Gaming is simply better with a controller in your hands.
Gaming on Android typically requires you to settle for using touchscreen controls. However, some gracious game developers do take the time and effort to include support for Bluetooth gamepad. So, to save you some time, we've compiled some of the best games that support Bluetooth controllers. And if you're looking for a quality Bluetooth controller recommendation, consider the SteelSeries Stratus XL or Razer Raiju Mobile, which is the controller I used to vet these selections.
We'd also recommend getting a Style Ring or Pop Socket to help prop your phone up at a good angle for gaming.
Check out the Best Android Games of 2019
- Tesla vs Lovecraft
- Evoland 2
- Horizon Chase World Tour
- Riptide GP: Renegade
- Modern Combat 5: Blackout
- GTA: San Andreas
- Oceanhorn
- Unkilled
- Sega Forever titles
- Skate Party 3
- Only One
- Pew Pew
- Bomb Squad
- Emulators
Tesla Vs Lovecraft
Tesla vs Lovecraft is an intense top-down twin-stick shooter that plays well enough just on your phone but really shines with a Bluetooth controller in hand. You play as Nikolai Tesla who is feuding with H.P. Lovecraft who, as it happens, has figured out how to open up portals to release grotesque occult monsters upon the world.
Fortunately, Tesla has a huge collection of upgradeable weapons which include standard fare like pistols, machine guns, and shotguns to more futuristic weaponry from Tesla's personal armory including the pièce de résistance — a Tesla mech suit that can cut through waves of enemies in seconds. Weapons spawn randomly around the level and you need to collect all five pieces of the mech suit before it becomes available to you for a brief amount of time.
Each level takes place in a closed arena where monsters spawn at random, and your goal is to take out all the monsters and destroy any Cthulu spawning pools that pop up. There are also boss levels peppered in that feature a gigantic that needs to be destroyed along with the endless swarms of other monsters. Those levels are particularly challenging and you'll need to make good use of the Perks you unlock by collecting XP.
That's where the game makes wonderful use of rogue-like elements which ensure that each playthrough of a level is unique. As you shoot at enemies you collect XP. Fill your XP bar and you're able to unlock a new Perk, which is typically some sort of character or weapon upgrade that will help you to survive longer or be more efficient at killing monsters, but the perk only lasts for that playthrough and you lose all perks whether you succeed or fail.
There are over 30 levels to play, each of which have three different "planes" (or difficulty levels) with the higher planes offering up bigger challenges for better rewards. There's also a survival mode that tests how long you can last against literally endless waves of enemies and an optional DLC pack that adds more weapons and enemies to the mix.
Download: Tesla Vs Lovecraft ($9.99)
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 Evoland 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 into the game. It starts out as a pretty typical action RPG, but as you progress through the story both the graphics and gameplay take dramatic shifts which work wonderfully for keeping 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.
Horizon Chase World Tour
Horizon Chase is a fun retro-style racer with gameplay reminiscent of the classic 80s arcade racer Pole Position. Featuring bright and colorful retro graphics over 70 tracks spanning 32 cities, there's plenty of fun to be had here. You start each race from the back of a 20 car pack, and must weave your way past your opponents to take the crown. Keep winning to upgrade and unlock up 16 available cars.
Horizon Chase offers support for Bluetooth controls, which is the best way to play this game.
You get to play the San Francisco tracks but then must pay to unlock the full game. Given how beautiful and fun this game is, we bet you will.
Download: Horizon Chase (Free, $3.99 to unlock full game)
Riptide GP: Renegade
The Riptide GP series is one of the best racing games you can play on Android. The latest game in the franchise, Riptide GP: Renegade, is the best yet.
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 really 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.
Download: Riptide GP: Renegade ($2.99)
Modern Combat 5 Blackout
Years after its initial release, Modern Combat 5 Blackout remains one of the best first-person shooters available for Android. With dazzling graphics and options to play through the solo campaign or take it online, you can get an edge on your competition with a proper controller in your hand.
If the name doesn't already give it away, this is very similar to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, so if you're a fan of that series and looking for a fun option to play on the go, you'll definitely want to give this a look if you haven't yet.
Download: Modern Combat 5 Blackout (Free)
GTA: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas represents the pinnacle of Rockstar's fantastic series on the PlayStation 2. Set in a fictionalized version of Los Angeles and the surrounding area, it was an absolute masterpiece when it was released back in 2004.
