Highlights

• PC gaming dominates for shooter games due to mouse & keyboard precision. Console controllers have improved but still fall short.
• PS5 supports mouse & keyboard to enhance gameplay for shooter titles. Attaching these peripherals is worthwhile for accuracy.
• Competitive FPS games like Call of Duty benefit greatly from mouse aim, offering more accuracy and precision for players.

When gaming first began to leave arcades, home consoles dominated the video game industry. As computer components became more accessible and advanced, though, the PC started to overshadow consoles in terms of graphics and versatility. In particular, computers quickly became the go-to gaming platform for shooter games since the mouse and keyboard offered more accurate aiming and quicker reaction times. To their credit, console controllers have greatly improved, but they are still no match for a mouse and keyboard.

As a result, most console gamers will avoid playing against a PC player, even if the game supports crossplay. Fortunately for PlayStation 5 players, some games support a mouse and keyboard, allowing for easier gameplay or giving them an advantage over their controller-using peers. It can be a bit cumbersome to attach these two things to a console, but this effort is worthwhile for players who lack a powerful gaming PC and want to enjoy the accuracy and accessibility afforded by this alternate control scheme.

Updated on April 5, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The PlayStation 5 has been a bastion of promoting accessibility in every way, shape, and form. From reports of a controller designed to promote this accessibility all the way to first-party releases boasting a wealth of accessibility features that do a great job of letting more players get into these amazing games for themselves, it's easy to see why the PlayStation brand continues to stand strong despite a few stumbles here and there. The addition of mouse and keyboard support for the PS5 has gone a long way in ensuring that players can enjoy the best experience possible while playing games that feel better with keyboard shortcuts, the precision afforded by a mouse, or a combination of both.

17 Call Of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War

A Competitive FPS Where Aiming With A Mouse Helps Out A Lot

It's only a given that any FPS would benefit from mouse aim, and Black Ops – Cold War is no exception here. Competitive multiplayer requires players to be as accurate with their aim as possible, something which is augmented if players use a mouse to get an edge against their opponents.

Players more used to aiming accurately with a mouse will love this simple change of controls, letting them take headshots from range with striking accuracy. It's a simple and great way to enhance the gameplay of this title considerably.

16 Quake

A Classic FPS That Works Better With The Control Scheme It Was Intended For In The First Place

Quake is one of the most legendary first-person shooters of all time, and PS5 players will be glad to know they can get to experience this piece of history courtesy of an unexpected re-release of this iconic game on the platform. Retro gaming has a charm of its own, and no game personifies just how fun games were at a much simpler time than Quake.

However, while the integration of the DualSense feels natural enough, most players would agree that a mouse is the best way to aim in this FPS. Given how this game demands accuracy at every step of the way and punishes players for missing shots, it's easy to see why some players would prefer to avoid any unnecessary frustrations by aiming more accurately with a mouse instead of struggling.

15 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Mowing Down Other Players With Accurate Mouse Aim Is Extremely Satisfying

Many people have turned Modern Warfare 3 into a punching bag, with its short and disappointing campaign being singled out by many as an afterthought. Call of Duty games have faced their fair share of ups and downs, but almost all of these games feature fun gunplay in multiplayer that makes them worth checking out.

Modern Warfare 3 is no exception here, and players who insist on playing the latest Call of Duty game whenever it launches will find it prudent to use a mouse to perfect their aim against the many skilled human opponents that will come their way. It's a simple and efficient way to improve one's aim and mow down foes without wasting too many valuable shots.

14 Terraria

A 2D Survival-Crafting Game Where Mouse & Keyboard Gives Players More Control

Terraria is a game many people unfairly label as a 2D version of Minecraft, which does a huge disservice to the amount of love and effort the developers have put into this game. The title has received a regular and steady stream of updates, letting players enjoy a wealth of new content and updated features time and time again.

In most survival games, players would want their movement to be as snappy and efficient as possible. While a controller is a decent substitute, nothing beats the feedback of a keyboard and mouse. Terraria will feel so much better to play for people who may be struggling to get into this indie gem.

