Coming from a more console-centric background (though I've always played PC games to some degree all my life), I tend to prefer using gamepads while playing games. However, I do enjoy the ability to customize my PC to make my gaming experiences better. I feel like PC gaming is the superior platform but a lot of people enjoy using gamepads still, and unfortunately there has never been a good compiled list for those who want to see what their options are. So here it is- I've spent a good amount of time on this list. If you have any other games to add to the list or can confirm/deny a game on the list supports gamepads, it would really help a lot.
Just two things I'd like to say before continuing.
1. If you love keyboard and mouse already, great. This list isn't aimed at you. It's not to convince you to start using gamepads. It's to show people what their options are. If you loved Crysis and now somebody else will buy the game because it has gamepad support, everybody wins as it increases sales and will encourage more PC development.
2. If you're happy to see a list but are still uncomfortable with using keyboard and mouse, I highly suggest you read the second post in this thread. I was once in the same boat as you- perhaps my experience and suggestions will help you become more accustomed to using keyboard/mouse to play games that don't natively support gamepads. Trust me, for some of those great games, it's worth learning.
I should mention in posting this list that the original list was compiled by Tycobb on the Afterdawn forums. After some time, he/she stopped updating and then the list was maintained by SpykeZ on the Nforce.nl forums. However, it appears that those forums will be permanently down. I am using Tycobb's original list and trying to restore (and go beyond) SpykeZ's list.
The list will be broken into two sections- games with full gamepad support out of the box (or via official patches) and those that require some unofficial mods/fiddling with .ini files/light usage of 3rd party programs to make it fully usable. While with third party programs it's possible to make *any* PC game support gamepads, I'm referring to using them for small things that round out the experience. Perhaps in the future there could be a separate list of 'games that work well with programs that emulate keyboard/mouse' but not for now.
Key:
*- games personally tested by me/other members of this forum, either demo or full version
(X)- games that should work natively with the Xbox 360 gamepad (therefore menus and key presses will display the correct button instead of a generic 'button 1')
(nothing)- works according to readmes/other sources of information but not confirmed personally
Games with full gamepad support
Aquaria*
Assassin's Creed*(X)
Audiosurf*
Beowulf
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg
Bioshock*(X)
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of World War II/Secret Missions of WW2
Bloodrayne 2
Cars
The Club
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (via patch)
Clive Barker's Jericho
Colin McRae: DiRT*
Condemned: Criminal Origins
Conflict: Denied Ops
Crysis*(X)
Devil May Cry 3:SE/4
Dynasty Warriors 4
Eragon
Eternity's Child
EvoChron: Renegades*
Fantastic 4
FEAR
Fifa (probably all modern iterations)
Flatout: Ultimate Challenge
Flight Simulator X
Future Cop LAPD*
Gears of War
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved
The Godfather
Grand Theft Auto 3*/Vice City/San Andreas
Gun
Half-Life 2: Episode 2*
Halo CE/2 (X)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Heroes of the Pacific
I-Ninja
Ice Age: The Meltdown
Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit*
Jade Empire
Jazz Jackrabbit 2*
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
Kane and Lynch: Dead Men*(X)
Kung Fu Panda*(X)
Lego Indiana Jones
Lego Racers 2*
Lego Star Wars 1/The Original Trilogy
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King*
Lost
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition*(X)
Madden NFL 0x (all modern incarnations support, 08 has native X360 support*)
Mark Ecko's Getting Up*
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance*(X)
MDK2*
Metal Gear Solid 1/2
NBA 0x (all years should support gamepad)
Onimusha 3
Outrun 2006
Over the Hedge
Overlord
Pac-man World 3
Pacific Fighters
Phantasy Star Online v2*/Blue Burst*
Phantasy Star Universe /Ambition of the Illuminus*
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
Portal*
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time/Warrior Within/Two Thrones
Pro Evolution Soccer/Winning Eleven (5, 6, and 2008 all confirmed, probably all versions though)
Psychonauts*
Race Driver: GRID*(X)
Rainbow Six: Vegas 1*(X)/2 (reported not to work with wireless 360 controller)
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Resident Evil 4*
Sega Rally Revo
Silent Hill 2/3/4
The Simpsons: Hit and Run
Shadowgrounds /:Survivor
Shadowrun*(X)
Sonic Heroes
Spiderman 3/Friend or Foe
Splinter Cell: Double Agent/Chaos Theory*
Star Wars: Battlefront 1/2
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy* (the game officially supports it, but through the demo, I couldn't get it working in a satisfactory way)
State of Emergency
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Tomb Raider: Legend/Anniversary
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2/3/4
Trackmania (all versions)*
Transformers: The Game
Ultimate Spiderman
Virtua Tennis 3
Viva Pinata
X-men: The Official Game
X-men Legends: Rise of the Apocalypse*
X3- Reunion*
Games that support gamepads with some slight modding
The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind/Oblivion (require 3rd party program for right thumbstick)*
Mass Effect (requires a modified .ini file- search the Bioware forums)*
Two Worlds (requires Two Worlds control panel)*(X)
World of Warcraft (requires Switchblade, a 3rd party program but the compatibility is maintained by Switchblade, so it requires no configuration on your part)
Programs that emulate keyboard/mouse
Xpadder- Xpadder is free, so I personally recommend it. Again, with this list, it will do everything you need.
