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Mobile games have a stereotype of being casual-only experiences, titles that no “true gamer” would ever touch. Do away with these perceptions, as there are countless games on the platform with just as much competitiveness and uniqueness as their PC and console counterparts – but to get the upper edge, try using a mobile controller for more precise inputs on the go.
Updated December 24, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra:Many people frown upon mobile gaming, which is a shame since this medium has a ton of potential on its own. Given that everyone has a smartphone in modern times, it only makes sense for developers to try and target this market by developing fairly casual and enjoyable experiences that players can get through with ease. While this might lead many people to believe that hardcore gaming experiences have no space on mobiles, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, many developers have realized that some people just don’t find touch controls to be very accurate for the majority of gaming experiences and have added controller support for certain titles to make them more accurate and engaging to play for gamers who don’t want to deal with the finicky nature of touch controls. The most notable examples in this regard are mentioned below.
16 Asphalt 9: Legends
Gameloft has hit an absolute gold mine with Asphalt, a series that has absolutely 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.
The latest game in the series, Asphalt 9: Legends, 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!
15 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
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!
14 Life Is Strange
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 is a rewarding one, 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.
13 Call of Duty Mobile
When one thinks of the best mobile games, the FPS genre generally doesn’t come to mind. Maybe it’s 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.
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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.
12 Fortnite
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 yet 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.
11 Terraria
Terraria has often been compared to Minecraft over the years, having come out around the same time. It’s hard for Terraria players to go back to Minecraft, though, because the latter is just not nearly as robust or deep as its 2D counterpart. On mobile devices, the game functions differently in a number of ways, making for a fresh experience for even the most hardcore fans.
The game received its final major update recently, the Journey’s End update, which will soon make its way to the mobile version of the game. Using touch controls certainly has its appeal, especially for inventory management. However, most mobile controller games benefit from gamepads by making the player a bit more accurate, and Terraria is no exception.
10 Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is one of the most heartwarming and satisfying indie games ever made. Eric Barone, the game’s sole creator, has spent the better part of a decade developing and working on this absolute gem, and it almost works better on mobile than on PC or console.
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Part of this is the touch controls innate to just about every smartphone nowadays, but with a mobile controller, it turns into the perfect road trip or lay-on-the-couch casual game. It’s one of those controller-supported games that can suck away hours of the day without realizing the time passing by – in a good way, of course.
9 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
Surprisingly enough, the Star Wars RPG Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords was actually 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.
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.
8 Limbo
Limbo is a casual-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.
7 VVVVVV
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.
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Any of the mobile games that support a controller andthat 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.
6 Roblox
Roblox is the always-popular open-world sandbox game that features countless separate worlds, each with its own 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.
Using touch controls in Roblox is super unintuitive, though. A mobile controller is absolutely the way to go if for those who plan to play Roblox for any decent amount of time.
5 Minecraft
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.
4 Brawlhalla
Brawlhalla is a free fighting game that puts a huge emphasis on multiplayer and quick, brutal brawls. The game can be played locally or online with crossplay functionality across a huge number of systems, including the Switch, Xbox systems, and PlayStation systems.
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The game is surprisingly fun to play and features a huge roster of characters. The modding and customization in the game are pretty extensive, too. With a controller, Brawlhalla turns into a proper competitive game that can’t be matched with lackluster touch controls. It’s one of those mobile games with controller support that almost requires the player to use a gamepad.
3 Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a roguelike RPG with a gorgeous, vibrant art style and rewarding, yet punishing, gameplay. It requires the player to have precise movements and quick reactions to a number of factors throughout a run, which is extremely tough with simplistic touch controls.
The game allows players to use a mobile controller, though, which completely changes the nigh-unplayable game into an on-the-go masterpiece. It’s just too complex and quick a game not to use a controller.
2 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a PlayStation original game that was praised for three things: its gothic art style, its brutal difficulty, and its beautiful soundtrack. The end of the game features one of the objectively most beautiful songs ever recorded – not even just limited to gaming.
Similar to Dead Cells, though, the game requires very precise inputs and actions by the player. Using a mobile controller is the best way to experience this classic on the go as there’s far less chance of rage quitting when it’s actually possible to beat.
1 Hyper Light Drifter
Hyper Light Drifter is a full-fledged adventure RPG with its own unique combat mechanics and horrifyingly abstract and dreamlike visuals. The game is extremely colorful, despite its underlying narrative and brutality. While it works just fine with touch controls, it just plays better with a controller.
The game can be played at any pace, except for combat situations when quick reactions and being in the right place means everything. Touch controls just aren’t conducive to that kind of gameplay, and like many mobile controller games, it’s almost meant to be played with a gamepad, not with the thumbs.
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