13 Paladins

A Hero Shooter Where Aiming With A Mouse Is Better For Players

Even the biggest fans of controllers would agree that a mouse and keyboard are simply better when it comes to playing first-person shooter-type projects. Games that demand players to be as accurate as possible will benefit from a mouse that can aim quickly and more accurately too.

Paladins is a pretty competitive hero shooter, and struggling players can switch over to this input to make things easier for themselves. Aiming is fast, snappy, and engaging, which is perfect for players who want an edge over their opponents.

12 Deep Rock Galactic

Most FPS Title Just Feel Better When Aiming With A Mouse

A co-op PvE shooter that has hit the ground running, Deep Rock Galactic is one of the most entertaining titles that players can check out if they wish to enjoy a great time with their friends. The sheer amount of love and effort put into this game is palpable for everyone to see, with the idea of controlling space dwarves and mining in a hostile alien planet for resources being pretty engaging in its own right.

The procedurally generated nature of the levels ensures that players will never get bored playing through the game over and over again. Teamwork is critical to fighting against the aggressive and hostile monsters present in the game, making for a great time as players become more adept at playing the game and make a ton of progress in later playthroughs.

11 Jurassic World Evolution 2

A Dinosaur Park Simulator That's Way More Engaging With A Mouse To Place Structures

It's only a given that simulation games would be optimal and easy to control using a mouse and keyboard, and this is precisely why Jurassic World Evolution 2 is a perfect game to play using a mouse and keyboard. Placing structures and running a dinosaur park efficiently becomes way easier with this alternate control scheme.

Fans of this IP will love making their dreams a reality with this game. Jurassic World Evolution 2 is a wonderful game that can keep players engaged for hours on end, and using a mouse and keyboard makes for a control scheme that is way more natural than having to use a controller to manage multiple things at once.

10 The Sims 4

A Great Life Sim Game That Is A PC Classic And Feels Better With A Mouse & Keyboard For Obvious Reasons

The Sims 4 is a life simulation game that needs no introduction. It got over a rough launch to become a riveting gaming experience that would benefit from the precision and ease of use that comes with using a keyboard and mouse.

With a keyboard, players can use shortcuts to interact with the game's menus, while the mouse makes it easy to select anyone or anything in the virtual world while also issuing commands more efficiently to their Sims. The game's complex building and customization mechanics are also much easier to use with a mouse, allowing players to create and customize their Sims' homes with greater ease and accuracy.

9 Splitgate

Shooting With A Mouse Just Feels Better

Splitgate is a first-person shooter that combines elements of classic fast-paced arena shooters with innovative portal mechanics. Playing with a keyboard and mouse allows for faster, more precise aiming and movement, which is essential in a game that requires quick reflexes and accurate shooting.

While a controller is perfectly fine to use in Splitgate, it can lead to the same issues many people would experience with any FPS in terms of accuracy. With the precision and speed that comes with using a keyboard and mouse, players can dominate the competition in Splitgate.

8 Risk Of Rain 2

A Fast-Paced Roguelike Where Mouse & Keyboard Feels More Responsive And Can Be Life-Saving In Critical Moments

Risk of Rain 2 is the definition of a perfect sequel, improving on the original in pretty much every way. This fast-paced third-person shooter with roguelike elements is bound to be more engaging and satisfying to play with a keyboard and mouse, especially if players use ranged weaponry.

The mouse makes it easy to aim and shoot, which is a godsend in a game where death can arrive from any corner. With the speed and precision that comes with using a keyboard and mouse, players can survive longer and progress further in Risk of Rain 2.

7 Final Fantasy 14

A Legendary MMORPG Where Hotkeys Are Perfect For Fights Against Imposing Foes

Final Fantasy 14 is an expansive MMORPG with a complex array of skills and abilities that players need to employ to defeat the many challenging foes in the game. Using a keyboard and mouse allows players to navigate the game's menus and interface with greater ease and speed, letting them execute more complex moves with ease.

The mouse also makes it easier to interact with the game's vast world and its elements, making this act way less finicky than it would be with a controller. Suffice it to say, Final Fantasy 14's roots as an MMORPG make it perfect for a keyboard and mouse, regardless of whether players check this game out on the PC or PS5.

