The 23 best mobile games with controller support

Mobile gaming is the fastest-growing sector of the gaming industry, owing to its accessibility and the convenience of playing on the go.

Mobile games are not merely casual entertainment; there are numerous competitive and distinctive titles available on the platform.

Utilizing a mobile controller can enhance the gaming experience for experienced gamers who prefer physical button presses and more precise inputs.

Mobile gaming continues to be the fastest-growing sector of the gaming industry. It is responsible for billions in revenue, partly due to the platform's global availability and partly due to the inherent ability of mobile games to be played on the go. Regardless of the reasons, it cannot be denied that this medium offers several outstanding titles that players can explore for themselves. Mobile games have shattered the stereotype of being merely casual experiences, titles that no "true gamer" would ever touch.

Fortunately, many people have overcome these outdated perceptions, as there are countless games on the platform that are just as competitive and unique as their PC and console counterparts. Players who seek a competitive edge or simply wish to play games without dealing with touch controls can consider using a mobile controller for more precise inputs on the go. It is certainly not mandatory to have a controller to enjoy mobile games... but it certainly aids in its own way, especially for experienced gamers who are accustomed to the feedback of physical button presses and the like.

Updated on September 14, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra: Mobile gaming has become one of the largest sectors of the gaming industry in modern times, even though some of the most profitable titles in this medium come in the form of freemium games that leverage advertising revenue and microtransactions to generate as much money as possible.

23 Adventures Of Mana

Before Final Fantasy became the powerhouse it is today, Square experimented with many unique aspects of this brand. One such situation involved a game called Final Fantasy Adventure, an RPG with a focus on action, which the company felt was too far removed from the core of the series. As a result, the Mana series emerged, with the first title finally receiving a long-awaited remake for modern systems.

Adventures of Mana is an enjoyable and straightforward game that players can try out on their mobile devices. Players can use a controller to further enhance their enjoyment of this title, even though the gameplay is not so frantic that a single missed button press can cause trouble for the player.

22 Don't Starve: Pocket Edition

A survival game that took the gaming landscape by storm upon its release, Don't Starve became so successful that it was even ported to mobile phones! The amazing art style and unique survival gameplay of this series make it a delight in every aspect, and the fact that players can experience it on a device they carry with them at all times makes it even better.

Although the touch controls of this title are fairly decent on their own, it cannot be denied that Don't Starve: Pocket Edition is better experienced with a controller, as the game was designed for it. Survival in this game can be quite challenging, and players will gradually make progress throughout the game to understand how its systems work. This creates an immersive experience that may have paved the way for other indie survival games to shine in the spotlight.

21 Evoland 2: A Slight Case Of Spacetime Continuum Disorder

The history of video games is truly fascinating, starting with seemingly rudimentary 8-bit graphics before evolving into more complex visuals. Eventually, 3D models came into play... and the rest is history. Players who wish to experience the significant difference between these art styles will be thrilled with what Evoland 2 has to offer. It is a fantastic sequel that fans will adore.

Observing the transformation of the game's art style from those rudimentary images to a complete 3D landscape is immensely captivating and significantly contributes to players appreciating the effort put into depicting the evolution of video game graphics and intertwining it with the narrative. In a way, it may be a simple game, but most mobile players will have a great time with what Evoland 2 aims to achieve... especially if they use a controller to play the game!

20 PUBG Mobile

PUBG is a game that gained immense popularity in a very short time. Picking up the phone and starting a game was as simple as it gets, with the intense battle royale gameplay leading to long and captivating gaming sessions where teamwork is crucial.

PUBG Mobile requires quick reflexes and good aiming to achieve victory, and this can be accomplished with controllers. Connecting a controller to a phone and playing this game makes a significant difference and increases the player's chances of getting that coveted Chicken Dinner.

19 Oceanhorn: Monster Of Uncharted Seas

Fans of Zelda games will love what Oceanhorn has to offer. This action-adventure game is among the best mobile games out there. Both this title and its sequel are high-quality games that are more than worth their reasonable price.

Fans of The Wind Waker will have a lot of fun with this title as Oceanhorn is particularly similar to that game. Playing this title with a controller makes it even more enjoyable as the player's input is precise and satisfying, unlike the regular touch controls that this title is delivered with on mobile platforms.

18 Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is a game that was initially labeled as a Breath of the Wild clone, which sparked additional criticism from players around the world due to its free-to-play label. However, Genshin Impact is a great gaming experience with surprisingly deep gameplay and a relatively limited pay-to-win system, despite being a gacha game.

Genshin Impact can be played smoothly with touch controls, but it is evident that players would have a greater sense of control with a gamepad. This is supported in Genshin Impact, and players will enjoy experiencing this entertaining action game with more responsive inputs.

17 GRID Autosport

Racing games are quite popular on mobile platforms, with several great titles of this genre playable on mobile devices. One such game that racing fans should try is GRID Autosport, a racing game that is particularly suitable for people who are looking for more realistic racing experiences.

GRID Autosport has a certain learning curve, which is something that fans of a mobile game might not expect. However, that's exactly what makes this game on mobile so appealing, and players will love how realistic it is to steer and drive a car. Players who want to ensure that their vehicle control is not compromised in the slightest can use a controller to make their lives easier.

