PC Games That Are Better With A Controller

Generally speaking, PC gaming is synonymous with a keyboard and mouse, and for good reason. Genres like first-person shooters and strategy benefit greatly from the improved accuracy provided by this control scheme, and it can be difficult to grow accustomed to using anything else for games that fall within these categories. Grand and real-time strategy projects spent decades ignoring consoles since the thought of adapting their controls for gamepads seemed futile; nowadays, this genre is no stranger to PlayStation and Xbox ports, although its representatives tend to be at their best on PC.

While most releases try to include proper support for keyboard and mouse setups, a few PC Games are better with controllers. Titles that focus on reflex-based movement or high-octane melee action tend to be perfect fits for gamepads. Similar to keyboard and mouse, a few genres are associated with controllers, especially if their main franchises started on consoles and eventually made their way to computers. What are the best controller games on PC?

Updated January 7, 2025 by Mark Sammut: 2024 ended on a fairly high note, with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Infinity Nikki, Marvel Rivals, Path of Exile 2, and Delta Force all debuting within a few days of each other. For the most part, those games are not only great with a keyboard and mouse but arguably better than with a controller. That said, Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered is probably a bit better with a gamepad, although the difference is not huge.

Over the next month, the following PC games will be released that seem like they could shine brighter with a controller, although it remains to be seen whether that is the case.

• Freedom Wars Remastered – Reviving a PS Vita game that follows the Monster Hunter formula, this release makes sense to play with a controller.
• Tales of Graces f Remastered – Tales games are consistently better with gamepads, and there is nothing to suggest this remaster will be different.
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth – The remake plays better with a controller on PC, and Rebirth’s combat system is very similar to its predecessor.
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – Another PS5 exclusive making the jump to PC, which usually means a controller-first experience. That said, a keyboard and mouse will probably be fine.

A 2024 Soulslike game has also been added to this article. Click below to jump to this title.

1

Ys 10: Nordics

Slightly Better With Controllers

Generally speaking, action JRPGs are synonymous with controllers, simply because most projects and franchises primarily target consoles before eventually producing PC ports. Nowadays, simultaneous releases are more common than they used to be, but PlayStation and Nintendo players still seem to be the priority in most situations. Nihon Falcom’s Ys is a bit of an exception since its earliest releases debuted on computers rather than consoles, so most of the classic entries play naturally and splendidly on PC. Since 2009’s Ys Seven, the franchise has shifted towards consoles, with PC ports usually being left for a bit later down the line.

That said, Ys 8, 9, and 10 are fine with a keyboard and mouse, provided players get used to utilizing the number buttons to activate skills. Those inputs are the only ones that do not feel too natural on the keyboard, but they are not impossible to get used to. That said, the battle systems are mapped pretty much perfectly for controllers, and the fast-paced action means that a split-second hesitation can be quite costly. Despite only featuring two playable characters compared to its predecessors’ parties, Ys 10‘s combat is arguably the most complex yet, with players having to balance Adol and Karja’s solo skills along with a mode that combines the two characters. The latter is necessary for (reliable) parrying and executing dual skills, two things that are required for pretty much all the harder fights in the game. Adol and Karja lose HP very quickly on higher difficulties, so there is not that much room for error.

2

Another Crab’s Treasure

No Need To Swim Against The Tide

Similar to how some genres are better with a keyboard and mouse, the same can be said for gamepads. Putting aside exceptions like Remnant: From the Ashes, Soulslikes generally feel more at home with a controller, which makes sense since the genre originated on the PlayStation 3. Another Crab’s Treasure takes things a step further by also featuring platforming sections prominently, another genre that is typically synonymous with consoles rather than PCs. Now, like most modern releases, the game can be played without a controller, but it can take some getting used to. Another Crab’s Treasure‘s camera is also not that great and can, at times, fight the player, and it is easier to manage with a thumbstick.

With a vibrant aesthetic and an adorable protagonist, Another Crab’s Treasure might trick the uninitiated into believing it is easy by the standards of Soulslikes. However, the game packs quite a hefty punch and can be pretty punishing, particularly during its first few hours. While never reaching Malenia in Elden Ring levels of difficulty, Aggro Crab pushes players to master the mechanics, which include a few options that are unique for the genre.

3

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

Well, It Is An Arena Fighter

While Dragon Ball games are relatively common, Sparking! Zero is different. The 2024 release is set within the Budokai Tenkaichi series, which produced three PS2 titles that are still highly regarded among fans of the franchise. There have been quite a few great DB games since 2007, but none quite managed to scratch the same itch as BT3. Sparking! Zero reached that promised land, presenting a modern evolution that very much preserves the classic trilogy’s appeal.