6 Minecraft Bedrock Edition

The OG Survival-Crafting Game Where Harder Modes Can Benefit With Mouse & Keyboard Support

Minecraft is one of the most successful video games in history. That's because Minecraft has hundreds of unique building materials to choose from, meaning there's no limit to what a player can create. Moreover, players who struggle with creativity can test their survival skills by playing Survival Mode.

PlayStation 5 players can play Minecraft with a controller, but it also has mouse and keyboard support. Playing with a mouse and keyboard is highly recommended since it helps players build and interact better. For example, controller players can't quickly select an item from their Hotbar, while a mouse and keyboard player can with a simple press of a button.

5 Warframe

A Looter Shooter Where Mouse Aiming Gives Players An Edge

Warframe is among the few free-to-play MMOs that have stood the test of time. This third-person shooter allows players to control unique Warframes (similar to a Mobile Suit from Gundam) to fight off several alien races in various procedurally-generated environments.

The PlayStation 5 version of Warframe has keyboard and mouse support, which comes in handy while using certain weapons like the overpowered Sniper Rifles. As well as helping with weapon aiming, a mouse and keyboard will also allow players to navigate through missions more easily, especially the Sorties or Spy ones.

4 Cities: Skylines

A City-Building Simulator Where Players Have More Control With A Mouse & Keyboard

Even though Cities: Skylines didn't have the same impact as SimCity, it still managed to satisfy the city-building simulation community. Over the years, though, Cities: Skylines has evolved from a basic city-building game to one that allows players to build complex cities, which wasn't possible in older games.

Due to its complexity, playing on a controller isn't recommended since players will spend more time trying to navigate to a particular section than actually playing the game. Fortunately, Cities: Skylines on the PlayStation 5 has mouse and keyboard support, which is a huge advantage for beginners. With a mouse and keyboard, players can react quickly if there's a disaster, such as a tornado or a tsunami.

3 Fortnite

A Legendary Battle Royale Game Where Mouse Aiming Gives Players A Competitive Edge

Despite being often called "the Battle Royale for kids," Fortnite has become the go-to BR for crossovers, featuring characters from Marvel, DC, Star Wars, and even John Wick himself. Aside from the crossovers, Fortnite isn't a normal Battle Royale since players must also learn how to build defensive and offensive structures in the heat of a battle.

As players can expect, building a structure in the blink of an eye (like some pro-Fortnite PC players do) is quite challenging and somewhat impossible with a controller. The good news is that the PS5 version of Fortnite allows players to use a mouse and keyboard, as while Fortnite does have aim assist for controllers, this doesn't help when it comes to building structures.

2 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Another Entry In A Long-Running Modern FPS Series Where Mouse Aiming Enhances A Player's Accuracy

The Call of Duty franchise has one of the largest communities in the first-person shooter gaming world. Not every Call of Duty installment has been received well, but they all have action-packed multiplayer content. Despite its flaws, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has gained lots of popularity since it introduced several groundbreaking game modes and gameplay mechanics.

While there's a strong belief that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 controller players are at an advantage due to the game's aim assist, the fact is that they can't compete against a skilled mouse and keyboard player. Fortunately, COD: Modern Warfare 2 on the PlayStation 5 supports a mouse and keyboard, which means that players can quickly aim at players with a simple flick of the wrist.

Modern Warfare 3 also supports keyboard and mouse on PS5.

1 Planet Coaster Console Edition

A Theme Park Simulator That Can Be Played More Efficiently With A Mouse & Keyboard

The spiritual predecessor of Rollercoaster Tycoon, Planet Coaster has earned its place as one of the best theme park creation simulators in the video game market. The console community wasn't left behind either, with Planet Coaster Console Edition being a great way to experience this fun amusement park simulator for themselves.

Similar to Cities: Skylines, though, this theme park creation simulator doesn't play too well on a controller since the navigation menu is quite extensive. As a result, it's highly recommended to play with a mouse and keyboard, which the PS5 version supports. With a mouse and keyboard, players can build rides a lot easier, especially rides that require painstaking accurate placement, like roller coasters. This is important, as failing to place a ride correctly can be costly for the park if there's an accident.