Which controller or keyboard and mouse is better for gaming?

Should you use a game controller or a keyboard and mouse? This debate has been going on for as long as computers and console games have appeared.

Nowadays, you can use both ways to play games. But which option is superior? Let's look at all the arguments in different contexts to see which option is actually better for gaming.

Ergonomics and precision

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Nintendo has long pioneered game controller hardware design and introduced the famous boxy NES game controller in the mid-1980s. Although successful, it was not very ergonomic, with hard edges and joystick-free design. Its design makes many people uncomfortable when using it for long periods of time.

But since then, Microsoft and Sony have improved this rudimentary product and created one of the most comfortable pieces of input hardware known to the public.

Modern game controllers boast grip layouts, button and thumb placement that conventional keyboards cannot match. The only competition to the ergonomics of modern game controllers are gaming mice, and they have limited functionality.

The biggest drawback of the keyboard and mouse combo is that it needs a surface to work effectively. Therefore, the game controller is easier to use in different positions for long periods of time.

However, by design, a game controller cannot replace the precision that a keyboard and mouse provide. With a mouse, you can aim more precisely, and some gaming mice even have enhanced Polling Rate for superior accuracy.

And we all know how difficult it is to try to type something with a game controller. Any game that requires you to type things frequently is better off using a keyboard.

Compatibility and versatility

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You can use the game controller with anything. For example, you can connect a game controller to an Android tablet or connect a DualSense PS5 game controller to a Mac, etc. The new generation game controller can work on almost any system .

What's more wonderful is that game developers know this and they will often release games so that people who like game controllers can also access them (even though this is not a console game). This compatibility goes beyond keyboard and mouse pairing, which often has no place in smaller devices like phones and tablets.

It's true that you can connect your keyboard and mouse to the last two generations of Xbox and PlayStation, but their support in many game consoles is very limited. And while you can connect a keyboard and mouse to the Nintendo Switch, you can't use it for gaming.

The highlight of keyboards and mice is the versatility they offer. This combo is what you need to play any game. Once the PC version of the game is released, you can play it with a keyboard and mouse. Keyboard and mouse combos are simply suitable for more games.

Are different types of games suitable for controllers or keyboards and mice?

You may be wondering which type of game is better suited to a controller/keyboard and mouse. Here is a list of game genres and the devices best suited for them.

The game is suitable for game controllers

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Games that don't require a lot of real-time action are good for game controllers. Here are common examples:

1. Platformer (platformer) : They have limited movements and actions. Typically, the character only needs to move in a two-way path and will have a limited number of abilities that can be easily activated with a button or two. That's why Super Mario is great on Nintendo consoles.
2. Fighting games : Tekken and Mortal Kombat, for example, rely on quick, precise button presses and good reaction times. They will not benefit from the keyboard and mouse in any way. The opponent is already targeted and doesn't need the precision that a mouse would provide.
3. Driving games : Overall, gamepads can help simulate the feeling of pressing on the pedals (especially thanks to responsive triggers). The thumbstick can also give you the feeling of moving the steering wheel while giving you room to determine the appropriate level of force.
4. Sports games : Popular sports games like FIFA, NBA 2K and NHL will play better on a game controller. That's because, like fighting games, they require precise button presses and well-timed reactions.

The game is suitable for keyboard and mouse

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Any game that requires precision and real-time reactions is better using a keyboard and mouse. Here are some common examples:

1. First-person shooters : In any FPS game, the most important thing is reaction time and accuracy. Without some aiming aid, there's no way a person with a gamepad is at the same level as a person with a mouse. So you should use keyboard and mouse for Fortnite and Warzone.
2. Real-time strategy game : Imagine playing Age of Empires with a game controller. This is a game that requires selecting and moving the camera on the map and building structures quickly. Only a mouse can rotate the camera and click on objects at a good enough speed.
3. MOBA Games : Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like Dota 2 and League of Legends require players to be precise when aiming and using abilities assigned to hotkeys on the keyboard. It is possible to use a game controller, but that will put you at a disadvantage.

Single-player RPG

Single-player RPGs are the perfect example of how well a game controller and keyboard + mouse combo can work together. You can use either option, depending on preference.

Since single-player RPGs have no competition with others, you can play on your own terms. Gamepad players will have aim assist, and mouse players can enjoy precision if they want.

For example, you can enjoy either method if you're playing games like Horizon: Forbidden West, The Witcher 3, or Hogwarts Legacy.

So which controller or keyboard and mouse is better for gaming?

From a pure gaming perspective, there is no winning option; it's simply a matter of prioritizing accuracy or comfort.

However, when considering other factors, the keyboard and mouse will prevail. Gamepads don't capture what you can do on your computer with a keyboard and mouse. Additionally, using a mouse and keyboard makes typing and navigation much easier.

And because keyboard and mouse pairing works with almost every game, if you have to choose, a mouse and keyboard combo will give you a better experience. You might not be able to play all your games as comfortably as you'd like, but you can at least play most of them.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 19 October 2023