16 Asphalt 9: Legends

Gameloft has struck absolute gold with Asphalt, a series that has exploded on mobile devices and continues to captivate players with its precise racing mechanics and stunning graphics. The game is easily accessible and playable, with its diverse selection of tracks, races, and everything else in that direction adding to the appeal 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 gameplay to new heights. The game is well-optimized for touch controls, but individuals who desire a higher level of control can connect a controller and use physical buttons to steer their car!

15 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is one of the most legendary open-world games ever made. Despite all the controversy surrounding the release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, it cannot be denied that San Andreas remains a popular title that many people still enjoy to this day!

The story of Carl "CJ" Johnson, as he gets involved in a life of crime again after his mother's death, is captivating and encompasses 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 by using a controller to make the movements even more precise!

14 Life Is Strange

Life is Strange is one of the best story-based adventure games ever made, and the fact that it was released on mobile devices is undoubtedly a tremendous achievement. The adventures of Max as she discovers the ability to rewind time are rewarding. The impending danger of an approaching storm forces the characters to take action as they try to escape this fate.

Life is Strange is a fantastic game that is packed with unforgettable character interactions and an excellent story. Players who want to experience this game on mobile platforms with a higher level of authenticity can use a physical controller to move Max and interact with the environment.

13 Call of Duty Mobile

When thinking about the best mobile games, the FPS genre usually doesn't come to mind. Perhaps it's due to the lack of quality in controls in most games or the comparatively inferior graphics compared to PC and console versions. However, Call of Duty Mobile is an exception that is worth trying—and it is one of the best mobile games with controller support.

It has one of the largest player bases among all games in the mobile market and is constantly updated and kept alive by its rapidly growing community. The controls are surprisingly good even without a gamepad, but of course, playing with a mobile controller connected is much better (and players will perform much better with it).

12 Fortnite

Fortnite had a challenging time in the mobile market, particularly in the Apple Store. As a result, the game is only available for Android devices or can be downloaded directly through Epic Games. The gameplay is largely the same as on PC, and its cartoonish art style makes it well-suited for mobile devices.

It will take a while for iPhone users to be able to download the popular battle royale game again. In the meantime, Android players who haven't had the chance to try out 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, as they both came out around the same time. However, it is challenging for Terraria players to go back to Minecraft, as the latter is not nearly as extensive or deep as its 2D counterpart. On mobile devices, the game functions in various ways, providing a fresh gameplay experience even for hardcore fans.

The game recently received its final major update called "Journey's End," which will soon make its way to the mobile version of the game as well. The use of touch controls certainly has its appeal, especially for inventory management. However, most mobile controller games benefit from players being able to act more precisely with gamepads, 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 sole creator of the game, has spent the majority of a decade working on and developing this absolute gem. It works even better on mobile devices than on PC or console.

One aspect of this is the touch controls, which are present in practically every smartphone nowadays. However, with a mobile controller, it transforms into the perfect game for road trips or cozy gaming sessions on the couch. It belongs to the games with controller support that can devour hours of the day without even realizing the time passing by—in a good way, of course.

9 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2

Surprisingly, the Star Wars role-playing game Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords has been ported to mobile devices. It's not a graphically intensive game, but the complexity of the gameplay mechanics makes it somewhat challenging to play with touch controls alone.

Knights of the Old Republic 2 with a mobile controller feels just like the original game. Additionally, very few changes have been made to the gameplay from the original version to the mobile version.

8 Limbo

Limbo is a platform horror game that puts the player in the shoes of a shadowy boy navigating terrifying landscapes. The game was one of the original "classic" indie horror games, and its mobile version introduced new players to its black-and-white world.

The game requires relatively precise inputs at certain points, which are difficult to execute accurately solely through touch reactions. While Limbo can be played without a controller, like most mobile games that support controllers, players find it slightly less frightening when they can reliably control the character, if only for that reason.

7 VVVVVV

VVVVVV is a completely unique platform game that relies on a single, solitary mechanism: the reversal of gravity. To navigate through the game's various rooms, the player must synchronize their movements and gravity switches.

Each of the mobile games that support a controller and rely on timing is better with a controller than with touch controls - fortunately, VVVVVV allows players to connect one and use the intuitive controls of the console version.

6 Roblox

Roblox is the consistently popular open-world sandbox game that offers countless separate worlds, each with its own mini-games, community, or other unique aspect. If you've never played Roblox, the game is free and definitely worth checking out, especially for the mini-games alone.

However, using touch controls in Roblox is extremely impractical. A mobile controller is absolutely the best choice for those intending to play Roblox for an extended period 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 an exaggeration to say that Minecraft is likely the most popular game in the USA, thanks to its simplicity and extensive building possibilities.

The mobile version of Minecraft differs in many ways from the PC version. As one of the best mobile games with controller support, Minecraft closely resembles the console version, albeit with slightly fewer refinements.

4 Brawlhalla

Brawlhalla is a free fighting game that places a strong emphasis on multiplayer and fast-paced, brutal battles. The game can be played locally or online with cross-platform functionality on a variety of systems, including the Switch, Xbox systems, and PlayStation systems.

The game is surprisingly enjoyable and offers a huge selection of characters. The modding and customization options in the game are also quite extensive. With a controller, Brawlhalla transforms into a proper competitive game that cannot be matched by weak touch controls. It belongs to the mobile games with controller support where using a gamepad is almost necessary.