Best controller games on PC 2025

What are the best controller games on PC? Here at PCGamesN, we love our mouse and keyboard as much as the next PC gamer, but even we have to admit that they're not always the optimal input. The proliferation of console ports and action soulslikes has us reaching for our controllers with more regularity than ever before.

Whether you're weaving through enemy fire in a bullet-hell platform game or enjoying the precise tactility of a racing game, a controller is essential for the best experience in videogames across a variety of genres. From triple-A giants to indie gems, we've rounded up the best controller games on PC that feel great in your hands - literally. Don't forget to pick up one of the best PC controllers while you're at it.

Here are the best controller games on PC:

Elden Ring

Almost all soulslike games are best played on a controller, but Elden Ring is the best representative of the genre. These tough-as-nails action RPGs demand precise movements and quick reactions to dodge, parry, and riposte the relentless bosses thrown at you. Of course, it is technically still possible to beat Elden Ring with a mouse and keyboard - we've seen players beat it with a musical harp, dance mat, and even a Fisher Price toy, after all. However, there's no getting around the fact that FromSoftware's soulslikes are designed to be played with a controller.

Rocket League

Where soccer games and driving sims intersect, there's Rocket League, one of the best free PC games for arcade fans. You've got a car, you've got a ball, and you've got a soccer pitch. Need we say more? Rocket League brings Hot Wheels to the beautiful game, and the rest is history. A low skill barrier combined with short match times makes Rocket League the perfect pick-up-and-play experience, though playing on a controller gives you a clear edge over KBM counterparts pecking at eight directional keys. With a controller in hand, you have superior steering at your fingertips, letting you boost, jump, and flip your way to victory without breaking a sweat.

Batman Arkham

Most third-person action-adventure games are tailor-made for a controller, and the Batman Arkham series is no different. While KBM users benefit from a more responsive camera and greater precision with gadgets like the Batarang, these benefits can't outweigh just how plain intuitive it is to control the Dark Knight with thumbsticks and triggers. Rocksteady's "Freeflow" combat system shines with a controller, and without it, you'll have a far harder time getting that fiendish Freeflow Perfection achievement.

Monster Hunter World

Monster Hunter's leap to PC was a long time coming, but after the release of Monster Hunter World onto our favorite platform, Capcom hasn't looked back. While Ken's Monster Hunter Wilds review deems it a "worthy successor" to World, its ongoing performance issues have knocked it down a few pegs. Whether you're a new fan who wants to cut their teeth on the series or a seasoned hunter, you can't go wrong with Monster Hunter World - unless you don't have a controller, of course. KBM users can excel at World, but it's markedly easier to wrap your head around all those inputs before you attempt to juggle them on a keyboard. You have been warned.

Cuphead

Ah, Cuphead. Studio MDHR's classic run-and-gun boss battler lured us into a false sense of security with its 1930s cartoon charm, only to destroy us with its punishing difficulty. It's also awful on KBM. You have to rebind keys to make it viable before you've even started - and even then, Cuphead's relentless bullet-hell boss battles leave little time to fumble for the right input. By the time you've dodged one projectile, another five are heading straight for you, and that's before you take into account enemies dancing, zooming, or flying across the screen. Suffice it to say, if you're planning to snatch the title for #1 Cuphead mountain speedrunner, you'd best pack a controller.

Forza Horizon 5

You're never going to get a better experience with driving sims than when you pair them with a high-quality PC steering wheel - but if you don't have one to hand, a controller is the next best alternative. WASD and arrow keys can never truly capture the incremental movements of an analog stick, especially when you're behind the wheel of the Hennessey Venom F5 going 300mph in Forza Horizon 5. Why Forza? In short, Playground Games is a master of racing games, and its massive open world fuses Mexican idylls with dynamic weather and cars. Lot of cars. Our Forza Horizon 5 review will have you putting the pedal to the metal in no time.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

There's nothing quite like a 3D platformer from the '90s for a nostalgia hit, and Crash Bandicoot is the gold standard. Crash did absolute gangbusters for the PS1 back in the day, but it took over two decades for him to make the jump to PC with the N. Sane Trilogy remaster. Still, it's probably no surprise that a controller is the best device to wrangle this bandicoot. Whether it's fiendish platforming levels like Road to Nowhere and Stormy Ascent, or outwitting Dr. Cortex himself, a mouse and keyboard just won't cut it for Sony's console mascot.

FF7 Remake

FF7 Remake is a straight-to-PC port, which means there's little in the way of mouse and keyboard support. It's fine, but you're looking at a pretty hefty remapping job - and even then, it's not particularly comfortable. There are a few mods out there to streamline party selection and menu navigation, but let's be honest, it's just easier all around to pick up a controller. Thankfully, most of these issues were resolved in FF7 Rebirth, but you'll have to weather the first chapter of Cloud's story on a controller before you get to that point.

Now that you've taken the best controller games for a spin, discover the best PC games of all time to check out next. Ultimately, the choice between controller or KBM is a personal one, so check out the best gaming mouse and best keyboard if you just can't tear yourself away from the traditional PC gaming setup.