachyOS) will not launch Nuclear Sunset. Use Valve's Proton 11.

## Downloads
* [Jackify](https://github.com/Omni-guides/Jackify/releases): download the `Jackify.AppImage` file under **Assets**, not `Source code`.
* [FNV 4GB Patcher for Linux](https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/62552?tab=files): download the Linux version.
* [Tale of Two Wastelands and the YUPTTW Update](https://mod.pub/ttw/133-tale-of-two-wastelands) from ModPub. Extract the TTW archive. Do not use the installer included with it; Jackify has its own (see TTW section).
* Protontricks 1.11.0 or newer. Native Steam: install from your distro's package manager if it provides 1.11.0+, otherwise use Flatpak. Flatpak Steam: use the Flatpak build (`com.github.Matoking.protontricks`). Check with `protontricks --version`.

## Pre-Installation Setup
* The official guide assumes you install on the same drive as your distro. If you install to another mounted drive, create the folders there instead and adjust every path below.
* Enable "Show Hidden Files" in your file manager if you are not using the terminal.
* Create the required directories:
  ```bash
  mkdir -p ~/NuclearSunset/downloads
  ```
* Move `Jackify.AppImage` to `~/NuclearSunset`.

### Clean installs and backups
* Rename the existing Fallout New Vegas folder to `FNVBackup`:
  * Native Steam: `mv ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout\ New\ Vegas ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/FNVBackup`
  * Flatpak Steam: `mv ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout\ New\ Vegas ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/common/FNVBackup`
* Rename the Proton prefix folder `22380` to `22380-backup`:
  * Native Steam: `mv ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380 ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380-backup`
  * Flatpak Steam: `mv ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380 ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380-backup`
* Uninstall Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 3 from Steam.
* Reinstall both games.

### Generate fresh INI files
* Launch Fallout: New Vegas from Steam.
* Press OK on the "Detecting Video Hardware" popup.
* Close the launcher.
* Repeat for Fallout 3.

## Jackify Installation
* Open a terminal and run:
  ```bash
  chmod +x ~/NuclearSunset/Jackify.AppImage && ~/NuclearSunset/Jackify.AppImage
  ```
* Log into Nexus Mods. The official guide does this from Jackify's settings page; current Jackify versions also offer an **Authorise** button on the install screen that opens the Nexus login in your browser.
* Click **Modlist Tasks**, then **Install a Modlist (Automated)**.
* Set Game Type to **Fallout: New Vegas**.
* Set Modlist to **Nuclear Sunset**.
* Set Install Directory to `~/NuclearSunset`.
* Set Downloads Directory to `~/NuclearSunset/downloads`.
* Click **Start Installation**. This usually takes at least half an hour.

## Stock Folder Preparation
* Copy **all** files from the freshly reinstalled New Vegas folder into `~/NuclearSunset/[NoDelete] Stock New Vegas/`:
  * Native Steam: `cp -a ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout\ New\ Vegas/. ~/NuclearSunset/\[NoDelete\]\ Stock\ New\ Vegas/`
  * Flatpak Steam: `cp -a ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout\ New\ Vegas/. ~/NuclearSunset/\[NoDelete\]\ Stock\ New\ Vegas/`
* Delete `d3d9.dll` and `dxvk.conf` from that folder:
  ```bash
  rm ~/NuclearSunset/\[NoDelete\]\ Stock\ New\ Vegas/d3d9.dll ~/NuclearSunset/\[NoDelete\]\ Stock\ New\ Vegas/dxvk.conf
  ```
* This is mandatory. `d3d9.dll` comes from the DXVK mod, which Linux does not need because Proton already uses DXVK for DirectX 9. If you leave it in, the game crashes every time you leave an interior.

