Best PS5 Controller Game Picks for Every Player
Got a PS5 controller but not sure which games really show off what it can do? You're in the right place. The DualSense isn't just another gamepad - it's got some seriously cool tech that makes certain games way more fun. We've tested tons of ps5 controller games. Some games barely use the controller's features. Others make you feel like you're actually inside the game.
Here's what actually works and why you should care.
Why Your Controller Choice Matters
The DualSense controller does things other controllers can't. Those adaptive triggers actually push back when you pull them. The haptic feedback makes you feel rain, footsteps, different surfaces.
Most games don't use these features at all. They just treat your PS5 controller like any other gamepad. That's fine, but you're missing out.
The games we picked here actually make your controller work for its money. You'll feel the difference immediately.
Action Games That Actually Use Your Controller
Spider-Man Miles Morales nails the web-swinging feeling. Each web shot has different trigger resistance depending on what you're swinging from. Buildings feel different than lamp posts. Really different.
The haptic feedback changes when you're wall-crawling versus air-swinging. Your hands know what Spider-Man is touching without looking at the screen.
Returnal uses haptic feedback for everything. Different aliens make different vibration patterns when they move around you. Rain feels like actual raindrops hitting your palms.
The adaptive triggers change how weapons feel. Pistols have light trigger pulls. Heavy weapons fight back against your finger. Makes weapon choice feel more important.
Racing Games Worth Your Time
Gran Turismo 7 transforms racing completely with proper controller support. Road surfaces feel different through the haptics. Smooth asphalt, rough concrete, gravel - your hands know immediately.
Brake pressure matters more when the triggers actually resist. You can feel when tires start losing grip through subtle controller feedback. One of the best ps5 controller game for sure.
Dirt 5 does similar things but focuses more on off-road racing. Mud feels squishy. Sand feels gritty. Ice feels slippery and unpredictable. These aren't just gimmicks. The feedback actually helps you drive better once you get used to it.
Shooting Games That Feel Real
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II uses adaptive triggers differently for each weapon type. Sniper rifles have long, heavy trigger pulls. SMGs feel light and quick.
Jammed weapons actually jam your trigger too. You feel the gun malfunction before you see it happen on screen.
Resident Evil 4 makes each weapon feel unique. Shotguns have serious kickback through the haptics. Handguns feel precise and controlled.
Reload mechanics change too. Different magazines click into place with different haptic patterns.
Adventure Games Worth Playing
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut uses wind effects through haptic feedback. You feel wind direction changes that help with navigation.
Sword combat has different feedback for different types of hits. Clean cuts feel different than blocked attacks.
Horizon Forbidden West makes bow shooting feel incredible. Drawing arrows back creates real trigger resistance. Heavier arrows need more force to pull.
Different bow types feel completely different in your hands. Precision bows versus heavy bows have totally different trigger characteristics.
Sports Games That Work
FIFA 23 uses haptic feedback for ball contact. Headers feel different than foot kicks. Hard shots versus soft passes have distinct controller responses.
Running on different field surfaces changes the background haptic pattern slightly. Wet fields feel different than dry ones.
NBA 2K23 makes dribbling feel more realistic through subtle haptic changes. Different dribble moves create different vibration patterns.
Shooting mechanics use adaptive triggers for shot release timing. Free throws feel different than three-pointers.
Puzzle and Indie Games
Astro's Playroom comes free with every PS5 and shows off everything the controller can do. It's basically a tech demo but actually fun to play.
Different surfaces make distinct sounds through the controller speaker. Glass, metal, sand - each one sounds and feels different.
Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart uses haptic feedback for dimensional rifts. You feel the universe tearing apart in your hands.
Weapon variety gets enhanced by adaptive trigger differences. Each gun feels mechanically different.
What Makes These Games Special
Good controller implementation isn't just about vibration intensity. It's about meaningful feedback that helps gameplay.
The best games use haptics to give you information you can't get from the screen. Surface types, weapon condition, environmental changes.
