In this controller vs. keyboard & mouse fight, which option is better for PC gaming? This is a debate that has been going on for a long time within the gaming community. Each peripheral has its pros and cons, so choosing one can have a noticeable impact on your gaming experience.

So, to help you with this dilemma we’ll tell you in this post which are the types of games where it’s more appropriate to use a controller and which are better to play with keyboard and mouse. You’ll also learn the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Keyboard and Mouse Pros and Cons

Pros

Using keyboard and mouse to play games provides you with the following benefits:

• Accuracy and speed
  When using a keyboard and mouse you’ll notice how precision is its main attribute, especially in games where you have to aim at the enemy. Besides, the mouse allows you to make quick movements, which comes in handy in those games where making split-second decisions can lead to victory or defeat. This precision would be difficult to achieve if you use the analog sticks of the controller.

• Customization
  An appreciable advantage of keyboards is that they have a wide range of keys that you can configure to perform different actions. This feature allows you to set up more complex control schemes along with the ability to create macros to perform repetitive tasks. As for the mouse, many models made for gaming have built-in additional buttons that give you the ability to program them to perform specific functions.

Cons

Let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages of using a keyboard & mouse:

• Learning curve
  Although the number of customization options is greater, as well as the precision it provides, it can be a challenge to get used to a keyboard and mouse for gaming if you’re someone who is making the leap from console gaming to PC gaming. In addition, you may find it uncomfortable to place your hands on the keyboard and mouse. In this context the learning curve in using these peripherals can be steep, but it’s a matter of practice and consistency.

• Occupy more space and you can’t use them out of place
  As you might expect, the keyboard and mouse take up more space on the desktop than a controller. Besides, you need a mouse pad to make it easier to move the mouse. This also means that you can only use them from one place, unlike the controller, which can be used away from the desk and in different positions.

Controller Pros and Cons

Pros

Among the benefits of using controllers are:

• Comfort and ergonomics
  In their design you can clearly see that the controllers are made to give your hands a comfortable grip, allowing you to play for hours. You can use the controller from the comfort of a sofa or in other positions that allow you to keep your body relaxed, while with the keyboard and mouse you usually need a desk to use them.

• Analog control
  With the controller you get an analog control that allows you to carry out more subtle movements, which you can take advantage of in racing games, platformers and other genres where having precise control of speed and direction is essential.

• Haptic feedback
  Advanced haptic feedback systems are included in modern controllers, which contribute to improve immersion. These systems can provide you with subtle vibrations and resistance that mimic the actions of the game.

Cons

Some of the disadvantages of the controllers are:

• Limited precision
  In the controllers the precision is usually inferior to that provided by the keyboard & mouse. So you may have difficulty aiming with a controller in first person shooter (FPS) games or other types of games that require some precision to accomplish the mission.

• Limited customization
  Although some controller models offer you customization options, their number is lower than those offered by a keyboard & mouse. Therefore, if you’re the type of player who likes to adapt the game to your preferences, you should know that with a controller will be few the adjustments that you’ll be able to implement.

• Duration
  In the case of wireless controllers these require batteries to operate, which need to be charged after a few hours. So if you decide to use this type of controller you must be very careful not to run out of power in the middle of a game session.

• Learning curve
  If you have always been a person who has used a keyboard & mouse to play games, you’ll probably find it difficult to adapt to the controller for PC gaming. It’s not that it’s impossible, but it may take you some time to assimilate the layout and placement of the buttons. Using it involves a learning curve that can be frustrating for some gamers, so keep this in mind if you’re willing to use this device for PC gaming.

What Are the Games to Use with Keyboard & Mouse?

Here are the games where you can get the best performance using keyboard and mouse:

• First person shooters (FPS)
  In FPS games the keyboard and mouse are the best to use since they favor precision in those occasions where you have to aim. Also, using the mouse in games like Counter Strike, Valorant and Overwatch represents a notable advantage due to the fast and precise movements it provides.

• RTS (real time strategy games) and MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) strategy games
  Games like StarCraft II or Dota 2 where you need to manage several units or complex user interfaces are best played with keyboard & mouse. With the keyboard you can quickly access the hotkeys, as well as the unit groups. While with the mouse you can select those units with precision, making it easier to navigate the map.

• MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games)
  MMORPG titles like World of Warcraft are endowed with complex interfaces where as characters within that world we can collect numerous skills and items. The use of keyboard & mouse makes it a bit easier to manage these interfaces so that you can access a wide range of actions much faster.

What Are the Games to Use with Controllers?

It’s time now to see which are the games where it’s much more practical to use a controller:

• Racing games
  Both the triggers and the sticks of the controller give you an analog control that can be very useful in racing games. Hence you can have a more precise handling in aspects such as acceleration, braking and steering.

• Fighting games
  In this type of games many of their fans prefer the controllers. In the controller the layout of the buttons allows it to adapt smoothly to the punch and kick commands in fighting games.

• Platforms
  The controller is the best choice for 2D and 3D platform games such as Neko Ghost, jump and Super Paper Mario. Meanwhile, the analog stick gives you more precise control over movement and jumping, which are almost always a constant in this type of game.

• Sports games
  FIFA or NBA 2K are sports games that were made to be played with a controller. Here the analog sticks allow you to have an intuitive control of the player’s movements and actions.

Controller vs. Keyboard and Mouse: Final Words

In this dilemma of controller vs. keyboard & mouse there are several factors that influence the decision to choose one or the other. We’re talking about the type of game, personal comfort and skill level. Besides, it’s also necessary to know the advantages and disadvantages of each option in different scenarios so that you can have a more complete perspective on their use.

Given everything explained in this post, it can be said that the keyboard-mouse combination is effective and has an advantage for accurate aiming in FPS, RTS and MMORPG games. On the other hand, controllers can be more effective in racing, fighting, platform and sports games.