Best Mobile Games With Controller Support

Mobile gaming continues to be the fastest-growing sector of the gaming industry. It’s responsible for billions in revenue, partly due to the platform’s availability around the world, and partly for mobile games’ innate ability to be played on the go. Regardless of the reasons, there’s no denying that the medium has several great titles that players can try out for themselves. Mobile games have a stereotype of being casual-only experiences, titles that no “true gamer” would ever touch.

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Thankfully, many people have overcome these outdated perceptions, as there are countless games on the platform with just as much competitiveness and uniqueness as their PC and console counterparts. Players who want to enjoy a competitive edge or just play games without having to deal with touch controls can try using a mobile controller for more precise inputs on the go. It’s certainly not mandatory to have a controller to enjoy mobile games… but it definitely helps in its own way, especially for seasoned gamers who are too used to the feedback of physical button presses and the like.

Updated January 18, 2025, by Hamza Haq: With the mobile gaming market steadily and quietly growing over the past decade or so and ballooning to become the silent majority of gamers, mobile games have evolved accordingly. While most mobile games tend to rely on the ubiquitous nature of the platform to do the heavy lifting, some go the extra mile, incorporating controller support on top of everything else so that gamers who are unused or unhappy with touchscreen controls can use their controller to play instead. It’s a quality-of-life feature that most mobile gamers probably won’t end up using, but for those who do, it’s a game-changer. The list has been updated with two additional mobile games with controller support to give prospective players some more options to browse.

27

Adventures Of Mana

Relive the Classic Adventure with Modern Controls

Systems

Released

February 4, 2016

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Before Final Fantasy became the powerhouse that everyone knows it for, Square tried many unique things with this IP. One of these instances involved a game called Final Fantasy Adventure, an RPG with an action focus that the company felt was too distanced from the core of the series. So, this turned into the Mana series, with the first title finally being remade for modern systems after a long time.

Adventures of Mana is a fun and simple game that players can check out for their mobiles. Players can use a controller to heighten their enjoyment of this title even more, even if the gameplay isn’t so hectic that a single missed button press can cause problems for the player.

26

Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition

Survival Challenges, Now On the Go

A survival game that took over the gaming landscape by storm when it was launched, Don’t Starve became such a smash hit that it even got ported to mobile phones! The amazing art style and unique survival gameplay of this series make it a treat in every way, and the fact that players can play this on a device they carry with them all the time makes it even better.

While the touch controls of this title are pretty decent in their own right, there’s no denying that Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition is better experienced on a controller since that is what the game was designed for. Survival in this game can be pretty challenging, and players will slowly make progress over the course of the game before understanding how its systems work, making for a captivating experience that arguably paved the way for more indie survival games to enjoy the spotlight.

25

Evoland 2: A Slight Case Of Spacetime Continuum Disorder

Journey Through Gaming’s Evolution

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, iOS, macOS, Classic Mac OS
• Developers: Shiro Games, Playdigious
• Genres: Role-playing game, Indie game, Action-adventure game, Adventure
• Release date: August 25, 2015

The history of video games is a truly fascinating one, starting out with what seemed like rudimentary 8-bit graphics before moving on to more complex imagery. Eventually, 3D models entered the picture… and the rest is history. Players who want to witness the huge difference between these art styles will love what Evoland 2 brings to the table, serving as a great sequel that fans will love.

Watching the art style of the game evolve from these rudimentary visuals into a full 3D landscape is pretty engaging and goes a long way in ensuring that players appreciate the effort that goes into showing the evolution of video game graphics while tying this development with the plot. It may be a simplistic game in some ways, but most mobile gamers will have a great time with what Evoland 2 sets out to achieve… especially if they use a controller to play the game!

24

PUBG Mobile

The First Battle Royale

Systems

Released

March 19, 2018

Developer(s)

LightSpeed & Quantum Studio

PUBG is a game that reached immense heights of popularity in no time at all. Picking up the phone and starting a game was as easy as they come, with the intense battle royale gameplay making for lengthy and engaging play sessions where teamwork is key.

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PUBG Mobile requires fast reflexes and good aiming to attain victory, and this can be achieved via controllers. Connecting one to a phone and playing this game makes a world of difference and increases the player’s chances of getting that elusive chicken dinner.

23

Stumble Guys

Stumble to Victory

Stumble Guys is the direct competitor of Fall Guys, the hit multiplayer party knockout obstacle course game available on all mobile devices. Players compete in matches with 32 other players and try to reach the finish line ahead of the rest in order to progress to the next round. Each round eliminates a number of players until only one is left, who is then crowned as the winner of the match.