Switchblade- intended to be used with a 360 gamepad. Haven't tried it personally (but will soon)
Pinnacle GameProfiler- It's a bit more advanced, and if you're serious about using controllers in games that don't support them, it's probably a bit of a better option. You can also download premade profiles for many games. But it is $20...
There you have it- I'll do my best to keep this updated based off what I learn and contributions from other members of the PC Games forum here at Gamespot. Hope at least some people found it useful.
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A special thanks to those who contributed:
Ein-7919
thusaha
AuthenticKaizen
rb2610
Dipset604
miladesn2
floridaskater05
Using controllers, mostly gamepads, or a mouse and keyboard while playing video games can be a very subjective choice. Many gamers rely on only one type of equipment and are ardently defending their choice. Typically, PC games are played with a mouse-keyboard combo, however they commonly and widely support controllers.
That means you can play video games with a use of gamepad, joystick, PS4, or Xbox controller. Is it worth to give them a try? Well, depends on type of the game, its features and type of gameplay.
There are a plenty of PC games with controller support that work quite good with a gamepad or other controller and some that even are better when played with controllers than with a mouse-keyboard set.
Let’s have a look at what PC games – when it comes to type and genres – are better with a controller and what are the best 12 PC games that are more fun when a mouse and keyboard is swapped for a gamepad, steering wheel, or even fancier equipment.
FPS/FPP versus TPS/TTP
One of the most popular types of games are first person and third person perspective shooter games. In FPS or FPP, as the name suggests, the player sees the gaming world and conducts actions from a first person perspective, seeing through the eyes of the character.
In third person perspective, the whole silhouette of the character is visible, and the player moves around the protagonist’s model. FPP games are easier to play with a mouse and keyboard as the player can take better aim with less effort. Controllers don’t have the ability to stimulate the aiming process so well. With TPP though, theopposite is the case– numerous actions involving fighting, moving around, shooting and others are better conducted with a gamepad or controller.
Controllers are smoother to operate, and the player can make more elaborate moves. Also, the response is faster, which is important in shooting or action games. So, if you have a controller compatible with PC games that are third person perspective – try ditching a mouse-keyboard combo for a gamepad, joystick, steering wheel or Xbox, Ps4 controller (depending on the genre) and see if it suits you better.
What About Specific Genres?
When it comes to games, some genres fit a mouse and keyboard usage, others are working better with controllers. It all depends on how many and how complicated motions are required in the game. Generally speaking, racing, sport, combat and action games are perfect for controllers. Racing is much better when the player has a steering wheel or at least a gamepad. Moves are smoother; thus, the responsiveness – with a mouse and keyboard it can be harder to achieve. Driving is simply easier with a controller.
When it comes to sports games, like football or basketball, shooting and aiming for a goal is much more straightforward with a controller. Also, you can do some advanced moves with the ball. There are more keys on a keyboard than buttons on a pad, but when a motion requires pressing a few buttons or moving a joystick together with pressing buttons, controllers are irreplaceable.
Fighting games work fine with a keyboard-mouse set, but controllers offer easier operation as buttons are closely located – when deadly fights required complicated moves, a gamepad beats traditional PC equipment. Similar case is with games of the action genre, when lots of fighting motions take place.
As for RPG games, it depends on the specific title. Some RPGs are hard to play with a gamepad or other controller, as there are so many actions that there simply isn’t enough buttons. With a keyboard, options broaden. When it comes to other RPGs – simpler, with light and limited number of features, controllers might be of use. In some of them, a controller can make playing simpler, which is not necessarily a good thing for many players—you may like the struggle in your playing experience.
What genres are bad for or can’t be played with a controller?
Strategy – turn based or real time, adventure, first person shooting games. It is also worth to mention that older games – the trend to come back to playing some retro, classic stuff is going strong – work good with a controller. Another fact that can’t be missed: some games were specifically designed for controller support, others were created with a mouse and keyboard in mind.
