Games That You Can Play With One Hand

Key Takeaways

• Certain video games, such as
  Civilization
  and
  Animal Crossing,
  can be played with only one hand, offering accessibility options for players.
• Nintendo’s
  Pokémon: Let’s Go
  series and
  Wii Sports
  were designed to be played with one hand, making them accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
• Vampire Survivors
  and
  Unpacking
  are other examples of games that can be played with one hand, providing a low-stress gaming experience for players.

For the most part, video games are designed for players to control everything they are doing with both hands. More options on the controller will mean that there are more methods for the player to interact with the game world. That is why Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have always designed their console controllers in a way that allows the player to play their games comfortably with two hands. Even PCs have enough keys spread far enough away that any games running on this tech will need two hands to play.

However, game developers are always looking for new ways to make their games more challenging or be more accessible to new players. As such, there are a few video games out there that can be played with only one hand.

Updated on November 28, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Video games have become more challenging and complex as the medium has evolved, featuring its fair share of gameplay elements where players must learn the ropes if they wish to take out their targets. While this is something that many players appreciate, others would prefer to check out simpler games that don’t push them too much and let them enjoy a fun experience that can be played with a single hand, if a player wishes. Of course, not all one-handed games need to be easy, which makes it quite impressive when some of the most challenging video games around employ gameplay loops that are satisfying to master.

10 Unpacking

An Easy Point And Click Game

Unpacking is a low-stakes game that takes place in a series of rooms viewed from an isometric angle. The aim of the game is to unpack all the items in the box and place them somewhere in the room within a time limit. There is no reason to move or change perspectives in Unpacking. Everything the player does is controlled entirely by using the mouse.

As such, this point-and-click game can be played exclusively with one hand. It may get stressful when working against the clock, but there is little else to worry about in this easy-to-play video game.

9 Yes, Your Grace

A Simple Kingdom Management RPG That Can Be Navigated With A Single Hand

• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Release Date: March 6, 2020
• Developer: Brave at Night
• Genres: Role-playing, strategy

Players who want to check out a unique story-driven game with meaningful choices and elements of kingdom management will love what Yes, Your Grace brings to the table. The idea of managing a small kingdom and preparing for various wars and sieges is a blast, and it helps that the narrative of this title is pretty engaging too.

The best part about Yes, Your Grace is that the bulk of decisions that players make in the game are far from easy and can be carried out with the use of a single hand. Barring a few timed responses, there’s no reason for players to use two hands regardless of whether they use the mouse & keyboard or a controller to play this game.

8 Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee!

Games That Only Require One Part Of The Switch Controller

The Pokémon: Let’s Go series was an attempt by Nintendo to capture the success of the Pokemon Go app. To do this, the company made two games that were remakes of the original generation games, but with the catching mechanics of the incredibly popular app. For this to work, players were instructed to only use one of the joycons on the Nintendo Switch to play the game. The motion sensors in the joycon could be used to throw Pokéballs at wild Pokémon and the joycon buttons progress through dialogue.

Since the game only requires one joycon, most players have played these games with only one hand. Another player can even use the second joycon on the controller to play in co-op mode.

7 Bayonetta

A Hack And Slash Game With Different Modes

Bayonetta is a hack-and-slash game that requires immense concentration and lightning-fast reflexes to complete. With this being the case, many fans would assume that it is impossible to play the game with only one hand. However, the game features multiple difficulty modes for players to challenge themselves. The hardest difficulty is only unlocked by completing all the chapters on normal difficulty.

Players can still give themselves a challenge before this, though, by trying to complete the game in very easy mode with only one hand. The controls are simple enough for players to do this, and the low difficulty level means the game isn’t too hard to attempt in this way.

6 Vampire Survivors

A Combat Game Where Leveling The Character Makes Movement Obsolete

Vampire Survivors is a point-and-click bullet hell that sees waves of enemies approach the player on a single screen. In the early parts of the game, it is necessary for the player to move the protagonist around the screen to avoid ranged attacks from the enemies or to go and take out a high-priority threat. However, leveling up throughout the game means that players in Vampire Survivors can vastly improve their max health and damage output.

As a result, the need for the player to move around the screen becomes obsolete. Players can instead choose to stay in one spot soaking up damage and only attack enemies once they reach them. Therefore, this strategy means that the latter parts of the game can not only be played with one hand, but with no hands.

5 Sid Meier’s Civilization 6

A Point-And-Click 4X Game With A Few Keyboard Shortcuts

Sid Meier’s Civilization series features single-player, turn-based strategy campaigns, and Civilization 6 is no exception. The aim of the player is to take control of a civilization and wipe out any other opponents on the map. The main screen in the game shows the territory that the player controls, but also the areas that their civilization can contest. Everything the player needs to level up their civilization or attack the enemy can be controlled using the mouse.

As such, players can play the entire game using only one hand. There are some keyboard shortcuts that the player can use to speed up gameplay that does require the use of two hands. However, these shortcuts are entirely optional, so there is a way to play using only the mouse if players so choose.

4 The Sims 4

A Fun Life Simulator That Is Very Easy To Control

Despite a rocky launch, most people would agree that The Sims 4‘s updates and post-launch content have ensured that this title is more fun to play than ever before. It boasts the best visuals of the games (as one would expect) along with fun mechanics that govern a Sim’s mode and ensure that they’re rewarded for making the most of their current state of mind.

The game is quite accessible and can easily be played with one hand, especially since players can just pause the game if things are getting too overwhelming as they queue up actions for their household. It’s a must-play for any fan of life simulation games who wants to see the very best this genre has to offer.

3 RimWorld

The Mouse Is All That’s Required To Play This Challenging Colony Management Game

RimWorld is one of the most engaging colony simulators players can get their hands on. The game takes no prisoners and forces players to abide by its systems and understand the best way to improve their colony, which can be easier said than done.

However, with enough time spent in the game, players can turn their colony into something special and bond with their procedurally-generated colonists as they enhance their chances of survival and come one step closer to building a spaceship. The fact that this complex simulation game can be enjoyed with just one hand is a testament to how challenging yet welcoming RimWorld is.

2 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

A Relaxing Game That Requires Minimal Effort To Play

The core concept of any Animal Crossing game is to give players control of a happy and relaxing community. Anyone who plays Animal Crossing: New Horizonsisn’t interested in extremely challenging levels or challenging gameplay. They want to sit back and engage with the community of NPCs, or complete minor farming and fishing tasks.

The developers of Animal Crossing: New Horizons are so good at bringing this cozy game to life that players can even play it using one hand if they want. The game only has one button to press when cycling through dialogue, and movement is done with one analog stick. If a player chooses, they can remap their controller so both of these controls are on the same side, resulting in a version of the game that can be easily played with one hand.

1 Wii Sports

The Game Designed To Be Played By Anyone

The main premise behind the Nintendo Wii was to create a console that anyone could play. Released in 2006, the Wii became a staple console for families. This is because the simplicity of the system made it easy for young children and elderly relatives to pick up and play video games together. While the Nintendo Wii featured many easy games for beginners, none were as engaging as Wii Sports.

Wii Sports allows players to use their Wii Remote as a controller in a number of sports, including tennis, bowling, golf, and baseball. Since the Remote was only used to control one action, the games could be played entirely by only using one hand. It also made it easier for players to play games against one another.