While there’s nothing wrong with that, maybe it’s time you gave controllers a chance.

I did, and the experience was eye-opening.

Racing, fighting, and platform game fans know what I’m talking about.

A special edition Xbox One Minecraft Pig controller leaning against a computer.

Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To Geek

Developers create games that work on all popular platforms, which happens to include both consoles and PCs.

What controllers lack in buttons, they make up for with pressure-sensitive inputs.

Controllers have joysticks and trigger buttons that respond differently based on how much pressure you apply to them.

People sitting on a couch while playing a video game on a TV.

AnnaStills/Shutterstock.com

This gives you a greater amount of control over what you do in-game.

Pressure-sensitive inputs aren’t the only reason to pick up a controller.

I find that RPGs and action-adventure games often play better on a controller as well.

Scuffed Nintendo 64 controller.

Tim Brookes / How-To Geek

Games likeElden Ring,Monster Hunter: World,Diablo IV,and mostconsole portspractically beg for a controller.

Many were designed with a controller in mind, so motions and animations feel much smoother.

You also get haptic feedback in the form of vibrations that add a nice immersive touch.

xbox core controller

One of the best controllers you can buy, regardless of platform. The Xbox Core controller was designed with the Xbox Series consoles in mind but works great on a Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and more.

By contrast, a controller thumbstick moves the camera slowly, providing a smoother feel during combat.

That’s the reason why most first-person shooters rely on some form of aim assist.

So, why not combine the best of both worlds by swapping between the two depending on the scenario?

ps5 controller

Offering haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, a built-in microphone, and ergonomic design, the DualSense Controller is the best PS5 controller available today.

Love Emulators?

If you’re serious about emulators, check out our list of thebest retro controllers for PC.

I once triedDiabloon the now-defunctYuzu Switch emulatorusing a mouse and keyboard, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience.

TheXbox Core Wireless Controllerhas excellent ergonomics, decent build quality, and at an affordable price.

In contrast, first-party Xbox controllers are fully supported by Windows and work flawlessly.

If Xbox controllers aren’t your style, Sony’s iconicPlayStation DualSenseis a solid alternative.

I usedDualSenseX Windows Driversto playForza Horizon 5, and once I set it up, it worked flawlessly.

There’s also the premium variant called theDualSense Edge.

Hall effect joysticks are impressively smooth and don’t develop stick drift.

A great one for emulators is the8BitDo Ultimate Wireless Controller.

If you want something more retro, 8BitDo has a selection of classic controllers.

For more recommendations, check out ourlist of the best PC gaming controllers.

Just avoid buying super cheap controllers because most of them have shoddy build quality.