Adaptive triggers work best when they simulate real mechanical systems. Gun triggers, car pedals, bow strings - things that naturally have variable resistance.
Games That Waste Your Controller
Lots of popular games barely use PS5 controller features. Fortnite, Apex Legends, most older games ported to PS5.
These games still play fine with a DualSense. You just don't get the special features that make the controller worth having.
Nothing wrong with playing them. Just don't expect your controller to do anything special.
Performance Tips
Some controller features drain battery faster. Haptic feedback uses more power than simple rumble.
Turn down haptic intensity in PS5 system settings if your battery dies too quickly during long gaming sessions.
Adaptive trigger resistance can be adjusted per game usually. Check individual game settings if triggers feel too stiff or too loose.
When Controllers Need Fixing
Heavy controller use wears things out faster. Adaptive triggers can break from aggressive gaming or accidental drops.
Haptic motors sometimes develop problems that make feedback feel wrong or stop working entirely.
Gadget Surgery sees these exact problems regularly. Adaptive trigger repairs are pretty common now that these controllers have been out longer.
We fix trigger mechanisms, haptic motor replacements, and general wear issues. Most controller problems are fixable if you catch them early.
Our repair process focuses on getting your controller back to original performance levels. We don't just make things work - we make them work right.
Finding More Great Games
New games add PS5 controller support regularly. Check game reviews and descriptions for mentions of haptic feedback or adaptive triggers.
PlayStation Store has a section for games that support PS5 features specifically. Worth browsing if you want controller-optimized games.
Developer blogs sometimes explain how they use controller features. Reading these gives you ideas about what to look for in games.
Making the Most of What You Have
Even games without special PS5 features can benefit from the DualSense's precise controls and comfortable design.
The controller works great for any game that needs accurate analog stick control. Racing, flying, third-person action - all feel better with quality hardware.
Battery life stays decent even with haptic features enabled. Plan for 6-8 hours of gaming per charge depending on game requirements.
Your PS5 controller can do amazing things with the right games. Don't settle for titles that ignore its best features.
Start with Astro's Playroom since it's free and shows everything off. Then try whatever genre appeals to you from our list above.
Once you experience proper haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, regular controllers feel pretty boring in comparison.
Top-Rated PS5 Controller Game Options to Try
When you pick up a PS5 DualSense controller, you instantly realize it’s not just another gamepad. The adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and built-in speaker all add a new layer of immersion that most controllers don’t even come close to.
But here’s the thing: not every game out there makes full use of these features. Some titles barely scratch the surface, while others turn the DualSense into a whole different experience.
If you’re wondering what games are actually worth trying with the PS5 controller — the ones that really show off what it can do — we’ve put together a list of top-rated PS5 controller game options that stand out.
Astro’s Playroom – The Perfect Showcase
You can’t talk about PS5 controller magic without mentioning Astro’s Playroom. It’s free, pre-installed, and basically a love letter to the DualSense. The adaptive triggers, the tiny rumble sensations that mimic different surfaces, the microphone interaction — it’s all here.
Even if you’re not into platformers, it’s a must-play ps5 controller game because it shows you exactly what the controller is capable of. Think of it as a tech demo but wrapped in a surprisingly fun little adventure.
Returnal – Tension You Can Feel
If you want a game where the adaptive triggers truly change gameplay, Returnal is the one. The left trigger has two stages: a half-press to aim, a full press to activate your alt-fire. The resistance is so natural that after a while you stop thinking about it.
Add in the subtle but constant haptics that match the alien environment — raindrops, hostile enemies, gunfire — and you’ve got a title that feels different when played with DualSense compared to any other controller.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Pure Fun
This one is a no-brainer. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is colorful, fast-paced, and crammed with clever use of haptics. Every weapon feels unique because the triggers adapt differently depending on what you’re firing.