Better check beforehand if a specific game is at the peak of its abilities and offers the most features when played with a controller or a keyboard-mouse combo. If such information is not available, decide what equipment should be used based on the genre of the game.
12 PC Games That Are Better to Play with a Controller
If you are an ardent fan of a gamepad, joystick or Xbox and PS4 controllers and are looking for some the greatest PC games out there to try with your favorite equipment, we got your back. Here comes the list of the best PC Games to play with a controller:
Bayonetta
The action game that was specifically designed for a controller. Its producers recommend using it with a controller, as this allows taking advantage of all the features of this game of extravagant fights, supernatural operations, fantastic world.
Bayonetta is the last one standing of the witch clan that comes back to life after hundreds of years, which has vast repercussions of a deadly and catastrophic character. Fighting and unleashing some cruel attacks and graceful motions works better with a use of a controller.
Grand Theft Auto V
GTA 5 is classic action-packed game that offers three different characters with their personal stories. The player becomes one of the broken and quite deranged men and follows their lives while travelling around and exploring California state. It is much easier to drive with a controller, so this is one of the best PC games to be played on a gamepad.
Tomb Rider (2013)
An oldie that never gets old; an action game series known to almost every player. Packed with elaborate moves, combat, and an intense storyline, it is much more enjoyable while using a controller like a pad. It is also a third person perspective game.
Middle Earth: Shadow of War
Another action game. It is based on Tolkien’s fantasy books and offers an adventure in a dark and dangerous world that is overshadowed by demonic powers. The player prepares for battles, fights enemies, conquers lands, changes the surroundings, engages in combat, and much more. All this in third person mode, which is much simpler to operate with a controller.
Dark Souls III
This is an RPG game but not very complex – though full of action. The whole series, not only its third installment, works best with a controller. You will find it requiring much less effort to control your motions in this dark fantasy world, especially pacing of your walk or sneaking to attack enemies, when you will have a controller in your hands. The gameplay includes scrutinizing your character’s fighting style, fighting bosses, using different weapons, collecting items and more.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
One of the best-known game franchises, the newest title offers players an adventure as the legendary hero who sails, fights battles, and discovers the rich world of ancient Greece. As in every other part of the series, it is better to take on this fascinating path of myths, hidden treasures, and epic naval and land battles during the Peloponnesian War with a controller.
Thanks to this, your motions would be smoother, and you will have better chances in fights. However, on Steam the game comes with partial controller support, which means a VR, mouse or keyboard would be required at some point.
Mortal Kombat XL
Known as one of the best games in fighting genre, Mortal Kombat offers brutal, spectacular duels and 2v2, and 33 characters, each with various traits. The players have also the ability to fight against online competitors, being part of a faction war. Engaging in violent combat, whether against AI rival or other players, requires quick and smooth moves – playing with a gamepad suits this game much better than a mouse and keyboard set.
Mortal Kombat XL includes:
Steam
- Mortal Kombat X
- Kombat Pack
- Kombat Pack 2
Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The perfect example of a Rogue-Like game, filled with adventures and actions, that works better with a controller. The storyline follows a protagonist who must escape from his own mother. The deranged woman plans to sacrifice her kid. It offers challenge and seeded runs, many characters to choose from, more than 500 hours of gameplay and has full controller support.
FIFA 18 & FIFA 19
I guess no-one needs explanation on what this game is about as it is the best-known sport game available on the market that has legions of fans. FIFA 18, like other titles in the series, certainly can be played with a mouse-keyboard set.
FIFA 2018
That equipment will be enough for basic shooting and motions on the pitch. However, if you’re are a pro player and want to show some tricks like Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo do in the real world – better switch to a controller. With a gamepad it is much less difficult to run with the ball, aim at the goal, or fool the opponents with quick dribbling.
FIFA 2019
The Witcher 3
Following a storyline of Geralt of Rivia, a hunter of monsters and other creatures, this RPG is a wildly acclaimed game with millions of fans worldwide. It is filled with action, combat and drama. The third person perspective means moving the protagonist around and steering him during fights with monsters is handier with a controller.
Rocket League
Games
This game offers players quick matches in various modes like hockey-styled one, basketball-alike, football-themed etc. Matches are really fast-paced and lasting mere minutes. Before you realize, your opponent can grab the ball and score. Using a controller is much more convenient and gives you more chances in the competition.
Street Fighter V
A standard fighting game, though definitely not a simple one. It takes more than hitting a key on a keyboard – some moves requires complicated combo of buttons. A controller is a must if you want to show some more sophisticated motions, enjoy the fights better and be able to win jousts. Especially making a rotation or partial circle is almost impossible with a keyboard – a gamepad offers such option.