Generally speaking, PC gaming is not synonymous with controllers, and for good reason. Genres like first-person shooters and strategy benefit greatly from the improved accuracy provided by a keyboard and mouse, 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?
Please note that the games are not ranked in any order. Recent releases will also be listed first.
Updated February 3, 2026 by Mark Sammut: Along with adding En Garde! as a recommendation (pretty fun game!), I’ve added a section discussing whether a gamepad is worth it for PC-only players.
Should PC-Only Players Buy A Gamepad?
Before getting into the individual games, we should discuss whether controllers in general are a worthwhile purchase for PC players. Now, the easy answer would be to just say “yes,” since you can’t go wrong with having extra options; however, that feels like a cop out, especially since a good gamepad can be quite expensive and could be a waste of money depending on a person’s gaming habits.
To be honest, the answer is entirely dependent on somebody’s preferred genre. If strategy, FPS, or Arc Raiders dominate all of a player’s time, they gain nothing from owning a gamepad that they never use. Sure, it would be nice to have in case another genre release strikes their fancy, but the vast majority of PC games are (at least) playable with a keyboard and mouse. In most cases, they are just as fun with a K+M as they are with a controller.
If you mostly play platformers, third-person action games, or racers, then a controller could make a notable difference and even improve some of these experiences. Sports games like EA Sports and NBA 2K are also generally better with a gamepad.
The last thing to consider is the PC’s setup. If a computer is only attached to a desk, a keyboard and mouse will be easily accessible for all play sessions. However, you might wish to link your PC to the living room’s TV, setting it up for coach sessions. In that case, you probably need a controller to facilitate that configuration. It is still possible to use a keyboard and mouse, but it can be complicated depending on the environment.
If someone has a PS5/PS4 or Xbox, they can just use their console’s gamepads on their PC and should not bother buying anything else. If you are a PC-only user, the Xbox controller is the best option.
Click or tap on the games that match the category
Hollow Knight: Silksong (& Hollow Knight)
Keyboard Is Fine, But The Controller Feels A Bit More Natural
It took quite a long time to become a reality, but Hollow Knight‘s sequel was finally released in September 2025. Considering the hype was through the roof, the fact Silksong even came close to living up to those expectations is a testament to Team Cherry’s talent, and the sequel is an absolute blast on every platform.
How Long Is Silksong? (& How Many Silksong Acts Are There?)
Speedrunning Hollow Knight: Silksong’s main story can be done rather quickly, but a normal playthrough takes a while longer.
Like its predecessor, Silksong can be played with either a controller or a keyboard, both of which are functional. That said, the latter will likely require rebinding the keys as the default layout is not particularly intuitive and can be a touch frustrating. Still, if you want to solely play with a keyboard, you should be able to make it work. Still, Silksong seems designed with a gamepad in mind. The controls feel way more natural with a controller than with a keyboard, especially once you unlock more options/mechanics after a few hours of gameplay. Ultimately, I would not advise buying a controller just to play Silksong, but definitely try it if you have one lying around.
I’d say Hollow Knight is a bit worse with a keyboard than Silksong. At least, I found it more unenjoyable.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Doesn’t Require A Controller, But Haptic Feedback Is Nice
A top contender for 2025’s best game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a fantastic RPG that combines turn-based and real-time inputs, creating a battle system that is reminiscent of classic JRPGs but still feels fresh. Now, turn-based games are generally good with either keyboard/mouse or controllers, although the latter tends to be the preferred option. Clair Obscur specifically recommends using a gamepad, which makes sense as combat utilizes haptic feedback to provide some guidance on when to guard/block/attack in a few instances.
Despite this recommendation, the game is completely playable with a keyboard and mouse, to the point that the controller recommendation seems a bit unnecessary. Personally, I prefer playing these types of long RPGs with a controller, just so I can sit on the couch; however, if you are struggling to get the combat timings down with a controller, it might be worth trying a K+M.
The First Berserker: Khazan
Soulslikes Games & Controllers Are Synonymous With Each Other
When it comes to Soulslikes, the consensus is that they are better with a controller than a keyboard and mouse. Now, that reputation largely stems from the genre’s earliest PC games doing a pretty bad job of adapting their controls to a K+M, and quite a few of them debuted on consoles before making their way to computers. Nowadays, most major Soulslike releases launch simultaneously on all platforms, so they should cater to all users equally. Consequently, these games have generally become far better at providing decent K+M support, at least to the point that they are usually usable.