Sparking! Zero had a very successful Steam launch, so a lot of PC players have added the project to their libraries. While statistics are not available, there have to be thousands of people who are sticking to a keyboard and have to overcome a learning curve since 3D arena fighters are pretty much always designed with controllers in mind. However, if someone has decades of keyboard experience behind them, they still might feel more comfortable taking on the game’s challenges without a gamepad, even if it might put them at a disadvantage in both the multiplayer and some of the harder AI fights. Also, make no mistake, Sparking! Zero can be quite difficult as it throws a lot of mechanics at players.

4

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Going Against Standard Protocol

Generally speaking, shooters are better with a keyboard and mouse; however, like with everything, exceptions exist. Now, to be fair, Space Marine 2 is not purely a third-person shooter. During the campaign, players are likely to spend more time engaging in melee combat over ranged warfare, and the latter comes with a pretty generous aim assist that reduces the requirement for pinpoint accuracy.

Beyond that, Space Marine 2‘s default K+M setup is fairly awkward and requires some adjusting (either through practice or rebinding keys). The controller is more straightforward and accessible right out of the box, provided it works.

5

Forza Horizon 5

Sit Back & Relax

Most racing games generally play better with a controller than a keyboard or mouse. For racing sims, a quality wheel is the way to go, but the same doesn’t always hold true for arcade racers. When driving the fastest cars in Forza Horizon 5, players might find themselves most comfortable with a controller as the vehicles tend to be easier to direct.

Forza Horizon 5 is a relaxing game with quite a bit of downtime as players will spend a significant amount of time driving through Mexico while admiring the vistas. A controller fits the tone and pacing of the game well since it allows users to sit back and chill more readily.

6

Fate/Samurai Remnant

More Intuitive On A Gamepad

A stand-in for basically every Musou project, Fate/Samurai Remnant is clearly designed with controllers in mind. Now, to be clear, the game is perfectly playable using a keyboard + mouse setup, and players can remap key bindings as needed. Therefore, die-hard Fate fans who are interested in trying this very good entry in the franchise should be fine even if they don’t own a gamepad; however, that does not mean both control schemes are equal. Switching stances or picking arts/special attacks are more intuitive on a controller, which is usually the case for these types of releases.

Fate/Samurai Remnant is arguably the most ambitious game in the license so far. Featuring a surprisingly large (albeit segmented) open-world, the title casts players as Miyamoto Iori, a ronin who suddenly finds himself in a Holy Grail War. Alongside his servant, Saber, he must defeat six other masters, which involves building connections with other competitors and rogue warriors.

7

Black Myth: Wukong

Recommended By Developer

Black Myth: Wukong‘s Steam page contains a message from the developer recommending the use of a controller, and it is difficult to argue against this point of view. The 2024 RPG implements ideas from Soulslikes and character action games, two genres that are typically associated with gamepads; that said, Black Myth: Wukong is mostly fine with a keyboard and mouse. That’s not to say they are equal or superior to a controller, but they are usable and (naturally) provide more wiggle room for customization. Therefore, people who tend to prefer K+M should try that control scheme rather than automatically default to a controller.

Still, Black Myth: Wukong was very obviously created with a gamepad in mind, and the combat feels particularly at home when bound to that peripheral. The game nearly follows a boss rush format, guiding players from one epic fight to the next; consequently, the campaign maintains a fairly high level of difficulty that presents little room for error. As such, the controller should minimize the learning curve.

8

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Closer To An Arcade Stick & Better For Local Co-Op

The best way to play a beat ’em up that is a clear throwback to the ’90s arcade scene is to get a fight stick, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is no exception. However, it is not worth buying a new peripheral for just one game, so most players will likely make do with either a controller or keyboard. The latter’s bindings can be remapped, but there is a reason keyboards are not typically associated with beat ’em ups – they don’t quite feel right.

Shredder’s Revenge is at home on a controller, especially if the game’s local co-op feature is utilized. The game really comes alive when more than one player is participating, and this process will almost certainly require a few people to pick up gamepads.

9

Velocity Ultra

Seamlessly Teleport With A Controller

FuturLab’s Velocity Ultra is an innovative shoot ’em up puzzle game that emphasizes movement over gunplay, although the latter works fine as well. Players control a ship that can teleport with the click of a button, and this mechanic serves as the gameplay’s core. Essentially, levels feature plenty of dead ends that can only be overcome by shifting through a wall, and FuturLab finds plenty of fun and challenging ways to incorporate and expand this concept. And, speed is a big part of the experience.

