Choosing Games

Choosing the right game is important when using/getting started with an adaptive controller. Some controllers may be more difficult to use to play certain types of games. For example, if using the Xbox Adaptive Controller, it may be difficult to play fast paced games with many controls, such as first-person shooter games unless adequate accessibility settings are available. For those starting with the Quadstick controller, it is reasonable to work up to more complex games, but it is better to start with simpler games when beginning with the controller. Games lie on a spectrum of difficulty and each user may have a different starting point. Different games will also vary with which accessibility settings are present. Some general things to keep in mind when choosing the most appropriate game for an adaptive gaming set up are:

1) How many buttons and joysticks are required to play the game?

2) Is the game dependent on the user’s speed of accessing the controls?

3) How complex is the gameplay and can the difficulty be adequately adjusted?

4) Are there any accessibility settings available in the game?

Below is a guide for classifying games based on difficulty with examples of games in each category. The difficulty of games doesn’t necessarily mean that they are easier or harder games to play in general, just that they are easier or harder to play using an adaptive controller.

Please see our Other Educational Resources page for additional help finding accessible games and enabling accessibility settings.

Finding Games

Family Gaming Database has a great tool called the Game Finder that can help gamers identify games that meet their interests, needs, and goals. The Advanced Game Finder allows players to select various features such as the platform, play style, genre, and accessibility needs for games and it will provide an individualized list of recommendations. To use the tool, click on Advanced Game Finder and then click through the options to get a customized list of game recommendations

  • Easy Games

    Easy games to play using adaptive controllers typically include games that require one joystick and only a few buttons to play. In addition, these games typically are not as dependent on the speed of the user. Many Nintendo Switch games are easy games as they do not require many controls. There are some options for easy games on Xbox and PlayStation, but they are typically more difficult to find on these consoles.

  • Intermediate Games

    Intermediate games are either single joystick games that are faster paced and require more controls, or some of the slower paced two joystick games. Many of these games are a good transition point for users interested in playing some of the more difficult games.

  • Hard Games

    Hard games require multiple joysticks and switches to play, and are fast paced (first person shooter games). If a user is interested in playing a first-person shooter game, it’s a good idea to start with an easier first-person shooter game (e.g. Star Wars Battlefront 2). Start at an easier difficulty level and then gradually increase over time as the user becomes more proficient with the controller. Never start with online play, as this will only cause frustration while being introduced to adaptive controller since the level of difficulty in the game cannot be adjusted.

  • Accessible Games

    Some games have built-in accessibility features that allow users to adjust in in-game settings to make gameplay easier with an adaptive controller. The Accessible Games Database has a list of games sorted by their built-in accessibility features and a site that reviews games based on accessibility is Can I Play That?. For specific consoles, including Xbox and PlayStation, Accessibility Tags for games can be listed which allows gamers to filter games based on the accessibility features available in the game.

Examples of Easy Games

Examples of Intermediate Games

Examples of Hard Games

Examples of Accessible Games

  • Super Mario Kart World

    The motor accessibility settings in the game include options to turn Smart Steering, Auto-Accelerate, Auto-Use Item, and Tilt Controls on or off.

    Accessibility Settings

  • FC 26

    The motor accessibility settings in the game include simplified control schemes, full button remapping for gameplay and menu navigation, an option for Simplified Skill Moves to replace complex inputs, and settings to adjust controller vibration.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Gears 5

    The motor accessibility settings in the game include options to help with aiming, controller input, and button presses, such as Target Lock, Single Stick Movement, Swap Sticks While Aimed, Face Trigger Control Scheme, Aim Toggle, customizable Controller Remapping, replacing quick Button Tap Challenges with a hold, and turning off Controller Vibration.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Battlefield 6

    The motor accessibility settings in the game allow for deep control remapping for all actions, a Holds to Toggles submenu to eliminate holding buttons for many actions, and granular Aim Assist options.

    Accessibility Settings

  • The Last of Us: Part II

    The motor accessibility preset in the game configures settings like Lock-On Aim (Auto-Target), Auto Weapon Swap, Auto Pick Up, Navigation and Traversal Assistance, and changing repeated button presses to a hold.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

    The motor accessibility settings in the game offer options for customizing control shortcuts, slowing down the game speed, and providing toggles for fire mode, aiming, and swinging to reduce button-holding and rapid presses.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Celeste

    The motor accessibility settings in the game allow players to adjust the game speed, enable Infinite Stamina, grant multiple or Infinite Air Dashes, provide Dash Assist for precision, and turn on Invincibility to reduce the need for precise, fast, and repetitive inputs.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Assassin's Creed Shadows

    The motor accessibility settings in the game include full control customization, adjustable controller sensitivity and deadzones, aim assist, auto-movement, and options to set quick-time events (QTEs) to simplified or automatically complete.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Doom: The Dark Ages

    The motor accessibility settings in the game include full control remapping, a Game Speed adjuster, toggle options to replace hold actions for Dragon Lock-On, Shield Block, and UI Actions, and Enhanced Targeting to provide aiming forgiveness.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Spiderman 2

    The motor accessibility settings in the game offer a Motor Preset that provides toggle options to replace holding buttons, allows for continuous actions like dodging, changes repeated button presses to a hold, includes game speed adjustments, and offers assists for combat, traversal, and puzzles.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Indiana Jones & The Great Circle

    The motor accessibility settings in the game provide options for full control remapping on controller and keyboard, toggle controls to replace many hold actions, adjustable deadzones for thumbsticks and triggers, and aim assistance with adjustable strength.

    Accessibility Settings

  • Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

    The motor accessibility settings in the game include options for customizing all controls, enabling aim assist and melee targeting assist, and turning on Auto Unfreeze to replace button mashing.

    Accessibility Settings

  • God of War Ragnarok

    The Motor Accessibility Preset in the game adjusts settings like puzzle timing and aim assist, menu holds, repeated button presses, sprint/mini-game style, and toggle options for aiming and blocking to accommodate players with physical or mobility disabilities.

    Accessibility Settings