Gaming on Android typically requires you to settle for using touchscreen controls. However, some gracious game developers take the time and effort to add support for Bluetooth gamepads — and we love them for it. Since so few games provide this feature, we've taken the time to test as many as possible.
We'd also recommend getting a Style Ring or PopSocket, which can help prop your phone up at a good angle for gaming. Here is our list of the best games that let you play with a Bluetooth controller in your hands.
BombSquad
Gaming is always more fun with friends, and BombSquad is an action-packed collection of mini-games with multiple ways to join the game. With fun and cartoony graphics, you'll be able to choose from eight different game modes.
Bluetooth controllers are supported, or you can get your friends to download the BombSquad Remote app and use their phones to control their character. This game is available for most Android devices, including Android TV, so you and your friends won't need to crowd around a tablet or — even worse — smartphone to play.
Brawlhalla
Frequently likened to Super Smash Bros., Ubisoft's Brawlhalla is one of the best fighting games you can play on mobile right now. It also happens to be one of those games that improve serious quality of life by using a compatible controller.
Of course, as with most fighting games, you'll need precise inputs to hone your skills, which can be more challenging when using touchscreen controls. But with a solid controller in hand, this shockingly feature-packed game can suck up hours and hours of your time.
Brawlhalla boasts a massive roster of playable characters, dozens of stages, 1v1 and 2v2 smackdowns, spectating, match recording, and so much more. There are five main modes you can play, like casual matchmaking, ranked, and Brawl of the Week, but in addition to those, there are a slew of other fun options like Kung Foot, BeachBrawl, Showdown, and many more beyond that. You can even create custom lobbies and tweak the settings to design exactly the kind of gameplay you're looking for.
Brawlhalla is free-to-play without ads but includes in-app purchases for premium content like cosmetics. Make no mistake, though, this game is not pay-to-win, and you can have a great time without ever paying a dime. If you want to have a fun time and punch your way to the top, you just have to give Brawlhalla a try!
Bridge Constructor Portal
If you like both Bridge Constructor and Portal, why not give the expertly named Bridge Constructor Portal a try? It blends the gameplay of both, but ultimately, it's still a Bridge Constructor puzzle game. Portals and more are thrown in for fun and an additional challenge.
If you like puzzle games, this fan-favorite is one of the best. You're only limited by your own creativity as you solve the various puzzles. There's a lot of Aperture Science shenanigans at your disposal, and Portal fans will even see some familiar characters. It's seriously a joy to play and great for killing some time.
As one of the rare puzzle games with controller support, Bridge Constructor Portal is a must-have in your Play library. Pay the $5 once, and you get a full game with no ads or additional IAPs. The game also supports achievements through Google Play Games.
Call of Duty Mobile
![Call of Duty®: Mobile - Google Play [ENGLISH] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/jxiPMVQantQ/maxresdefault.jpg)
Simply put, Call of Duty Mobile is one of the best Android games ever made. It offers an authentic experience for long-time fans of Call of Duty with a full suite of multiplayer modes to choose from.
While the Call of Duty franchise has featured some really awesome single-player campaigns, Mobile focuses exclusively on multiplayer and manages to hit it out of the park by delivering the exact style of action fans have come to know and love.
A big reason why the game plays so well is due to the involvement of Tencent Games. They've owned the mobile shooter space with PUBG Mobile, another game that's featured on this list, and fans of that game will recognize the familiar user interface and surprising gameplay performance that's been perfectly optimized for mobile. And unlike PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile was quick to receive full support for Bluetooth controllers, which makes everything that much more awesome!
The game features the core team deathmatch modes that Call of Duty is known for, along with the Battle Royale mode that was introduced in the main franchise with Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
They could have easily just stuck with the team deathmatch and still had a great game on their hands, but the inclusion of a 100-player battle royale mode and the fan-favorite zombie mode just adds that much more value to this free-to-play game.
I've been playing CoD Mobile since the beta, and it has been one of my go-to games whenever I've got a couple of minutes to kill. Because the game is so damn popular, it's super quick to jump into a match, whether you want to play with casuals or go up against more veteran players in a ranked match. There's a "premium" Battle Pass, and the game tries to push its in-app purchases on you as often as possible, but you don't have to spend any money to enjoy this excellent mobile shooter.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
When Symphony of the Night came to the Play Store out of nowhere, I was in joyful shock. This was one of my favorite games as a kid, right there with Ocarina of Time and Super Metroid, and seeing it on mobile was so exciting. It has had a massive impact on gaming as we know it, and for very good reasons.
Traverse the mysterious castle as you progress through the excellent story. I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who never had the chance to play this classic, so I'll stop there. Symphony of the Night holds up extremely well in today's gaming landscape, surprisingly well now that I think about it, and the port is quite well done. There are touchscreen controls that are okay, but playing with a controller is where it's at.