While supporting a keyboard and mouse, Velocity Ultra is not a natural fit for the peripherals, and players will likely need to tweak the key bindings to find one that suits them. Alternatively, they can just pick up a controller and cut out all the guesswork. The combat also requires players to fire bombs in all directions, which is easier to accomplish with thumbsticks.

Velocity 2X is even better than its predecessor, but the game is hard to come by on PC.

10

Yakuza 0

Real Yakuza Use A Gamepad

Yakuza 0 doesn’t hide the fact that it is meant to be experienced with a controller as one of the first things the game does is throw out a disclaimer suggesting as much. A keyboard and mouse set-up should work fine for exploration and most of the mini-games, but controllers are better suited to the beat-’em-up combat.

Yakuza 0 is a delightfully quirky open-world game with a gripping storyline that serves as a strong introduction to this long-running series. So, pick up a controller and step into Kiryu and Majima’s shoes.

11

Psychonauts 2

3D Platformers Are Perfect For Controllers

Psychonauts 2 can be seen as a stand-in for platformers in general, particularly 3D ones. For the most part, these games benefit from the more precise movement provided by an analog stick, while they are usually designed to utilize a controller’s buttons as intuitively as possible.

Psychonauts 2 goes one step further by including a combat system that requires quick reflexes and the incorporation of a Psi-Powers wheel, both things that feel better through a controller.

12

Castle Crashers

Xbox Origins Shines Through

Castle Crashers debuted in 2008 on the Xbox 360, and it did not come to PC until more than four years later. Unsurprisingly, the game’s console origins can be seen in its controls as they are more intuitive with a controller. That’s not to say that a keyboard and mouse cannot get the job done, but it will take some getting used to; meanwhile, Castle Crashers just feels right on a gamepad.

Castle Crashers casts players as knights who are tasked with saving four princesses. While enjoyable solo, the side-scroller also supports co-op; in fact, it is arguably the ideal way to experience the title. Although playing out like a hack and slash beat ’em up, Castle Crashers is also a light RPG that allows players to level up their characters, unlocking new attacks along the way.

13

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

The Power Of Nostalgia

As somebody who grew up with the PS1 and Crash Bandicoot, the thought of playing a game in the series with anything but a controller sounds wrong. That said, that is simply nostalgia and not an indictment of the franchise’s modern attempts to integrate keyboard and mouse controls. Honestly, the N. Sane Trilogy works quite well on a keyboard, especially since the original games were designed with a d-pad in mind. They might take some adjusting, but they are not too bad. The sequels are also quite easy as long as the player is not a completionist.

Crash Bandicoot 4 is a slightly different case. Firstly, the long-awaited successor was designed from the ground up to fit modern sensibilities, which means a more natural implementation of analog controls. That said, the d-pad can still be useful on occasion, especially since It’s About Time might just be the hardest entry in the franchise. Even putting aside all the relics and trophy runs, the base content ramps up the difficulty a lot by the end of the campaign.

14

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

A PC Port Of A PS5 Game, And It Shows

Released on PC in December 2021, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a polarizing port. Putting aside its other issues, the JRPG works well enough with a keyboard and mouse, in the sense that there isn’t input delay and the characters feel responsive. However, reaching this level requires remapping the keyboard and mouse layout since the default settings are quite unusual. Permitting someone is willing to take a few minutes to remap the buttons, FF7 Remake is entirely manageable without a controller.

That said, it is still slightly better with a controller. The action RPG was designed for the PS4, and it shows. The combat is tailor-made for a controller’s button layout, and it just feels “right.” Most JRPGs that are ported to PC are usually better with a controller.

15

Sheepy: A Short Adventure

Developer Recommends Controller

When someone boots up Sheepy: A Short Adventure, they will be greeted with a message stating that the game is meant to be played with a controller. Platformers are, obviously, not impossible to play with a keyboard and mouse, and the same can be said for this title; however, if achievable, projects should be experienced as intended by their creators.

More importantly, Sheepy: A Short Adventure is fantastic, and it comes with a level of polish and charm that is impressive for a free-to-play project. While only lasting roughly an hour, the game accomplishes a lot in this period, delivering a surprisingly effective story (and lore) along with gameplay that evolves quite a bit throughout the journey. The visuals are stunning, and they help bring to life a strange and fascinating world that has seen better days.

At launch on Steam, Sheepy: A Short Adventure had an issue where the gamepad would not work for some users. The developer has acknowledged the issue and released patches to address it.