Between the two, Fall Guys is clearly the winner in terms of art style and overall gameplay, but Stumble Guys holds its own by offering faster load times, a larger player pool, and unique maps. On mobile, playing Stumble Guys with a controller makes the game much easier as the player gets to see the entire screen and can identify fast-moving obstacles and other competitors much more easily.

22

VVVVVV

Gravity-Flipping Fun

• Platforms: Linux, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, MORE
• Developers: Terry Cavanagh, Distractionware, Nicalis, Simon Roth
• Release date: January 11, 2010

VVVVVV is a wholly unique platforming game that relies on a single, solitary mechanic: reversing gravity. To get through the game’s various rooms, the player must time their movements and gravity switches together.

Any of the mobile games that support a controller and that require timing is better with a controller than with touch, though – luckily enough VVVVVV allows players to plug one in and use the intuitive controls present on the console version.

21

Oceanhorn: Monster Of Uncharted Seas

Zelda-Inspired Questing

Fans of Zelda games will love what Oceanhorn has to offer, with this action-adventure title being one of the best mobile games around. Both this title and its sequel are quality games that are well worth their reasonable price tag.

Fans of The Wind Waker will have a great time with this title, given how similar Oceanhorn is to that game in particular. With a controller, this title becomes more fun to play through, with a player’s input being precise and satisfying as opposed to the regular touch controls this title is shipped with on mobile platforms.

20

GRID Autosport

The Mobile Racing Experience Refined

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Mac operating systems
• Developers: Feral Interactive, Codemasters, Codemasters Racing
• Genres: Racing Video Game, Sports Video Game, Simulation Game, Racing, Sports
• Release date: June 24, 2014

Racing games are pretty popular on mobile platforms, with several great titles in this genre being playable on mobile platforms. One such game that racing fans should check out is GRID Autosport, a racing title that is great for people who are seeking out more realistic racing experiences.

GRID Autosport has a bit of a learning curve, which is something that fans might not expect from a mobile title. This is precisely what makes this game such a draw on mobile though, and players will love how realistic it is to handle and drive a car. Players who want to ensure that their handling of the car doesn’t waver in the slightest can use a controller to make their lives easier.

19

Asphalt Legends Unite

The Ultimate Mobile Racer

Gameloft has hit an absolute gold mine with Asphalt, a series that has exploded on mobile and continues to wow players with its tight racing mechanics and amazing graphics. The game is easy to pick up and play, with the wide variety of courses, races, and everything else along the same lines adding to the allure of this title.

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The latest game in the series, Asphalt Legends Unite, continues this trend of excellence by pushing the boundaries of mobile graphics and gaming itself to new heights. The game is pretty optimized for touch controls, but people who want that added level of control can plug in a controller and use physical buttons to control their car instead!

18

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Classic Crime Saga

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is one of the most legendary open-world games ever made. Even with all the controversy surrounding the release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, there’s no denying that San Andreas is still a beloved title that many people will enjoy playing even now!

The story of Carl “CJ” Johnson as he gets roped back into a life of crime following the death of his mom is a captivating one, with the tale featuring everything from betrayal to revenge and everything in between. The sandbox of San Andreas still impresses many fans to this day, and the mobile version can be further enhanced with the use of a controller to make movement even more precise!

17

Life Is Strange

Time is an Illusion

Life is Strange is one of the best story-driven adventure games ever made, and the fact that it has been released on mobile devices is nothing short of a massive achievement. The adventures of Max as she discovers the power to rewind time are rewarding, with the impending doom of an oncoming storm forcing the characters into action as they try and avoid this fate.

Life is Strange is a great game that is full to the brim with memorable character interactions and an excellent story. Players who want to experience this title on mobile platforms with an added level of authenticity can use a physical controller to move Max around and interact with the environment as well.

16

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2

Epic Star Wars RPG

• Platforms: Android, Nintendo Switch, macOS, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox, Mac operating systems
• Developers: Aspyr, Obsidian Entertainment, Aspyr (Mac, Linux, & Windows Update)
• Genres: Adventure game, Action role-playing game
• Release date: December 6, 2004

Surprisingly enough, the Star Wars RPG Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords was ported to mobile. It’s not a graphically intense game, but the complexity of the game’s mechanics makes it a bit hard to play with just touch controls.

Knights of the Old Republic 2 with a mobile controller, though, feels exactly like the original game. Plus, very few gameplay changes were made from the original version to the mobile version.

15

Limbo

Master the Macabre

Limbo is a platforming horror game that puts the player in the shoes of a silhouetted boy traversing terrifying terrain. The game was one of the original “classic” indie horror games, and its mobile port introduced new players to its black-and-white world.

