The best games to play with a controller on PC

By Daniel Hidalgo | 2025-12-16 21:53:32

For years, the personal computer reigned supreme as the domain of the keyboard and mouse. This precise, tactile combo was synonymous with strategy games, complex simulations, and competitive first-person shooters. The idea of using a controller—a device born from the living room console—was often an afterthought, met with skepticism by the PC gaming purist. However, the gaming landscape has undergone a seismic shift. Today, the lines between platforms are beautifully blurred, and the PC has emerged not just as a powerhouse for traditional inputs, but as the ultimate, versatile gaming platform that embraces them all.This evolution is driven by the rise of genres perfectly suited to analog sticks and trigger buttons: sweeping action-adventures, heart-pounding racing simulators, soulful platformers, and sprawling RPGs designed for comfort and immersion. From epic titles like Elden Ring and Forza Horizon 5 to indie darlings like Hades and Hollow Knight, the experience is often fundamentally enhanced by a controller. The platform in question is your Windows PC, powerful and flexible enough to support a myriad of input devices seamlessly. But this fusion isn't without its occasional hiccups. Why would a game, bought on PC, not recognize your trusted Xbox or PlayStation controller? The "problem" isn't with the concept, but with the digital handshake between software and hardware—drivers, Steam configurations, launcher settings, or game-specific support can sometimes interrupt the plug-and-play dream. This guide will not only showcase the best controller-friendly games but also arm you with the knowledge to solve any input issues, ensuring a flawless, immersive experience.

The Best Controller-Centric Genres and Must-Play Titles

Before diving into troubleshooting, let's celebrate the games that make grabbing a controller essential. These titles showcase why this input method is irreplaceable for certain experiences.Action/Adventure & Soulslikes:

Elden Ring: The vast, punishing Lands Between demand precise dodge rolls, spell casting, and combat timing that feels intuitive on a controller.
God of War (2018): Ported masterfully to PC, Leviathan Axe's recall and combo-based combat are built for the nuanced triggers and sticks.
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered: Swinging through New York City with analog stick fluidity and tactile web-zipping is a transformative experience.

Racing & Driving:

Forza Horizon 5: The nuanced pressure of an analog trigger for acceleration and braking is crucial for nailing perfect drifts and controlling hypercars.
F1 23: Managing tire wear, ERS, and precise steering input is overwhelmingly complex on a keyboard but feels natural on a wheel or controller.

Platformers & Metroidvanias:

Hollow Knight: Navigating the intricate maps of Hallownest requires pixel-perfect jumps and combat maneuvers ideally executed with a D-pad and face buttons.
Celeste: The game's infamous difficulty and need for directional feathering in mid-air scream for analog precision.

Action RPGs & Hack 'n' Slash:

Hades: The isometric, fast-paced rogue-like combat flows seamlessly with a controller, making dash-strike combos feel instinctive.
Monster Hunter: Rise: Executing elaborate weapon combos against gigantic beasts is a symphony of button presses best performed on a controller.

Third-Person Shooters & Exploration:

Red Dead Redemption 2: Immersion is key. Galloping across the plains, aiming in dead-eye, and simply existing in its world feels more connected with a controller.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: While playable with mouse and keyboard, horseback riding, swordplay, and navigating menus have a console-born fluidity.

Quick Fix: For the Impatient Player

If your controller isn't working in a specific game, try this universal 3-step rapid fix:

Restart Everything: Close the game completely. Unplug your controller (or disconnect Bluetooth). Restart your PC. This clears temporary glitches.

Steam Big Picture Mode: If playing a Steam game, launch Steam, connect your controller, and enter Big Picture Mode (the small controller icon top-right). Steam's superior controller support often activates here.

Check In-Game Settings: Launch the game and go directly to Settings > Controls or Input. Ensure the input method is set to "Controller" or "Gamepad," not "Keyboard & Mouse."

Detailed, Step-by-Step Solutions

If the quick fix didn't work, follow this comprehensive guide.

Solution 1: Configure Steam Input (The Most Powerful Tool)

Steam has revolutionized PC controller support. Here’s how to master it.

Open Steam Settings (Steam > Settings).

Go to Controller > General Controller Settings.

Check the box corresponding to your controller type (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, or Generic).

Connect your controller. It should now appear in the detected controllers list.

Crucial Step: Navigate to your Steam Library. Right-click on the game having issues and select Properties.

Go to the Controller section. Use the dropdown menu and select "Enable Steam Input." (Try "Disable Steam Input" if the game has native support that's being overridden).