16

Kingdom Hearts (All Of Them)

PS2 Heritage

Kingdom Hearts has been on PC for quite a long time, but the franchise got a significant boost in exposure by debuting the HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX compilation package and Kingdom Hearts 3 on Steam in June 2024. That ecosystem’s players now have access to essentially the full story, and completing Kingdom Hearts requires investing hundreds upon hundreds of hours. As the games support a keyboard and mouse, the controls can be learned if someone is willing to put in the time and effort; after a while, they will feel second nature, even if each entry introduces a few mechanics that shake up the scheme that needs to be memorized. Except for the first game, most of the entries’ main campaigns are fairly forgiving, with usually only a few genuinely challenging boss fights. Kingdom Hearts 2 and 3 are particularly easy.

Still, all the games are tailor-made for gamepads, demonstrating the IP’s PlayStation 2 origins. While not particularly difficult, Kingdom Hearts loves to stack mechanics on top of each other, particularly in sequels like Birth by Sleep. These systems are well-tuned for controllers, making it simple to manage everything and utilize all the available options. They are just a bit more cumbersome on a keyboard and mouse.

17

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Lackluster K+M Options At Launch

PC players got the short end of the stick when it came to EA’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. While not unplayable, the Soulslike title launched with performance and optimization issues that soured what was otherwise a strong core experience. Also, Survivor dropped the ball in terms of keyboard and mouse support by not including the option to rebind the WASD arrow keys, something that was possible in its predecessor, Fallen Order. The omission of this feature was a strange backward step, especially since the game otherwise had decent accessibility options.

Jedi: Survivor encourages the use of a controller, and most PC people will likely have to turn to that option or utilize mods. These types of games tend to be intended for gamepads, but a keyboard and mouse setup should still be a valid alternative that does not come across as an afterthought.

18

Hollow Knight

No Need To Make The Game Even Harder

Hollow Knight is a masterpiece that should be played in any form. If someone is hesitant to try the game because they don’t have access to a controller, they should consider taking the plunge anyway since it is perfectly playable with a keyboard and mouse. It is just not ideal, as tends to be the case with most 2D Metroidvanias that prioritize platforming and reflex-based combat.

Hollow Knight is fairly difficult at its easiest, and the lengthy campaign is packed with aggressive bosses who punish even the slightest of mistakes. A controller can make these sections slightly more manageable, and these moments add up over the long, long campaign.

19

Hi-Fi Rush

Press To The Rhythm

Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush came out of literal nowhere, and the third-person action game instantly cemented itself as one of 2023’s nicest surprises. Blending hack and slash combat with a sense of rhythm, Hi-Fi Rush‘s brilliance lies in its clever implementation of music. If players are rewarded for moving along with the beat in the form of more attack damage or even an additional combo. Even enemies strike to match the soundtrack, so someone could genuinely master the combat by growing familiar with the music. It is a great system that complements the game’s story, visual style, and sense of humor.

Now, third-person melee action games tend to be great fits for controllers, even if quite a few of them are perfectly fine with a keyboard and mouse. Although certainly playable using the latter, Hi-Fi Rush receives some unique benefits from the former. As such, a controller is the way to go if someone plans to play Tango’s delightful title.

20

Nioh 2

So Much To Remember

Frankly, every Team Ninja game is better with a controller. Ninja Gaiden? PC versions launched with no keyboard and mouse support. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty? Playable with keyboard and mouse, but not superior. Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin? A better attempt to implement non-gamepad support, even if the combat feels more natural on a controller. Finally, there are the Nioh games. Now, these two are a bit of a unique case since the first entry has, by far, weaker K+M support than its sequel. It is not particularly well-implemented and comes across as an afterthought. Like with most games, if the heart is willing, most players will be able to teach themselves the controls; however, it will be a more laborious project than it should be.

In comparison, Nioh 2 is at a better place nowadays when it comes to catering K+M users, even if it took a few updates for the game to get there. Still, this Souls-like throws a lot of mechanics at players. Besides the standard attacks and dodges, they have to learn to master Guardian Spirits, Soul Core attacks, Onmyo Magic, Ninjutsu Skills, and Burst Counters, all of which can have tight timings that allow enemies to seriously punish any delays. That is before going into the many weapon types that play fairly differently from each other, and players are encouraged to swap between two equipped items on the fly. Unsurprisingly, Nioh 2 is very difficult, with the combat being more aggressive than most other entries in the genre. Just to be clear, these things combine to create a fantastic and deep experience; however, it can be overwhelming.

While mostly better with a controller, Nioh 2‘s guns and bows are far more enjoyable with a mouse. As ranged enemies are also aggressive, the extra second it takes players to aim a headshot with a gamepad will frequently result in a hit.