The game requires relatively precise inputs at points, though, which can be hard to do accurately just by touch reactions. Limbo plays OK without a controller, but like most mobile games that support controller use, players find it a little bit less scary if for no other reason than they can reliably control the character.

14

Roblox

Unlimited Possibilities

Roblox is the always-popular open-world sandbox game that features countless separate worlds, each with its minigames, community, or another unique aspect to them. If you’ve never played Roblox, the game is free and worth checking out for the minigames alone.

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Using touch controls in Roblox is super unintuitive, though. A mobile controller is absolutely the way to go for those who plan to play Roblox for any decent amount of time.

13

Minecraft

Timeless Block-Building Adventure

Those who don’t know what Minecraft is, or have never played it, are missing out on one of the most popular gaming experiences of the current generation. It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that Minecraft is probably the most popular game in the U.S., thanks to its simplicity and in-depth building mechanics.

The mobile version of Minecraft is different from the PC version in a number of ways. As one of the best mobile games with controller support, Minecraft becomes much like the console version, but with slightly less polish.

12

Among Us

Find the Imposter

Among Us had its big break in mid-2020 when multiple streamers advertising the game resulted in a massive boost in its player base and cultural impact practically overnight. It’s a social deduction co-op game where players participate in groups of 4-15 and try to find the imposter among the crewmates while completing tasks. The imposter’s job is to sabotage the crew’s efforts and kill them off one by one. Each time there is a death, an emergency meeting is called, and all players vote on who they think the imposter is. The game ends when either all tasks are completed, the imposter is eliminated, or all crew members are killed. Among Us offers players complete controller support natively on all devices, including mobile devices.

11

Call of Duty Mobile

The Best Tactical FPS on Mobile

Systems

When one thinks of the best mobile games, the FPS genre generally doesn’t come to mind. Maybe it has to do with the lack of decent controls in most games, or maybe it’s the lack of good graphics compared to PC and console counterparts. Call of Duty Mobile is one outlier that’s well worth trying out — and it’s one of the best mobile games with controller support.

It has one of the largest player bases of any game in the mobile market, and it’s constantly updated and kept alive through the rapidly growing community. The controls are surprisingly decent without a gamepad, but of course, it plays much better (and gamers will fare much better) with a mobile controller connected.

10

Fortnite

Epic’s World Famous Battle Royale

Fortnite has had a hard time on the mobile market, particularly on the Apple Store. As such, the game is only available for Android devices or can be downloaded through Epic Games directly. The game plays much the same as it does on PC, and its cartoony art style makes it a good fit for mobile devices.

It will be a while before iPhone users can download the popular battle royale game again. For now, Android players who haven’t had the chance to try the ever-popular online shooter can give it a go on their phones.

9

Balatro

An Addictive Mix of Luck and Skill

One of the most prominent indie games of 2024, Balatro has entered the public eye as the de-facto poster boy of what makes indie development and one-man game studios special. It’s a supremely addictive roguelike card game with low entry requirements and a high skill ceiling. Understanding the underlying rules is easy for anyone who has ever touched a deck of cards before, but meeting the truly absurd high score requirements as a run continues requires careful planning and a knack for identifying the key cards to pick up when it counts. Like any deckbuilder, it’s as much a question of luck of the draw as it is about player skill, but the outcome is decided much more by the latter than it is the former.

Despite how Balatro comes across at first glance, the game is made for more than just PC gamers. Its controller support works beautifully on mobile, Steam Deck and other platforms, allowing players without a mouse and keyboard to enjoy the game to its fullest extent without any issues. The controls are set up so players can just use the joysticks for everything from selecting the cards to playing hands to choosing powerups.

8

Vampire Survivors

Top-Down Roguelike Action

While there were games like Vampire Survivors before it existed, its absurd popularity and widespread appeal since release has turned the game into a pseudo-Dark Souls title in its own right, spawning multitudes of clones called Survivorlikes attempting to recapture the same lightning in the bottle with a different coat of paint. For those unfamiliar, Vampire Survivors is a top-down roguelike game in which players earn powerups by defeating enemies to gain XP in a large open arena. Hordes of monsters attack, spawning wave after wave to flood the battlefield in an attempt to take down the lone player character by any means.

The monsters get stronger as time goes on, but so does the player, and a level is completed when a boss is spawned and is subsequently defeated. It is a simple, addictive gameplay loop, in spite of its simplicity, or perhaps because of it. On mobile, Vampire Survivor comes with full controller support with the ability to move, attack, use abilities, and select powerups all integrated seamlessly.