From Keyboard to Comfort: The Best PC Games to Play with a PC Controller

For decades, PC gaming has been dominated by the holy duo of mouse and keyboard. Precision aiming, hotkey combos, and lightning-fast reaction times make them unbeatable in certain genres. But let’s be honest—sometimes you don’t want precision. You want comfort. You want to lean back, sink into your chair (or couch), and enjoy gaming in a more relaxed way. That’s where the PC controller steps in, and some games simply feel better when you ditch the desk warrior setup.

Why Controllers Change the Game

Not every title benefits from a WASD and mouse combo. Genres like racing, fighting, and sports practically demand analog sticks and pressure-sensitive triggers for the kind of immersion keyboards can’t provide. Even narrative-driven RPGs can feel more cinematic when you’ve got a controller in hand, letting you focus less on mechanics and more on story.

This is exactly why picking up the best PC controller can transform your gaming experience. Whether it’s plugging into Steam’s Big Picture Mode, connecting wirelessly via Bluetooth, or even customizing layouts in modern titles, controllers bridge the gap between PC flexibility and console comfort. And once you have one, you’ll start noticing just how many games are meant to be played this way.

Racing Games: Analog Precision Matters

Try playing Forza Horizon or F1 23 on a keyboard, and you’ll quickly realize how impossible it is to finesse cornering without analog input. A controller’s triggers let you feather the throttle and brake instead of the all-or-nothing keystrokes. Even arcade racers like Need for Speed or Burnout Paradise Remastered become exponentially more fun when you can glide through turns instead of jerking left and right like you’re driving bumper cars.

Fighting Games: Timing Over Tapping

If you’ve ever tried pulling off a Hadouken in Street Fighter with a keyboard, you know the frustration. Fighting games thrive on smooth quarter-circle motions, and controllers are designed for exactly that. Whether it’s Mortal Kombat 11, Tekken 8, or even indie brawlers like Rivals of Aether, using a controller doesn’t just make combos easier—it makes the whole game flow the way developers intended.

Sports Titles: Console DNA Lives On

Most sports games are still designed with consoles in mind first, which makes controllers the natural fit. FIFA 24, NBA 2K, and Madden NFL feel awkward on a keyboard, where button layouts never quite match the fluidity of a controller. With a gamepad in hand, passes, shots, and tackles feel intuitive, and multiplayer matches on PC finally mirror the console couch co-op experience.

Action RPGs: Immersion Through Ergonomics

Titles like Dark Souls III, Elden Ring, and Monster Hunter: World prove that some of the best action RPGs are crafted around controller layouts. Dodging, rolling, and locking on to enemies feel seamless with thumbsticks and shoulder buttons. Even sprawling RPGs like The Witcher 3 or Cyberpunk 2077 become less about fiddling with keybinds and more about immersing yourself in the story and atmosphere.

Comfort is a Feature

At the end of the day, controllers aren’t about outperforming keyboards—they’re about options. The ability to switch from competitive FPS mode on mouse and keyboard to cinematic RPG mode on a controller is what makes PC gaming so versatile. And when paired with a solid monitor, good sound system, or even a couch setup, it turns your PC into the ultimate hybrid machine.

Featured Image by Freepik.