That said, Soulslikes still arguably feel better with a controller. The First Berserker: Khazan is one of the genre’s hardest entries in a while, and its punishing battle system requires extremely quick input and reactions. The campaign focuses heavily on combat and bosses, with exploration being quite limited. Players have three weapon types to master, along with fairly extensive skill trees for each. The First Berserker: Khazan is hard-as-nails, and while a controller does not make the game easier, it makes it slightly more comfortable.
Split Fiction
Controllers Are A More Natural Fit For Local Co-Op
Like Hazelight’s other project, Split Fiction can only be played in 2-player co-op, be it local or online. The game fully supports controllers and keyboard + mouse, and they are both honestly quite good. As the campaign constantly throws out new gameplay ideas and mechanics, certain levels suit a gamepad while others are slightly better with a K+M, so everything kind of balances out at the end.
Now, the above mostly holds true for online co-op, since both players can just pick whichever control scheme they prefer. However, PC players who will be using Split Fiction‘s local co-op will likely have to implement one controller at the bare minimum, and the experience might be smoother if both users opt for the same input device.
Split Fiction allows a K+M and controller to be used simultaneously, so players can just go with their preferred option.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Real Yakuza (Pirates) Use A Gamepad
Yakuza/Like a Dragon games have a long and storied history of promoting gamepads. The PC ports include prompts recommending that players use a controller, to the point that the “Real Yakuza Use a Gamepad” message is kind of infamous by this point. While modern releases debut simultaneously on PC, the franchise was console-exclusive for a very long time and still embraces that legacy.
Now, to be honest, the games implement keyboard and mouse support well, and most of them are perfectly playable. It is mainly Yakuza 0 and the Kiwami games that can feel awkward at times with a K+M, and they are easily workable with a bit of practice. Ever since the mainline entries switched to turn-based combat, the player’s chosen peripheral has become unimportant.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a throwback to the franchise’s real-time beat ’em up days, a combat system that is tailor-made for a controller. The ship-based action is also a good fit for a gamepad, although everything works well with a keyboard and mouse. Still, as this is an open-world game with a pretty laid-back rhythm, a controller can feel like a better fit, especially for players who have their PC attached to a TV and want to just sit back on a couch.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Keyboard + Mouse Is Fine, But Might Require Some Adjustments
Cygames’ Granblue Fantasy has been around since 2014, but the original game was a mobile Japanese exclusive. The IP made its Western gaming debut via Granblue Fantasy Versus and its sequel, which are fighting game spin-offs that are (naturally) very different from the core titles. Consequently, Granblue Fantasy: Relink will likely serve as the entry point for many people, and the 2024 action RPG leaves a pretty positive impression. Telling a story that can be completed in roughly 20 hours, the game’s selling point is its wide variety of playable characters, all of whom are surprisingly unique. The endgame consists of doing increasingly harder missions while gradually leveling up these characters and unlocking their Masteries, a process that can take a very, very long time.
8 Beginner Mistakes To Avoid When Playing Granblue Fantasy: Relink
New players to Granblue Fantasy: Relink can start their playthrough on the right track by avoiding the following mistakes.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink mostly seems like it was indeed for a controller, but Cygames did a good job adapting the RPG to a keyboard and mouse. That said, the camera does feel a bit off with the latter, so players who would rather stick to a K+M might want to change the settings. Still, the game is a more natural fit with a controller, especially for the characters who are melee-based. Relink has quite a good lock-on feature, too, so the ranged fighters are generally fine with a gamepad as well.
En Garde!
Swashbucklers Use A Gamepad
Taking a break from the bigger names, En Garde! is a relatively small game that goes on sale frequently, which might tempt players to give it a go. Well, I at least fell for that temptation, and I am glad I did as I had a blast playing through this short but fun game. After you boot it up, En Garde! declares straight up that it is a controller game, a surprising statement considering this is a PC-exclusive so far. However, the reason behind this suggestion becomes obvious after spending a few minutes in combat.
A spectacle fighter that really emphasizes the “spectacle” part, En Garde! casts you as a swashbuckler who is armed with a sword and her wit. Over the course of four episodes, players will take on a small assortment of guards and bosses, all of which have easily telegraphed attacks. Rather than one-on-one duels, En Garde! is all about crowd control, as you are meant to use the items in your environment to keep enemies at bay while you take out one or two of them. Combat ends up being a mix of action and platforming, and it is fantastic.
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.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero – 6 Moves You Need To Master
The combat in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero isn’t overly challenging, there are still some key moves that every player must master.
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.
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.
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.
Best Co-Op Open-World Games
Here are a variety of options for the best co-op games that can be experienced in an open world setting.
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.
