Mobile gaming continues to be the fastest-growing sector of the gaming industry. It’s responsible for billions in revenue, partly due to the platform’s availability around the world, and partly for mobile games' innateability to be played on the go. Regardless of the reasons, there’s no denying that the medium has several great titles that players can try out for themselves. Mobile games have a stereotype of being casual-only experiences, titles that no “true gamer” would ever touch.
Thankfully, many people have overcome these outdated perceptions, as there are countless games on the platform with just as much competitiveness and uniqueness as their PC and console counterparts. Players who want to enjoy a competitive edge or just play games without having to deal with touch controls can try using a mobile controller for more precise inputs on the go. It’s certainly not mandatory to have a controller to enjoy mobile games… but it definitely helps in its own way, especially for seasoned gamers who are too used to the feedback of physical button presses and the like.
Updated June 15, 2025, by Hamza Haq:With the mobile gaming market steadily and quietly growing over the past decade or so and ballooning to become the silent majority of gamers, mobile games have evolved accordingly. While most mobile games tend to rely on the ubiquitous nature of the platform to do the heavy lifting, some go the extra mile, incorporating controller support on top of everything else so that gamers who are unused or unhappy with touchscreen controls can use their controller to play instead. It’s a quality-of-life feature that most mobile gamers probably won’t end up using, but for those who do, it’s a game-changer. The list has been updated with two additional mobile games with controller support to give prospective players some more options to browse.
BeforeFinal Fantasybecame the powerhouse that everyone knows it for, Square tried many unique things with this IP. One of these instances involved a game calledFinal Fantasy Adventure, an RPG with an action focus that the company felt was too distanced from the core of the series. So, this turned into theManaseries, with the first title finally being remade for modern systems after a long time.
Adventures of Manais a fun and simple game that players can check out for their mobiles. Players can use a controller to heighten their enjoyment of this title even more, even if the gameplay isn’t so hectic that a single missed button press can cause problems for the player.
A survival game that took over the gaming landscape by storm when it was launched,Don’t Starvebecame such a smash hit thatit even got ported to mobile phones! The amazing art style and unique survival gameplay of this series make it a treat in every way, and the fact that players can play this on a device they carry with them all the time makes it even better.
While the touch controls of this title are pretty decent in their own right, there’s no denying thatDon’t Starve: Pocket Editionis better experienced on a controller since that is what the game was designed for. Survival in this game can be pretty challenging, and players will slowly make progress over the course of the game before understanding how its systems work, making for a captivating experience that arguably paved the way for more indie survival games to enjoy the spotlight.
25Evoland 2: A Slight Case Of Spacetime Continuum Disorder
Journey Through Gaming’s Evolution
The history of video games is a truly fascinating one, starting out with what seemed like rudimentary 8-bit graphics before moving on to more complex imagery. Eventually, 3D models entered the picture… and the rest is history. Players who want to witness the huge difference between these art styles will lovewhatEvoland 2brings to the table, serving as a great sequel that fans will love.
Watching the art style of the game evolve from these rudimentary visuals into a full 3D landscape is pretty engaging and goes a long way in ensuring that players appreciate the effort that goes into showing the evolution of video game graphics while tying this development with the plot. It may be a simplistic game in some ways, but most mobile gamers will have a great time with whatEvoland 2sets out to achieve… especially if they use a controller to play the game!
PUBGis a game that reached immense heights of popularity in no time at all. Picking up the phone and starting a game was as easy as they come, with the intense battle royale gameplay making for lengthy and engaging play sessions where teamwork is key.
PUBG Mobilerequires fast reflexes and good aiming to attain victory, and this can be achieved via controllers. Connecting one to a phone and playing this game makes a world of difference and increases the player’s chances of getting that elusive chicken dinner.
Stumble Guysis thedirect competitor ofFall Guys, the hit multiplayer party knockout obstacle course game available on all mobile devices. Players compete in matches with 32 other players and try to reach the finish line ahead of the rest to progress to the next round. Each round eliminates a number of players until only one is left, who is then crowned as the winner of the match.
Between the two,Fall Guysis clearly the winner in terms of art style and overall gameplay, butStumble Guysholds its own by offering faster load times, a larger player pool, and unique maps. On mobile, playingStumble Guyswith a controller makes the game much easier as the player gets to see the entire screen and can identify fast-moving obstacles and other competitors much more easily.
22VVVVVV
Gravity-Flipping Fun
VVVVVVis 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.
Any of the mobile games that support a controller and that require timing is better with a controller than with touch, though – luckily enoughVVVVVVallows players to plug one in and use the intuitive controls present on the console version.
Fans ofZeldagames will love whatOceanhornhas to offer, with this action-adventure title being one of the best mobile games around. Both this title and its sequel are quality games that are well worth their reasonable price tag.
Fans ofThe Wind Wakerwill have a great time with this title, given how similarOceanhornis to that game in particular. With a controller, this title becomes more fun to play through, with a player’s input being precise and satisfying as opposed to the regular touch controls this title is shipped with on mobile platforms.
20GRID Autosport
The Mobile Racing Experience Refined
Racing games are pretty popular on mobile platforms, with several great titles in this genre being playable on mobile platforms. One such game that racing fans should check out isGRID Autosport, a racing title that is great for people who are seeking out more realistic racing experiences.
GRID Autosporthas a bit of a learning curve, which is something that fans might not expect from a mobile title. This is precisely what makes this game such a draw on mobile though, and players will love how realistic it is to handle and drive a car. Players who want to ensure that their handling of the car doesn’t waver in the slightest can use a controller to make their lives easier.
Gameloft has hit an absolute gold mine withAsphalt, a series that has 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 Legends Unite, 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!
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreasis one of the most legendary open-world games ever made. Even with all the controversy surrounding the release ofGrand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, there’s no denying thatSan Andreasis 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 ofSan Andreasstill 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!
