10 Best Steam Games To Play With A Controller (2024)

You probably love playing games through Steam, but you may not love using the standard mouse and keyboard setup. Luckily, you don’t have to settle for clunky controls in most games, as it’s not uncommon for you to be able to connect your favorite controller to your PC in order to play your favorite games in the way you want.

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For whatever reason, experiencing certain games while using a controller instead of a mouse and keyboard can create an entirely unique experience. The fluidity of the gameplay and the difference of control can allow not only for a more cinematic experience but a much tighter experience as well.

10 The Witcher 3

While The Witcher 3 isn’t awful with a mouse and keyboard, it does feel much better to play with a controller than even The Witcher 2. Combat and exploration just feel a lot smoother when you’re using a controller, and that’s despite all the potential key bind options.

You’ll be getting a ton out of this story-driven adventure regardless of what you use to play it, but you’ll probably find yourself enjoying the experience a bit more with a controller. Being able to sit back and enjoy the game makes the cinematic aspects a lot more fulfilling than being hunched over a keyboard.

9 Rocket League

When it comes to Rocket League, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see most people gravitating to a controller. The biggest reason for this is that you can be much more precise with both your overall movements and the camera when using a controller in this free-to-play game.

The game is fast-paced, and you’ll be wanting every small advantage you can get. Considering a lot of professional players are going to feel much more comfortable with controllers, it just goes to show that top-level play is easiest amongst those with controllers.

8 Hades

Admittedly, Hades isn’t half bad with a mouse and keyboard. Thanks to how excellent this indie gem of a roguelike is, it’s pretty solid to play in whatever way you like.

The thing is, you may feel most comfortable with a controller, and that’s totally okay.

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Hades is by no means a tough game to come to grips with while using a controller. You’ll probably feel right at home playing it thanks to just how intuitive all the controls are.

Sticking with a controller for this title is never a bad choice.

7 Cuphead

Considering the PC controls for Cuphead can feel a bit weird and crowded, you’ll probably gravitate toward a controller for this game. The fast-paced nature and high difficulty of the game require you to be at your best, and if a controller does that for you, you’ll want to use it.

Most people are accustomed to playing platforming games with a controller anyway, meaning that even if you’ve gravitated toward PC controls for most games these days, adjusting back shouldn’t be too difficult of a task.

6 Final Fantasy 7 Remake

A lot of things have been said about the PC controls of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and most of those things are negative. While there likely are a number of solid ways to improve the mouse and keyboard experience, it’s easiest to just rely on a good old-fashioned controller.

Since this is much more of an action RPG than many of the other entries in the Final Fantasy series, being able to engage with enemies quickly is key. The PC controls can feel a bit unintuitive at times, so falling back on those standard controller functions makes the experience a lot more thrilling from start to surprising finish.

5 Elden Ring

It’s not a surprise that most people will say you should be using controllers to play just about any Soulslike game, especially Elden Ring. While the PC controls have improved over the years thanks to player complaints, controllers will always have an edge in these games for whatever reason.

There just seems to be something about the way the controls work on the controller when it comes to those tricky boss fights. Things can be much snappier, and managing the camera is much easier once you’re accustomed to how the game works.

4 Street Fighter 6

It shouldn’t be a shock that a fighting game is on a list like this. People around the world are still loving Street Fighter 6, but it’s probably safe to say almost everyone is using a controller to play if they can help it.

A fighting game requires a lot of inputs that can be tricky on a controller, and transferring those inputs to the keyboard can seriously throw off anything you’re trying to do. If you’re interested in high-level play, the PC controls are likely to do nothing but hinder you the entire time.

3 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Much like Elden Ring, you should be using a controller for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor if you want a true grasp of the gameplay. Everything in this game is snappy and traversal has never felt smoother, meaning relying on a controller is all the more important here.

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This game borrows a lot of gameplay elements from other popular modern games, and while PC controls aren’t out of the realm of possibility for some people, you probably won’t be interested in the steep learning curve that can come with them for this one.

2 Dragon Ball FighterZ

Once again, everyone should avoid playing fighting games with PC controls if they have any say in the matter. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, but everything becomes that much easier and smoother when you have a controller, especially in Dragon Ball FighterZ.

With just how tough this game can be for newer players to get into thanks to how skilled veterans are, it only makes sense that you’ll need every advantage you can get. Get those combos and super moves off with a controller, you’ll thank yourself for it.

1 FIFA 23

While most people probably wouldn’t think of playing a sports game with PC controls, you’d be surprised. With that said, you should absolutely avoid the PC controls for FIFA 23 at all costs, because oh wow are the controls rough.

Luckily, the game feels as great as it ever has on a controller, so fans of the yearly installment should know exactly what they’re getting into. Go pick your favorite team, but don’t forget your favorite controller, especially if you’re looking to dominate online.

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