In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing Neverball and Neverputt on your Chromebook. These entertaining physics-based 3D puzzle games offer hours of fun and challenge. Neverball tests your skill in guiding a ball through a maze, while Neverputt is a miniature golf game set in the same engine.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, please note that this tutorial is specifically designed for Chromebooks with an Intel or AMD CPU that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with an ARM64 architecture CPU.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide, you can follow along with the video tutorial above. The steps outlined in this post correspond to the actions demonstrated in the video.

Installation Process

We'll be using Wine to run these Windows-based games on your Chromebook. Wine is a compatibility layer that allows running Windows applications on Unix-like operating systems. Here's a step-by-step guide to get everything set up:

1. Set up Wine

First, we need to add 32-bit architecture support and install Wine:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key && sudo apt-key add winehq.key
echo "deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bookworm main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_chrome_os_made_simple.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable winbind

After installation, configure Wine by running:

winecfg

2. Download and Install Neverball

Now, let's download and set up Neverball and Neverputt:

wget https://neverball.org/neverball-1.6.0.zip
unzip neverball-1.6.0.zip

3. Run the Games

To start playing, use these commands:

For Neverball:

wine neverball-1.6.0/neverball.exe

For Neverputt:

wine neverball-1.6.0/neverputt.exe

Additional Information

Neverball and Neverputt are open-source games that showcase the power of simple physics engines in creating engaging gameplay. They're excellent examples of how Linux and Wine can work together to bring a wider range of software to your Chromebook.

If you encounter any issues during installation or gameplay, consider checking your Wine configuration or updating your Chromebook's Linux container. Remember that performance may vary depending on your Chromebook's specifications.

Useful Links

For more information about the games, visit the official Neverball website.

To learn more about Wine, the software we used to run these Windows games on Linux, check out the Wine HQ website.

For a comprehensive list of Chromebooks that support Linux Apps, see our guide on Chromebooks with Linux Apps (Crostini) support.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you've expanded your Chromebook's capabilities, allowing you to enjoy classic Windows games through the power of Linux and Wine. This process not only lets you play Neverball and Neverputt but also opens the door to running many other Windows applications on your Chromebook.

If you're in the market for a new Chromebook or looking to upgrade, don't forget to check out our Chromebook comparison and Buyers Guide for informed decisions on your next purchase.

Enjoy your gaming experience on your Chromebook, and don't hesitate to explore other possibilities that Linux on Chrome OS offers!