### Optional: restore your old FNV install
* You can put your backup back now:
  * Native Steam:
    ```bash
    cp -fr ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/FNVBackup/* ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout\ New\ Vegas/
    rm -rf ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380 && mv ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380-backup ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380
    ```
  * Flatpak Steam:
    ```bash
    cp -fr ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/common/FNVBackup/* ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout\ New\ Vegas/
    rm -rf ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380 && mv ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380-backup ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380
    ```

## MO2 and Game Settings
* Find the **Nuclear Sunset** entry in your Steam library. Jackify should have created it. If not: Add a Game > Add a Non-Steam Game > Browse, select `~/NuclearSunset/ModOrganizer.exe`, then Add Selected Programs.
* Before launching, right-click the entry > Properties > Compatibility. Tick "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool" and select **Proton 11**. Jackify may have set a different version, so check this even if the entry already exists.
* Do not use GE-Proton or Proton-CachyOS; Nuclear Sunset will not launch with them. Proton Experimental works if you want the newest DXVK, but is more likely to cause issues.
* Launch the entry. In the top-right drop-down of Mod Organizer 2 (labeled Nuclear Sunset), select **Configuring Game Settings** and click **Run**.
* Go to Options and select **Ultra**. On weaker hardware, High or Medium are acceptable; these downsize all textures uniformly. **Never select Low**, it disables critical rendering functions.
* Uncheck **Windowed** if it is ticked.
* Click OK and close the launcher.

## Tale of Two Wastelands (TTW)
* Use Jackify's built-in TTW installer. The installer bundled with the ModPub download is dated, runs poorly under Wine/Proton, and is much slower.
* In Jackify, open the **Tools Hub** and find the TTW Linux Installer. Install it if needed, then launch it.
* In TTW .mpi File location, click Browse and select the `.mpi` file from the TTW archive you extracted.
* Set Output Directory to `~/NuclearSunset/mods/[NoDelete] [INF] [DB] - Tale of Two Wastelands (TTW)`.
* Start the installation and wait.
* When it finishes, extract the YUPTTW archive to `~/NuclearSunset/mods/[NoDelete] [INF] [DB] - YUPTTW Update`.

## 4GB Patcher
* Extract the FNV 4GB Patcher for Linux archive into `~/NuclearSunset/[NoDelete] Stock New Vegas`.
* Run it from that folder:
  ```bash
  cd ~/NuclearSunset/\[NoDelete\]\ Stock\ New\ Vegas/
  chmod +x FalloutNVPatcher && ./FalloutNVPatcher
  ```

## Protontricks (NVR Prerequisites)
* Run `protontricks --gui`.
* Select **Nuclear Sunset** from the list. Errors about a 64-bit wineprefix or Wine's wow64 mode can be ignored.
* Choose **Select the default wineprefix** and press OK.
* Select **Install a Windows DLL or component**.
* Tick `d3dcompiler_43` and `d3dcompiler_47`, then press OK.
* Close Protontricks.

## Controller Configuration
* Controller support is only provided for Steam users through Steam Input.
* Turn on your controller and make sure Steam detects it as the correct controller type.
* In Steam, open Fallout: New Vegas and click the controller icon.
* Load the "Nuclear Sunset Control Scheme" layout from Community Layouts and click Apply Layout.
* Download the [NS Controller Instructions zip](https://nuclearsunset.com/docs/main/controller) and copy its folders into `~/NuclearSunset/mods`. Overwrite files when asked.
* **Reinstall these files after every Nuclear Sunset update.**
* Launch the game and open Settings from the main menu.
* Select Action Mapping.
* Map Sneak to right stick click.
* Map Grab to the right bumper.
* Unmap VATS by pressing Escape on your keyboard. VATS is replaced by an AP-based bullet time mode.

> **Linux note (unverified):** On Linux you launch through the Nuclear Sunset non-Steam shortcut, and Steam Input applies the layout of the entry you actually launched. If the layout does not take effect in-game, that is the likely cause. Check the controller configuration on the Nuclear Sunset shortcut, or ask in the Nuclear Sunset Discord.

## Updating
* Follow the official [Updating Nuclear Sunset](https://nuclearsunset.com/docs/main/updating) page, and reinstall the controller files afterward.