One of the best parts is that the game is only $3. That's chump change for such a great addition to your library, especially since it's easily replayable and contains a new achievement system to keep you chasing after new accolades.
Dandara
Dandara is a beautiful and incredibly engaging Metroidvania. As you might expect from the genre, there's plenty of solitary exploration as you work to make our heroine more powerful for the trials ahead. Dandara tells the story of a woman who fights to stave off her world's impending collapse. Travel throughout it, meet interesting characters and survive against the challenges that await you. Defy gravity as you explore a unique world and discover its mysteries.
The Trials of Fear expansion is a free addition. It adds new power-ups, a boss, and areas to explore. If you like Metroidvanias, Dandara is a must-play. Though I like the touchscreen controls, the controller support just makes this game even sweeter. You get a lot of game for just a few bucks, and it's worth adding to your library.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells was released on Android a while ago, and it's still very much recommendable. This game is one of the best indies of the last decade, mixing tough, brutal combat that many compare to Dark Souls with a rogue-like to ensure every death hurts. Each time you fail, you get back up again from your cell, start over, learn from your mistakes, and try to do better this time around.
Controller support comes standard, and it's the best way to play the game. The touchscreen controls are quite good but if we're honest, it's pretty hard to beat an external peripheral. You'll need all the help you can get to survive this game, and even with the controller, it's a brutal challenge. But that's the BEST part of Dead Cells.
Diablo Immortal
Enjoy hacking and slashing through demons, but want to be able to do it away from your PC or gaming console? Then it's time to grab Diablo Immortal.
This game is entirely free-to-play, and completely translated the experience of playing a Diablo game into a mobile experience. Naturally that means it is well suited to playing without a controller, using excellent touch controls, but what about if you want to use a controller to play more comfortably for longer periods of time? You're all set there, as Diablo Immortal supports a wide range of mobile controllers.
Doom & Doom II
Where do I even begin? I'm going to assume that you know about Doom and its sequel because even almost 30 years later, they're still instantly recognizable. The Android ports themselves are very good, with support for controllers and higher framerates for 90Hz and 120Hz displays.
For your money, you get all of the original content, which represents hours of intense gameplay. Both games have aged incredibly well and still play nicely with modern peripherals or touchscreen controls. The latter isn't too bad if I'm honest, but I definitely prefer a controller.
Do yourself a favor and pick up these gems of gaming history. They're great for everyone, even if you've never played them before. Veterans will feel right at home.
Evoland 2
Evoland 2 is one of those premium games for Android that you just don't want to put down. Initially released in 2015 on Steam, Evoland 2 is a fantastic sequel to the first Evoland and follows suit with graphics and gameplay that evolve as you progress through the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first game for Android, and one of my few criticisms of the game was that the story was a bit short. That's not the case with Evoland 2, which features over 20 hours of gameplay.
While the first game in the series explored the evolution of RPGs, Evoland 2 has expanded its nostalgic scope by incorporating even more gaming genres. It starts out as a pretty typical action RPG, but as you progress through the story, both the graphics and gameplay take dramatic shifts that work wonderfully to keep the game feeling fresh.
Evoland 2 will have you laughing as it constantly breaks the fourth wall, and there are more gaming and pop culture references than you can shake a stick at. This is another great game for fans of RPGs and video game culture and well worth the cost to play. Best of all, there's support for both Bluetooth controllers and Android TV, including the NVIDIA Shield TV.
GRID Autosport
There have been some great racing games released on Android, but few offer the depth of gameplay and brilliant graphics found in GRID Autosport. Developed by Feral Interactive, GRID offers the most authentic racing experience you can play on your mobile phone with full support for Bluetooth controllers.
GRID feels like a console-quality game for your phone, featuring console-quality graphics and realistic physics and vehicle damage. There are over 100 cars to drive with an equal number of tracks to burn rubber down. And it's not just circuit racing that's available. GRID features an incredible selection of race types across a wide range of disciplines — from open-wheel and touring circuits to street drag races and even chaotic demolition races.
There's a career mode available with great production value and pre-race animations that lets you rise from the ranks to become the best professional driver, but I'm partial to the great selection of one-off races that include a great mix of pure simulation races like endurance races and drag races along with arcade modes like eliminator races (where the racer in last place is eliminated each lap), checkpoint races where you're racing against the clock, and drift races where you earn points for pulling off smooth powerslides through each corner.
GRID Autosport gives you full control over all the settings so that you're never frustrated with it being too easy or too difficult. There's scalable difficulty that starts out with braking assists and other features for an easier and more arcade-style experience for casual gamers, or you can ramp up the difficulty and set things to simulation settings for fans yearning for a pure racing experience. The inclusion of Bluetooth controller support is just another reason why this is one of the absolute best racing games for Android and absolutely justifies the premium price.
