Home News Console-friendly PC Games: Unlocking Optimal Gameplay with Controller Support

Console-friendly PC Games: Unlocking Optimal Gameplay with Controller Support

Author : Nathan Update : Jan 18,2025

Generally, PC gaming is synonymous with keyboard and mouse control, and for good reason. Genres like first-person shooters and strategy games benefit significantly from the precision these input devices offer. Adapting to alternative control schemes in these genres can be challenging. For decades, grand strategy and real-time strategy games largely ignored consoles, as gamepad adaptation seemed impractical. However, these genres are now common on PlayStation and Xbox, though they often excel on PC.

While most PC game releases strive for robust keyboard and mouse support, some titles are enhanced by controllers. Games emphasizing reflex-based movement or fast-paced melee combat are particularly well-suited to gamepad control. Similar to keyboard and mouse, certain genres are strongly associated with controllers, especially if their origins lie in console gaming before transitioning to PC. So, what are the best controller-centric PC games?

Updated January 7, 2025 by Mark Sammut: 2024 concluded strongly with several high-profile releases, including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Infinity Nikki, Marvel Rivals, Path of Exile 2, and Delta Force, all launching within a short timeframe. Most of these titles not only support keyboard and mouse but arguably play better with them than a controller. That being said, Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered might be slightly better with a gamepad, though the difference is minimal.

Several upcoming PC games, slated for release within the next month, appear promising for controller use, though this remains to be confirmed:

Freedom Wars Remastered – A PS Vita revival echoing the Monster Hunter formula, making controller use logical.
Tales of Graces f Remastered – The Tales series consistently benefits from gamepad control, and this remaster is expected to follow suit.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth – The PC version of the remake plays better with a controller, and Rebirth's combat system mirrors its predecessor.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 – Another PS5 exclusive transitioning to PC, often implying a controller-first design. However, keyboard and mouse will likely prove adequate.

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