Linux

Not for gaming. The problem with Mint, and most Ubuntu/Debian based distros, is they run ancient packages - especially the kernel, the graphics stack (mesa) etc. Sure, you could install a custom kernel, sure you could install a PPA with updated drivers etc, but then you'd make a mess out of your system, which will cause your updates and upgrades to break.

For gaming, you always want to be on the latest stack (there are exceptions ofc in case of regressions), since the Linux world is pretty fast moving, and especially these days, lots of fixes have been coming in fast for Wine/Proton/AMD, thanks to Valve and the Steam Deck, and all the users and devs invested in it who now see Linux as a viable platform for gaming. Never before in the Linux world have we seen so much development and advancements, and it's all fueled by the Steam Deck (and AMD's opensource efforts).

Pop, is also based on Ubuntu, so it suffers from much of the same issues that other Ubuntu based distros face, so it's not the best choice for gaming.

So you'd be better off sticking with Arch (if you like to DIY and optimize stuff on your own), but Nobara is a pretty solid choice when it comes to gaming, because it's optimized for gaming out of the box - has a custom kernel with patches gamers would appreciate, patched Discord for stuff like screensharing, has Proton-GE, Steam, drivers, codecs etc all ready to go. In fact, Nobara is made by the same person who makes Proton-GE (ie GloriousEggroll), so you know that this is a legit distro for gaming that's actually made by someone who knows their stuff, and is a gamer themselves.