Summary

  • PC gaming dominates is the best 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.

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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 November 27, 2024, by Gerardo Molina: A few years ago, the possibility of pairing a mouse and keyboard to a gaming console was not even on the table. Luckily, in the last few years, there have been many considerable advancements in technology and more developers are starting to support a mouse and keyboard on the console versions of their titles.

While there's still a long way to go before this is an option for every title that might benefit from these devices, the market is slowly expanding, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the majority of titles offer such a feature in the near future.

21 Apex Legends

A Fun Competitive Game With Tons Of Options

Apex Legends
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Battle Royale
First-Person Shooter
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Released
February 4, 2019
Developer(s)
Respawn Entertainment
Genre(s)
Battle Royale, First-Person Shooter

Released in 2019, Apex Legends offers players a wonderful battle royale experience that features multiple heroes and tons of possibilities. The game is free-to-play and is constantly being updated with patches, new features and many other elements that keep breathing new life into the title. Squads are made up of three players, each with their own distinctive abilities, and there's no shortage of options when it comes to the choices at players' disposal.

Unlike a few other PS5 titles, Apex Legends offers mouse and keyboard input options that allow players to have much more control over their movement, their aim, and their overall gaming experience. While this option might leave controller users at a disadvantage, anyone can hop into the mouse and keyboard train at any time, so it's not like it's restricted to some and open to others.

20 Hell Let Loose

A Competitive FPS Where Accuracy Ensures That Bullets Aren't Wasted

Hell Let Loose
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First-Person Shooter
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Released
July 27, 2021
Developer(s)
Black Matter
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

Tactical FPS games can be a joy to play through once players get over the steep learning curve. One such title that has a decent player base is Hell Let Loose, a PS5 game that supports a keyboard and mouse. Suffice it to say, players who want to ensure that their shots aren't wasted in a realistic military shooter would prefer using a mouse to target their enemies.

Of course, accuracy is just one of the many pillars of gameplay that players must master in Hell Let Loose. Teamwork and tactics are downright necessary to ensure that one side of the war attains victory in gruelling matches where a single mistake can lead to a violent death in no time. Players used to FPS games that let them become a one-man army will be in for a rude awakening after a single match in Hell Let Loose.

19 Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

The First-Person Perspective Makes Mouselook A Better Way To Play The Game

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora
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Action-Adventure
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Released
December 7, 2023
Developer(s)
Massive Entertainment
Genre(s)
Action-Adventure

The hype for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora seemingly died out from the very moment this game was released, which is a shame since there are many positives about this experience that deserve to be highlighted. The amazing biomes and varied flora make this game one of the most beautiful PS5 games that support keyboard and mouse too.

This means that players who are adamant about playing an FPS game using the mouse will find Frontiers of Pandora to be right up their alley, even if the only platform they can play this game on is the PS5. The act of liberating zones may be slightly tiresome, but players who don't mind this uninspired gameplay loop all that much will find a ton of things to love about this beautiful Avatar game.

The game's premise is really interesting, which makes it unfortunate that it never really caught players' attention. Set in 2146, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora tells a story that begins eight years before Jake Sully arrives at the thriving planet. Throughout the game, players will discover the many secrets Pandora holds, and get a chance to explore the lively world from a non-movie perspective.

18 Sea Of Thieves

Feels Smoother To Play With A Mouse And Keyboard

Sea of Thieves
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Released
March 20, 2018
Developer(s)
Rare
Genre(s)
Adventure

Xbox's recent position to release their published games on all consoles instead of making them Xbox exclusives is certainly an interesting business strategy. Only time will tell whether this endeavor will be a fruitful one, and the fact that people can play games like Sea of Thieves on the PS5 is certainly mind-blowing and not something players expected in this generation.

The act of roaming the seas as a pirate to find loot and engaging in naval battles with others makes for a great time, with the first-person perspective of this PS5 game making mouse and keyboard a better control option for many. It's a small inclusion but something that players will appreciate if the idea of moving around in this title with a controller isn't the most appealing thing in the world.

17 Call Of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
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First-Person Shooter
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Released
November 13, 2020
Developer(s)
Raven Software, Treyarch
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

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.

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Players more used to aiming accurately with a mouse will love this simple change of controls, letting them take headshots from long distances with striking accuracy. It's a simple and great way to enhance the gameplay of this title considerably. Set in the early 1980s, right in the middle of the Cold War and its geopolitical implications, the game offers players a captivating story where the stakes always feel high, and the adrenaline-rushing moments are present at all times. Although this title isn't the best in the Call of Duty franchise, it's still really fun to play

16 Quake

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

Quake
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First-Person Shooter
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Released
May 22, 1996
Developer(s)
id Software
Platform(s)
PC, Switch, Nintendo 64, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Sega Saturn
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

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 (2023)

Mowing Down Other Players With Accurate Mouse Aim Is Extremely Satisfying

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III
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First-Person Shooter
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Released
November 10, 2023
Developer(s)
Sledgehammer Games
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

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
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Released
May 16, 2011
Developer(s)
Re-Logic
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure, Sandbox

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.

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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

Paladins: Champions of the Realm
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Released
September 16, 2016
Developer(s)
Evil Mojo Games
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Genre(s)
FPS

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

Deep Rock Galactic
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Released
May 13, 2020
Developer(s)
Ghost Ship Games
Genre(s)
FPS

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.