Grimvalor
Talking about one of my favorite games on Android, Grimvalor is a superb action platformer with slick combat, beautiful visuals, and a general sense of intrigue that keeps you playing for hours on end. While the touchscreen controls are great and some of the best I've played with, they can't stand up to the precision of a controller.
If you like hack-and-slash games, then Grimvalor is one you have to try. The developers give you the first act for free to let you try it out, and then you can decide if you want to purchase the whole thing after that. As soon as I got through the 1-2 hour Act 1 freebie, I knew I had to buy the rest, and I haven't had a moment of regret since.
So pair up your controller and give Grimvalor a try; it doesn't cost you a thing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
LIMBO
Limbo is a classic in the indie genre, both for its visual and its creepiness — and it's a really creepy game. Arachnophobes may have a hard time here, but you'll find a fantastic side-scrolling adventure if you can push through your fear. It isn't too long either, a good and bad point depending on how you look at things.
Limbo is instantly recognizable with its shadowy, dark aesthetic and eerie atmosphere, that sees an unamed boy push through the darkness in search of his sister. Solving puzzles as you progress, the touchscreen controls are decent, but removing your thumbs from the screen and using a controller really enables you to keep an eye everything coming at you while searching for puzzle solutions. The developers give you the option to try things out for free first with a separate demo too, so you can see if it's your style of game before properly diving in.
Max Payne Mobile
Max Payne Mobile brings the award-winning classic to the palm of your hand at last! Thanks to full Bluetooth controller support, taking down enemies in that sweet, sweet bullet time feels better than ever. Max Payne is a cinematic action-shooter following the many exploits of Max Payne, a fugitive cop on the run from both the police and the mob.
Max is battling against the odds to clear his name and simultaneously uncover the truth about what really happened to his family. This story-driven epic, full of twists and turns, is bound to keep you glued to your screen for hours on end. It's also a pretty good deal at just $2.99.
Minecraft
I'm pretty sure you know what Minecraft is at this point. It's a cultural phenomenon, beloved the world over by gamers of all ages. It's an extremely robust game and popular for many good reasons, notably for its simplicity. Though many years old at this point, it's a game that's still going strong, and it doesn't show any signs of stopping.
Feature-rich and fully supported, the Android version of Minecraft is as complete as any other. It sports full cross-play with Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Switch, Windows 10, and iOS. It also gets the latest updates, so you can enjoy everything your friends on other platforms can.
You can unleash your creativity in Creative Mode or go hardcore in Survival Mode, where you're forced to delve deep for resources to craft protection. Minecraft truly is a mind-boggling game in its scope and execution. Plus, you get that oh-so-sweet controller support to make your gameplay better!
Oddmar
Oddmar is an excellent game from the developers of Leo's Fortune. Some diligent readers might recognize this as one of our longer-standing best games for Android. Its gamepad support, of course, means that it earns a spot here on this list.
You play as Oddmar, an exiled Viking who never quite lived up to his warrior ancestors. A magical fairy grants you special powers, and the rest is up to you. Overall, the level design is pretty linear but never feels stale, thanks to the excellent variety of enemies, unique obstacles, and some quick puzzles to solve.
Oddmar also supports cloud saves and achievements through Google Play Games. And, like Grimvalor, you get a free demo to try out before committing to the full game.
Riptide GP: Renegade
Harkening back to memories of games like Jet Moto or Wave Race 64, Riptide GP: Renegade features a story-driven career mode alongside options to run a quick race or battle against online opponents. The graphics are top-notch, with water and motion blur effects giving the game a good sense of speed.
There's plenty to unlock and upgrade as you play through the career mode, and the AI is excellent, providing a real challenge compared to other racing games. You can also pull off tricks that power up your boost for whipping past the competition down straightaways. While this game is several years old, it still looks and plays great on Android with full support for Bluetooth controllers.
Sky: Children of the Light
From the makers of Journey and Flower comes Sky: Children of the Light, a social adventure game set in a stunning open world. In Sky, you'll explore the seven realms of a once prosperous kingdom using an enchanted cape that allows you to fly. How far you can go depends on your cape's level, and players will be able to upgrade their gear and continue exploring further by encountering spirits and gaining "winged light" through helping them. The social aspects of Sky are strongly encouraged, and players are meant to make and play with friends to get the complete experience.
The graphics in Sky are truly gorgeous, and it would be a shame to cover that beauty up with your thumbs, so the controller support here is a welcome feature. There are also many unlockable and purchasable cosmetic items and various in-game currencies you'll need to collect them all.
