15 Best Mobile Games With Controller Support (iOS & Android)

Touch controls can work, but a controller makes mobile gaming feel like the “real” version of the game. This list of the Best Mobile Games With Controller Support focuses on titles that play great with Xbox/PlayStation-style controllers (and most popular mobile controllers), across iOS and Android.

• Expect the smoothest experience in games built for action, racing, and platforming

• Competitive shooters often match controller players together for fairness (when supported)

• Some premium ports are iOS-only, while others are on both platforms

Comparison Table

15 Best Mobile Games With Controller Support

Here they are:

1) Call of Duty: Mobile

If you want the most “console-like” competitive FPS on mobile, COD Mobile is the easiest win, with controller support for common gamepads and a fairness layer that matches controller players together. It’s fast, responsive, and built for long sessions.

• Best For: Competitive FPS fans on mobile

• Pros: Strong controller feel, established modes, fair controller matchmaking

• Cons: Aggressive monetization and progression pressure

2) Minecraft

Minecraft with a controller is pure comfort: movement, camera control, and building all feel more natural than touch. It’s also one of the best “endless” games you can keep installed forever.

• Best For: Creative play, survival worlds, long-term progression

• Pros: Massive replay value, great with sticks/buttons, works across devices

• Cons: UI/inventory can still feel busy on small screens

3) Terraria

Terraria becomes much easier to love with a controller because combat, quick movement, and hotbar management feel less cramped. If you like loot, bosses, and building, it’s ridiculous value.

• Best For: Sandbox action + boss progression

• Pros: Huge content depth, great replayability, smoother controls with controller

• Cons: Inventory/crafting can overwhelm new players

4) Stardew Valley

A controller fixes most of the “touchscreen friction,” especially in menus and combat, making Stardew feel calmer and more consistent. It’s still the coziest long-game you can play in short daily bursts.

• Best For: Cozy sessions and long-term progression

• Pros: Relaxing loop, tons to do, controller makes it feel cleaner

• Cons: A few moments still require touch input

5) Dead Cells

Dead Cells is fast and punishing in a good way, and the difference between touch and controller is night-and-day for dodges, parries, and clean movement. If you want skill-based action, start here.

• Best For: Hardcore action roguelike fans

• Pros: Precision combat, deep replay, controller support makes it “click”

• Cons: Difficulty can be steep early

6) Alien: Isolation

This is one of the best “how is this running on a phone” ports, and it’s explicitly built to feel right with a controller. The tension and stealth pacing land way better with physical controls.

• Best For: Survival horror fans

• Pros: Console-quality experience, full controller support

• Cons: Not for anxious players (it’s intense)

7) Vampire Survivors

Even though the game can be played with minimal input, a controller makes movement more comfortable and keeps your screen clearer during chaotic moments. It’s a perfect “quick run” game with deep unlocks.

• Best For: Low-effort, high-reward runs

• Pros: Addictive progression, quick sessions, controller comfort advantage

• Cons: Visual chaos can get overwhelming

8) TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge

A classic arcade beat ’em up that’s basically designed around controller play, with smooth combat flow and multiplayer chaos. If you miss couch co-op energy, this hits.

• Best For: Brawler fans and co-op vibes

• Pros: Controller-perfect combat, satisfying old-school style

• Cons: Availability/pricing can depend on how you access it (subscription vs purchase)

9) Streets of Rage 4

Another top-tier modern beat ’em up where touch controls never feel as good as buttons. It’s a clean pick for short runs or long mastery sessions.

• Best For: Stylish brawler combat

• Pros: Great feel on controller, satisfying combos

• Cons: Not as “endless” as roguelikes unless you love replaying stages

10) Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

A legendary metroidvania that simply belongs on a controller, with exploration and combat that feel natural on sticks and buttons. If you’ve never played it, mobile is a great excuse.

• Best For: Metroidvania fans and retro classics

• Pros: Timeless design, controller-friendly pacing

• Cons: Some UI/format quirks can show its age

11) Warframe

Warframe’s speed, aiming, and movement benefit massively from a controller, turning it into a more console-native experience on mobile. It’s a strong pick if you want a deep online action grind.

• Best For: Online action and long-term progression

• Pros: Fast combat, huge content, controller improves feel

• Cons: Complexity can be overwhelming at the start

12) Assassin’s Creed Mirage

This is a premium iOS action-adventure that makes far more sense with a controller than touch. If you want a story-driven, stealth-leaning experience on mobile, this is a headline pick.

• Best For: Story-driven action on iOS

• Pros: Console-style gameplay, controller-first feel

• Cons: iOS-only and heavier on storage/performance

13) Resident Evil Village

If you want full-throttle survival horror on iPhone/iPad, Village is one of the biggest showcases—and a controller helps with aiming, movement, and inventory management under pressure.

• Best For: Horror fans who want a premium port

• Pros: Big, cinematic experience; controller helps precision

• Cons: iOS-only and hardware-demanding

14) Death Stranding Director’s Cut

Traversal-heavy gameplay becomes smoother with analog movement and physical inputs, and it’s a uniquely “different” mobile experience compared to typical arcade titles. If you want something slow-burn and cinematic, pick this.

• Best For: Cinematic, slower-paced adventure fans

• Pros: Unique gameplay loop; controller makes movement feel natural

• Cons: iOS-only and not for players who want constant action

15) Wreckfest

Wreckfest is the “crashy” racing pick where a controller immediately improves steering, throttle control, and overall consistency. If you like destruction and physical driving feel, it’s a blast.

• Best For: Racing fans who want a controller-first feel

• Pros: Better steering precision, satisfying physics chaos

• Cons: Not as clean as pure sim racing (it’s intentionally messy)

How to Choose a Controller Game for Mobile

Quick Checklist:

• Pick offline-friendly games if you travel or hate ping spikes

• If you play competitively, check whether the game separates controller lobbies

• Choose games with simple UI if you’re on a small screen

• If you use a telescopic controller, prioritize games with lots of camera movement (shooters, action, racing)

Small Decision Table

Setup Tips to Reduce Lag

• Use Bluetooth low-latency modes if your controller supports it (and keep the controller updated)

• Turn on Game Mode (Android devices often have it; iOS benefits from closing background apps)

• If your controller supports it, USB-C wired play can feel tighter than Bluetooth

Wrap-Up

If you want one safe recommendation, start with Minecraft for endless value or Call of Duty: Mobile for the most competitive controller-friendly experience. If you prefer premium, console-style ports, the App Store’s controller-friendly lineup (like Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Resident Evil Village, and Death Stranding Director’s Cut) is the fastest way to make your phone feel like a handheld console.