Hey Laptop gamers: It’s okay to participate in with a controller

A specific universal look crosses the faces of many Personal computer players when they locate out that sure, I play with a controller. Quite a few common levels frequently follow. 

Very first, denial. (“No way, why would you?”) Then a various sum of anger. (“A controller isn’t as good as a mouse and keyboard!”) Then bargaining. (“You should really consider mouse and keyboard for shooters.”) Then despair. (“I can not think you prefer a controller.”)

Sometimes…we access acceptance. At times not ever. (See: My ongoing debate about this with my colleague Gordon Mah Ung on VFAB’s Complete Nerd podcast.) And I loathe to be severe with my coworkers, a lot much less the many folks I have fulfilled in excess of the training course of my existence who have adopted this script, but… 

Some games just perform greater on controller. And that is okay.

For folks deeply devoted to a mouse and keyboard, it’s a challenging principle to swallow. And normally, they mean nicely! They’re eager to introduce me to the plan that I could have a great deal faster, precise goal and responsiveness from my enter of option. I see that and regard the try at aid.

(Gordon, on the other hand…)

But there are game genres that are genuinely nicely-suited to controllers. Platformers. Arcade video games. Combating game titles. Racing video games. Let’s also not ignore console ports originally intended with a controller in intellect, and other genres that can swing both way (e.g., motion or journey online games). A established of analog thumbsticks frequently has the edge right here, and the button format feels good, as well. Plus, you have distinct controllers to decide on from, so you’re not stuck with only a single kind. (If you’ve got ample money, there are large-end models like the Xbox Elite controller that you can customize the heck out of.)

TheXomil / Pixabay

Even for genres where a competitive benefit exists with mouse and keyboard, a controller however operates properly high-quality. That is proper: You can still participate in shooters with a controller. Yep, I know mouse and keyboard have an benefit for purpose and management. But you can however have continuous fingers and an precise set off finger on controller, even devoid of purpose support. (How do I know? I’ve labored with such proficient men and women.) It is far more than high-quality for solitary-participant or if you are not chasing peak overall performance in competition—which is a whole lot of men and women.

Would I advocate everybody engage in with a controller for all issues? No, and primarily not if you like method games. But that’s the magnificence of the Laptop. You can do what you want. Mix it up if you want—or really do not. I have played co-op platformers with close friends who employed a mouse and keyboard. But taking part in on controller should not be a mark of disgrace or censure.

It is just one more choice. And at times, it is the outstanding a single.