Combined with a lovely soundtrack and solid gameplay loop, Sky: Children of the Light is easily one of the better mobile games available. If you've missed the boat on this one, it's not too late to jump in, spread your wings, and fly!
Sparklite
Originally released for consoles and PC back in 2019, Sparklite made its way to mobile devices with a port in late 2021. Taking inspiration from beloved titles like The Legend of Zelda, Sparklite is a charming action-adventure RPG with some roguelite elements sprinkled in for good measure.
Follow the story of Ada, a young Geodian woman on her quest to defeat the evil Baron. To take down this dark shadow threatening the land, Ada must descend from her floating town to battle the Baron's Titans down below. There are procedurally generated dungeons to explore, a solid arsenal of weapons to create, and some light puzzling aspects to mix up the combat loop.
Sparklite's control scheme was revamped for mobile, but the experience is still better with a Bluetooth controller, thanks to its console roots. The first mission is free as a demo, but if you want to keep playing after that, you'll need to fork over $6.99. It's definitely premium mobile pricing, but considering the quality and lengthy run time (8-10 hours to beat), it's a reasonable cost.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley needs little in the way of introduction. It's a farming sim with RPG elements and, though it might not be to everyone's liking, it's loved by many. It's a game meant to be calming, offering you the opportunity to create and grow your farm. There's plenty of busy work to do if that's your thing.
All told, Stardew Valley offers a lot for you to sink your time into. It's insanely popular, and this version features mobile-exclusive features like autosave, auto-select, and auto-attack to make it easier to play on a touchscreen. But this being a list of games that support gamepads, you'll be happy to know that Stardew Valley supports external controllers.
There's also new endgame content to keep you entertained, so while the price tag may seem steep for a mobile game, Stardew Valley is a great value.
Terraria
Another popular game that made its way to mobile, Terraria, is an open sandbox platformer focusing on exploration. The world is procedurally generated, so you'll have a different adventure every time. You get three basic tools to start, one for digging, one for combat, and one for cutting wood. Then, you go off on a relaxing adventure with some combat involved.
Otherwise, you'll explore and try to find resources, which can either be discovered in caves or dropped by enemies. Think Minecraft in 2D, with your time spent wandering, crafting, and building.
Terraria for Android was rebuilt from the ground up for mobile, including a new UI and controls, but it hasn't lost any of the charms that made it so popular. You get all of the same features as the PC version with the bonus of being able to play it anywhere.
Unkilled
Unkilled is another very polished first-person shooter that fully supports Bluetooth controllers and offers over 150 missions in the single-player campaign and multiple online multiplayer modes to choose from. You can select your preferred character class for online play and then upgrade your skills and weapon load-outs with points you collect as you play.
And again, using the Bluetooth controller should give you a distinct advantage against AI zombies and your online opponents. Simply sync your controller with your phone, and it'll automatically work when you load up the game.
Vampire Survivors
If you've heard of Vampire Survivors, you'll soon understand what the hype is all about. Developer Poncle created a deceptively simple game, because the controls are easy to understand: You just move your character.
As your character is moved around the screen, they'll automatically attack the scourge of monsters that try to get you, from demonic plants and zombies to witches and werewolves. Surviving long enough will net you special upgrades like powerful combination attacks, while gold you earn can be spent on new characters and permanent unlocks between games.
Vampire Survivors supports touch controls, but it also supports game controllers, so if you prefer to play with your favorite bluetooth controller, there's nothing stopping you! It's incredibly easy to start, but extremely hard to master, and you can download it for free right now. Despite being free, there's no catch! While you can watch some ads for additional gold or revives, there are no microtransactions, making this an absolute must-play.
Wreckfest
The second impeccable racing game on this list and one of the better mobile ports available, Wreckfest is an underrated gem that every fan of the genre should play. Featuring hyper-realistic damage physics that translate surprisingly well to the mobile version, the game features multiple modes and race types, as well as a demolition derby mode that you can easily lose hours to.
A controller is definitely the way to go on this title, as the touch button layout could be better. Luckily, the game works extremely well using a controller, and its demolition spin on the standard racing formula means its one of the most engaging racers out there.
Grab a controller and get playing
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While there are many games available nowadays using touch controls, few support the best Bluetooth Android controllers out there. It's of increasing importance to mobile gamers though, with increasingly busy touchscreen UI's making controllers more and more essential as mobile games get more complex.
The likes of Call of Duty Mobile, Minecraft and Dead Cells all offer a superior way to play, with seamless controller support allowing you to get the most out of these top tier mobile experiences. You might recognize some of these games from the best Android games roundup, and for good reason. While the overall list of Android games with controller support is low, there is still something for everyone here, and these games are also great in their own right.
