Want to dive into a game without the limits of a touchscreen? A controller changes everything. It adds precision, comfort, and a whole new level of fun to your gameplay.

Here’s a lineup of the 20 best iOS games in 2026 that fully support gamepads. From old-school arcades to high-speed racers, every genre is here and ready to play with a controller.

Can you connect a controller to your phone?

Absolutely. Pairing a gamepad with your phone is quick and painless thanks to modern tech. You’re no longer tied to a console — now you can enjoy console-style comfort right on your phone. With built-in support and simple pairing, it’s as easy as turning on your controller, connecting, and jumping into the action. Find one that works with your device, and you’re good to go.

Asphalt 9: Legends

• Publisher: Gameloft
• Available on: iOS + Android + Switch
• Genre: Arcade, Multiplayer, Racing
• Download: App Store

Among the countless mobile racing games, Asphalt 9 bursts ahead with heart-pounding action and pure adrenaline. Developed by Gameloft, this ninth entry in the Asphalt series has hooked millions of players on iOS and Android.

Why does Asphalt 9 stay at the top? Maybe it’s the insane variety of cars — from everyday rides to jaw-dropping hypercars — catering to every kind of racer. But the real hook is the raw sense of speed that keeps you coming back for just one more race… and then another.

Call of Duty Mobile

• Developer: Tencent
• Publisher: Activision Blizzard
• Available on: iOS + Android
• Genre: Shooter
• Download: App Store

This FPS giant needs no introduction. Since launch, Call of Duty Mobile has stayed among the top shooters year after year, giving rivals a serious challenge. Esports tournaments have only boosted its global appeal, drawing in players hungry for competition.

Controls feel smooth and intuitive, and there’s full support for gamepads. Pair it with a vibration-enabled controller, and every firefight hits harder. With recent updates, Call of Duty Mobile cranked up the action even more, letting players feel every explosion and bullet in real time.

Life is Strange

• Developer: Don’t Nod
• Available on: iOS + Android
• Genre: Adventure
• Download: App Store

Life is Strange isn’t just a game — it’s an emotional journey. Across five gripping episodes, your choices shape the fate of an entire town.

The twist? You can manipulate time itself. Change the past, rewrite the future, and uncover hidden storylines that hit hard. Even better, Life is Strange supports a wide range of iOS devices and gamepads, so you can sink into this unforgettable adventure anywhere you are.

Shadowgun Legends

• Publisher: Madfinger Games
• Available on: iOS, Android
• Genre: Multiplayer, Shooter
• Download: App Store

Shadowgun Legends is a first-person shooter packed with jaw-dropping visuals and intense action. Jump into a full multiplayer experience or tackle a story-driven solo campaign.

The social hub keeps you connected with other players, whether you’re teaming up for missions or just hanging out. With controller support, every firefight feels smooth and responsive.

From powerful weapons and rugged armor to flashy cosmetics, you’ve got everything you need to build your perfect warrior and dominate in co-op battles.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition

• Developer: Rockstar Games
• Available on: iOS, Android, Xperia Play, Steam
• Genre: Action, Adult, Adventure, Conversion
• Download: App Store

GTA Vice City has made its grand entrance onto mobile, bringing back the sun-soaked chaos of Tommy Vercetti’s adventures. Released for the game’s 10th anniversary, this edition is optimized for mobile with controller support, giving you tighter, more precise controls.

For long-time fans, it’s like stepping back onto those familiar neon streets — only now you can carry them around in your pocket.

Bike Baron 2

• Developer: Cornfox & Bros.
• Available on: iOS, Android
• Genre: Racing
• Download: App Store

If speed runs in your veins, Bike Baron 2 will push your skills to the limit. With hundreds of challenging levels, it’s all about mastering control and precision.

You can design your own custom tracks, tweaking every curve and jump to match your style. Then, throw down the gauntlet to friends and rivals, climbing the leaderboards to claim the top spot.

Jetpack Joyride

• Developer: Halfbrick Studios
• Publisher: Halfbrick Studios
• Available on: iOS, Android, Facebook, PSP, PS Vita
• Genre: Action, Arcade, Endless Runner
• Download: App Store

Jetpack Joyride is more thrilling than ever, now with full controller support for seamless gameplay. The Apple Arcade edition, Jetpack Joyride+, adds even more fun to the mix.

Strap on your jetpack, dodge hazards, and blast through endless challenges with maximum comfort and control. The sky’s the limit — literally.

Teacup

• Available on: iOS, Android, Steam, Switch
• Genre: Adventure
• Download: App Store

Teacup has a quiet charm that’s hard to resist. Forget the usual adventure tropes — here, your mission is to host the perfect tea party. The catch? You need to gather all the ingredients first. Your journey will take you across a colorful town, where you’ll meet quirky locals and help them with their own little problems.

It’s a short experience, barely an hour long, but it’s warm, cozy, and surprisingly engaging. Wander through Teacup’s world, soak up its gentle atmosphere, and let yourself enjoy the ride.

Dead Trigger 2

• Developer: Madfinger Games
• Publisher: Madfinger Games
• Available on: iOS, Android
• Genre: Action, Shooter
• Download: App Store

Zombies, chaos, and pure adrenaline — that’s Dead Trigger 2 in a nutshell. This zombie FPS drops you right into a world overrun by the undead, where survival isn’t enough — you’re here to fight back.

The interactive menu lets you tweak the controls to your liking. With more than 600 apocalyptic scenarios and over 30 types of weapons, you’ll be armed and ready for whatever nightmare shuffles your way.