Ten years later, Rockstar released San Andreas onto the Google Play Store, and it's one of the better games to play with a Bluetooth controller. You're able to go in and tweak the graphics to improve the look or flow of the game as needed for your device, and the game plays pretty well outside of the occasional glitch. Relive all the adventures of CJ and your Grove Street Family as you cause havoc on the streets of San Andreas.
Download: GTA San Andreas ($6.99
Oceanhorn
Oceanhorn is an action-RPG that is unapologetically inspired by the Zelda franchise, so if you love the look and feel of those style of games you're in for a real treat here.
Originally launched on Steam, Oceanhorn is a premium title on the Google Play Store which means you'll pay once and get to enjoy an ad-free game with no in-app purchases or weird progression stuff — you know, how games were meant to be played. The gameplay features a mix of platforming and battling alongside challenging puzzles, and the game plays as well as it looks. Grab your favorite Bluetooth controller and have a blast with Oceanhorn.
Unkilled
Unkilled is another very polished first-person shooter that fully supports Bluetooth controllers and offers over 150 missions in the single player campaign, along with multiple online multiplayer modes to choose from. As you play online, you're able to choose a preferred character class, and then upgrade your skills and weapon load-outs.
And again, using the Bluetooth controller should give you a distinct advantage against the AI zombies as well as your online opponents. Simply sync your controller with your phone and it'll automatically work when you load up Unkilled.
Sega Forever titles
Sega deserves praise for its Sega Forever program which has been porting the best gems from its vast game library to the Google Play Store. Whether you're a huge fan of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (arguably the best Sonic game ever released) or Dreamcast titles like Crazy Taxi or Super Monkeyball — they're all available as free-to-play titles with ads, or can be unlocked with no ads for just $1.99.
There are more than 20 games currently available with more added on a monthly basis. All of them can be played with touchscreen controls or with a Bluetooth controller, which is another great move by Sega because these games were designed to be played with a controller in your hand.
Skate Party 3
Do you find yourself staring longingly out the window thinking about how great Tony Hawk Pro Skater was back in the day? Me too.
While it's almost criminal that no one has ported any of those classic games to Android, Skate Party 3 offers a comparable experience that's also compatible with Bluetooth controllers. It's a little finicky and takes some time to get used to, but if you've been jonesing for a great skateboarding game to play on the go, Skate Party 3 is it. The full version is available for $1.99, but if you'd prefer to try before you buy, you can try out the lite version to see if it's worth investing in the full game.
Download: Skate Party 3 ($1.99)
Only One
Do you remember the final scene in the 2001 Jet Li movie The One? Something tells me the developers of Only One did, as the game basically plays like the final scene in that mostly forgettable action flick.
The premise is pretty simple: you stand alone on the top of a tall column with a magical sword as you fight off wave after wave after wave of enemies. The graphics are delightfully retro and the difficulty progressively as you progress through the levels. Best of all, you can connect your Bluetooth gamepad and play with more precise control. It's a free game, but you will be pestered to cheat upgrade via in-app purchases.
Download: Only One (Free w/IAPs)
Pew Pew
Keeping with the retro theme, Pew Pew is a classic-looking top-down multidirectional shoot 'em up that's a great pick up and play option. There are five unique game modes to play: Pandemonium, Dodge This, Assault, Chromatic Conflict, and Asteroids.
The game plays well enough with touch screen controls, but playing with two physical thumbsticks really makes a big difference for a game like this that demands precise controls to dodge and destroy wave after wave of enemies.
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, which means you and your friends won't need to crowd around a tablet or — even worse — smartphone to play.
Emulators
With both Nintendo and Sony re-releasing mini versions of classic consoles pre-loaded with games, emulation is back in the public consciousness. Emulators are pretty popular on the Google Play Store, and there are a number of great emulators available that let you relive the best that gaming had to offer from the 80s, 90s, and into the early 2000s. You'll just need to supply your own ROMs which can be sideloaded via microSD if your phone supports that.
Mobile emulators work especially well with Bluetooth controllers as you're typically able to map the buttons just how you want. It also provides a way better experience than the default touchscreen controls.
We'd recommend trying before you upgrade to the premium versions so you can see if it works well on your device and with your ROMs.
- Nintendo Entertainment System: Nostalgia.NES Pro
- Super Nintendo: Snes9x EX+
- Playstation: ePSXe for Android ($3.75)
- Nintendo 64: Mupen64Plus FZ
Got any great game recommendations that we missed?
Sadly, support for Bluetooth controllers is not as widespread as it could be, but there are some gems that we may have missed. Let us know in the comments!
Updated, October 1, 2019: We've added Tesla vs Lovecraft and spruced up a few other things in this list. Happy gaming!
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