Heya folks! I'd like to ask - what would you fellows suggest for good old games for my good old laptop? It's a pretty good machine, but has two caveats: Linux (but Wine is a thing!) and my only mouse is a trackball.
As for what genres? Well, just about anything, though I particularly enjoy more actiony games (Super Mario 64 = one of the finest of all time!), metroidvanias, and console-style RPGS. And I positively detest RTS and strategy. Well, that's not quite true. I don't hate them. I just suck royally at 'em.

You could try Sacrifice. It's a third-person action/RTS hybrid, and a brilliant game overall. Other than that, Enclave, Earthworm Jim, Soul Reaver and Sacred are solid options. Also check out the FPS games, they have some real goldies here at good prices, Unreal Gold, Serious Sam, Duke Nukem,etc.

I guess you can attach mouse using USB so it expands your options. If you could tell us specs/model of your laptop we should be able to be more helpful. :)

I've heard Septerra Core is a JRPG at heart. Haven't played it myself yet, though.

I always replay the Tex Murphy games on my laptop.
Not sure how adept you are with the trackball, but I have no issues with a touchpad. The games use the mouse exclusively.
Or like others said, drop a fiver and buy a mouse.

I'm trying to remember if the first two Gothic games work keyboard-only in case the trackball doesn't work outd...

Crusader series

And if you don't mind buying a decent inexpensive joystick, then you've opened up the options to several nice flight / space sims.

Yes, both G1 and G2 do not need a mouse! In fact, I wasn't aware that people played them with a mouse at all...

I can't break myself of the habit

Couldn't be bothered to read the first post, could you?

If it's okay to recommend free games not from GOG.com, then you should try Cave Story. It has a Linux port so no worries there.

gOg are very lenient on this stuff, maybe even welcoming of it.

I was asking the OP if it was okay since he didn't specify if he was only after recommendations for GOG games.

The Infinity Engine games can be played on Linux using the Gemrb engine, also NWN runs perfectly under Wine. Duke Nukem 3d has a source port, so does Freespace 2.

Everything that uses Dosbox should also run without problems.

As for suggesting something, you mentioned actiony games so i'll suggest Rayman 2, Soul Reaver, Crusader, Earthworm Jim, MDK. They are all low requirement games that run well on Linux and don't need a rodent.

Comedy option: Install an emulator, grab a usb controller and party like it's 1999!