Minecraft — Pocket Edition

• Developer: Mojang
• Publisher: Mojang
• Available on: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Xperia Play
• Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
• Download: App Store

Minecraft is more than just a game — it’s an entire universe built from your imagination. Its fanbase keeps growing, drawing in players of all ages from every corner of the globe. Here, there are no strict rules or limits — only freedom and creativity.

Every block you place, every world you shape, is yours. Minecraft is the kind of adventure that never ends, because the boundaries are only the ones you set yourself.

Among Us

• Developer: InnerSloth
• Publisher: InnerSloth
• Available on: iOS, Android, Steam
• Genre: Multiplayer, Strategy
• Download: App Store

Among Us isn’t just a game — it’s a global phenomenon. With its simple setup and friendly design, it spread like wildfire, but behind that simplicity lies a clever mix of strategy and social deduction.

At first, there was just one map and local multiplayer. But the developers kept going, adding more features with each update. Now there’s controller support, console releases, new maps, and extra content that keeps the game feeling fresh.

These updates open the door to bigger and better ways to play. Enjoy Among Us on a larger screen, share the fun with friends on the same device, and dive into the chaos of its ever-growing universe.

Sky: Children of the Light

• Available on: iOS, Android, Switch
• Genre: Adventure
• Download: App Store

Sky: Children of the Light drops you into a breathtaking, mysterious world brimming with secrets to uncover. Glide through its dreamy landscapes, take on thrilling quests, and connect with other players as you dive into their unspoken stories.

With deep character customization and cooperative gameplay, you can shape your own unforgettable journey. Gather your friends before venturing into the uncharted darkness — you’ll need them.

Dead Cells

• Developer: Motion Twin
• Publisher: Motion Twin
• Available on: iOS, Android, Steam, Switch
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Download: App Store

Dead Cells puts you in the shoes of a failed experiment, fighting your way through a sprawling, ever-changing castle. Every battle reshapes the world — levels shift, themes change, and your best run becomes the new challenge to beat.

Randomized weapons and loot keep every playthrough fresh, making the game a constant cycle of discovery and survival. No two runs are ever the same, and that’s the beauty of it.

Death Road to Canada

• Developer: Madgarden
• Publisher: RocketCat Games
• Available on: iOS, Android
• Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
• Download: App Store

If you crave zombies, action, and pixel art all in one, Death Road to Canada delivers. Blast your way across the United States toward the safety of Canada, dodging relentless zombie hordes along the way.

The further you get, the tougher it becomes — yet this indie roguelike is one of the most rewarding out there. Controller support only sweetens the deal for those who want to take the chaos up a notch.

Madden NFL 24 Mobile Football

• Available on: iOS, Android
• Genre: Sports
• Download: App Store

EA brings the gridiron to your fingertips with Madden NFL 24 Mobile Football. Build your player, step onto the field, and work your way from rookie to superstar. Recruit the best athletes, level up your skills, and chase championship glory.

You’re not just a player — you’re the coach. Manage your dream team, make trades, craft winning strategies, and lead them to victory.

Cross-play support lets you pick up where you left off, no matter which device you’re on. And for iOS fans, full controller compatibility means the game feels even closer to the real thing.

Brotato

• Available on: iOS + Android
• Genre: Action, Shooter, Strategy
• Download: App Store

Brotato isn’t just fun — it’s pure, chaotic mayhem. Picture a top-down bullet hell where swarms of enemies rush you from every direction, and your only job is to survive. You can wield up to six different weapons at once, stack upgrades, and tweak your stats to push your survival time to the limit. Built with controller support in mind, Brotato feels right at home in your hands.

Brawlhalla

• Publisher: Blue Mammoth Games
• Available on: iOS + Android + Switch
• Genre: Action, Multiplayer
• Download: App Store

This fast-paced brawler lets you pick your fighter and dive into all-out battles against players from around the globe. With a controller, the action feels even tighter and more responsive. The bright 2D visuals nod to classics like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, but Brawlhalla keeps things light, accessible, and fun for all skill levels.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

• Publisher: Konami
• Available on: iOS + Android
• Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
• Download: App Store

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is Konami’s legendary gothic adventure that puts you in the boots of Alucard. Explore Dracula’s sprawling castle, slash your way through monsters, and uncover the path to freedom. This is a true JRPG classic, and with a controller, it delivers a rush of nostalgia straight from the SEGA and PlayStation days.

Oddmar

• Publisher: Senri
• Available on: iOS + Android
• Genre: Adventure, Platformer
• Download: App Store

Oddmar is more than another Viking platformer. Every scene moves the story forward, pulling you deeper into its charming yet surprising world. Behind its colorful style lies a heartfelt tale, with gameplay moments that wink at classics like Super Mario. It’s the kind of platforming adventure that hooks you from the first jump.

The Wolf Among Us

• Publisher: Telltale Games
• Available on: iOS + Android + PS Vita + Steam
• Genre: Adventure
• Download: App Store

In The Wolf Among Us, you step into the role of Bigby Wolf — yes, the same wolf from Little Red Riding Hood — now reimagined as a gritty detective. You’ll investigate dark mysteries, make tough calls, and live with the consequences. Every choice matters, and mistakes are part of the ride. New to Telltale games? Start here. The first episode is free, and it’s well worth your time.

Your turn, gamers — what’s your go-to controller-friendly game? Drop your favorites in the comments!