For advanced mapping, you can click on "Layout" to customize every button, even for games without native support.

Launch the game from Steam.

Solution 2: Ensure Proper Driver Installation (For Wired/Wireless)

Windows Update often handles this, but sometimes it needs a nudge.

Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
Look for "Xbox Peripherals" (for Xbox) or "Human Interface Devices" and "Sound, video and game controllers".
If you see a yellow exclamation mark, right-click the device and select "Update driver."
Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software."
For PlayStation controllers using DS4Windows, ensure you've installed thecorrect drivers from the DS4Windows site, running the program asAdministrator.

Solution 3: Disable Conflicting Overlays & Services

Other software can interfere with controller detection.

Temporarily disable overlays from Discord, Xbox Game Bar (Win+G to check settings), or NVIDIA GeForce Experience/AMD Adrenalin.
For older games or specific launchers (like the Epic Games Store), close Steam completely if you're not playing a Steam game, as its background controller service can conflict.

Solution 4: Check Game-Specific Launcher Settings

Some platforms have their own controller settings.

Epic Games Store: Go to Settings and look for controller options.
Xbox App for PC: Ensure you are signed in and check the app's settings.
GOG Galaxy: Similar controller options may be present in its settings.

Alternative Solutions if Problems Persist

If the controller still fails:

Use a Different USB Port/Cable: Try a USB 2.0 port if 3.0 is problematic. For wireless, use a different USB dongle or a high-quality Bluetooth adapter.
Try a Different Controller: This isolates if the problem is with the game/PC or the specific controller hardware.
Use a Generic XInput Wrapper (For Non-Xbox Controllers): Tools like X360ce can make almost any controller emulate an Xbox 360 controller, which is universally recognized by Windows games. Place the .dll files in the game's executable folder.

How to Prevent Future Controller Issues

Keep Drivers Updated: Regularly check Windows Update and manufacturer websites.
Use Steam as a Central Hub: Whenever possible, add non-Steam games to your Steam library to leverage Steam Input.
Standardize Your Hardware: Using an Xbox Wireless Controller or a controller with native XInputsupport (like many from 8BitDo) guarantees the highest compatibilitywith minimal fuss.
Manage Your Background Software: Be mindful of having multiple controller configuration tools running simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is an Xbox or PlayStation controller better for PC?
A: Xbox controllers have native plug-and-play support in Windows and are seamlessly recognized by most games. PlayStationcontrollers (DualSense/DualShock 4) work excellently via Steam Input orDS4Windows but may require extra setup. Choose based on ergonomicpreference.

Q: Can I use a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller on PC?
A: Yes. Steam has excellent native support for it. Outside of Steam, you may need third-party software like BetterJoy for full functionality, including gyro.

Q: Why does my controller vibrate/rumble non-stop?
A: This is usually a driver or configuration error. Update your controller drivers, or in Steam's controller settings, recalibrate the controllerand test the rumble function.

Q: My controller works in menus but not in-game. Why?
A: This is almost always an in-game setting. The game is detecting both inputs and may be prioritizing the keyboard. Go to the game's control settings and explicitly select "Gamepad" asthe active input device. Sometimes you need to move the controller stick at the main menu for it to switch.

Q: Are there any PC games that require a controller?
A: Very few outright require it, but some are practically designed for it. Fighting games like Street Fighter 6 or Tekken 8, and precision 3D platformers like Super Mario Odyssey (via emulation) are experiences fundamentally built around a gamepad.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The PC gaming ecosystem has matured into a inclusive haven where choice isparamount. You are no longer forced to pick between the pinpointaccuracy of a mouse or the comfortable, immersive flow of a controller.You can have both, often in the same game, switching seamlessly based on your mood or the genre. Embracing a controller unlocks a new dimensionof PC gaming, one filled with cinematic adventures, thrilling races, and challenging platformers best experienced from the comfort of your couch or a relaxed desk posture.

So, dust off that controller, sync it to your powerful PC, and dive into the lush worlds of Elden Ring, the breakneck races of Forza, or the punishing halls of Hollow Knight. Use the solutions in this guide as your toolkit to smooth over anytechnical bumps. The ultimate PC gaming setup isn't about one input torule them all—it's about having the perfect tool for every incrediblegame at your fingertips.

Ready to transform your PC into the ultimate hybrid gaming machine?Share your favorite controller-friendly PC game in the comments below and let us know if you have any other pro-tips for flawless gamepad gameplay!

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