A heavy blaster feels weighty, while the lighter weapons give you quick, responsive clicks. Add in the smooth feedback from explosions and gadget use, and it’s one of those games that feels tailor-made for the controller.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II – Grit and Realism
You don’t usually think of shooters as controller showcases, but the Call of Duty franchise really stepped up with DualSense integration. Every weapon has its own trigger tension, mimicking recoil and firing style.
Pulling the trigger on a sniper feels vastly different from an SMG, and the haptic feedback follows through with explosive detail. It gives the game a grounded realism that’s rare in shooters. If you want intensity, this is the one to try.
Gran Turismo 7 – Driving With Resistance
Racing fans — this is your playground. Gran Turismo 7 makes use of the triggers in a way that actually impacts performance. You feel the resistance as you brake hard or accelerate on tricky tracks.
The rumble conveys the surface of the road, whether you’re skidding across gravel, gliding over tarmac, or hitting puddles in the rain. It’s less about flashy gimmicks and more about realism. When combined with visuals and audio, the DualSense helps turn a race into something that feels tactile.
Horizon Forbidden West – A World Alive in Your Hands
In Horizon Forbidden West, it’s all about immersion. Drawing Aloy’s bow requires tension, and the triggers make you feel the string tightening. The haptic feedback gives life to the environment: the crunch of grass underfoot, the clash of machines, even subtle weather effects.
It’s not overdone but balanced, and that makes the game world feel rich and believable. If you want a cinematic adventure that makes smart use of the controller, this one is worth your time.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Swing With Style
There’s something incredibly satisfying about swinging through New York as Miles Morales, and the DualSense adds to it. Every swing, every web shot has subtle trigger resistance. When combat kicks in, the controller vibrates in sync with punches, gadgets, and finishers.
The game feels smoother and more dynamic because of these touches. If you loved the first Spider-Man, this follow-up takes advantage of the PS5 hardware and controller much better.
Resident Evil Village – Horror With Weight
Horror games hit differently when the controller itself keeps you on edge. In Resident Evil Village, the DualSense doesn’t just vibrate for gunshots — it makes reloading, aiming, and even blocking feel heavier.
The adaptive triggers resist in ways that match the weapon you’re holding, which ramps up the tension when you’re cornered. Every sound and rumble works to draw you deeper into that unsettling atmosphere.
NBA 2K23 – Sports With Subtle Feedback
Sports fans aren’t left out. In NBA 2K23, the triggers simulate fatigue — as your players tire, sprinting becomes harder, and the resistance reflects it. It’s a clever little touch that makes stamina management feel more realistic.
The haptics also add texture to the court — the bounce of the ball, the rim shaking after a dunk — small details, but ones that make the whole thing feel less like a game and more like a live match.
Demon’s Souls – Old School Meets New Tech
This remake of a classic shows how to blend old gameplay with new hardware. The haptics let you feel each sword clash, every blocked hit, and the eerie hum of the environment. Boss fights are more intense because the controller mirrors the chaos on screen.
For fans of the original or anyone new to the series, it’s a perfect example of how the DualSense enhances gameplay without changing the soul of the game.
Why These Games Stand Out
It’s not that other PS5 games ignore the controller, but the ones above push things further. Some lean into immersion, others use haptics and triggers as actual gameplay mechanics.
What ties them all together is how they make the DualSense feel like more than a controller — it’s part of the storytelling, part of the tension, part of the fun.
Conclusion – Gaming Feels Different Here
The DualSense isn’t a gimmick. It’s one of the biggest reasons people say next-gen gaming feels different. When paired with the right ps5 controller game, it transforms the experience from “just playing” into something more physical and immersive.
If you haven’t tried these titles yet, you’re missing out on what the PS5 was really designed to showcase.
And remember, at Gadget Surgery, we know how much these experiences matter. When your controller stops responding, when triggers feel loose, or when your console refuses to cooperate, that’s where we step in.
Our job is to keep you playing without the frustration of broken gear. Whether it’s the DualSense itself, your PS5 console, PS5 controller game or another gaming essential, our repair services are built around getting you back into the action — quickly, reliably, and without hidden surprises.