Xbox Series X/S Games You Should Play With A Mouse And Keyboard

Microsoft’s consoles are the perfect choice for players who don’t want a PC but can't stand using a gamepad in typical mouse and keyboard games like shooters or RTS titles. Though Microsoft does have some official sets of mice and keyboards for the Xbox Series S/X, any old USB keyboard should work just fine. Some users report good results even with Bluetooth devices, though those seem to be less consistent.

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Unlike other consoles, Microsoft’s ecosystem allows users to interact with the OS directly with a mouse. Xbox owners don’t even need to plug in a gamepad to start their games. As long as the games themselves support a mouse and keyboard, the experience is like that of a gaming PC.

Updated on May 8, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: The Xbox Series X and S have done a great job of making gaming accessible for all, even if some people feel like the console doesn't really warrant a purchase given how most of its games are available on other platforms. That being said, fans are still more than pleased by the console's vast library of games, letting them check out a wealth of games from different genres and understand firsthand why these games have such a soft spot in the hearts of many fans. The fact that this console supports keyboard and mouse support for specific games ensures that gaming remains accessible for players regardless of the control scheme they prefer, with some games arguably benefiting from this alternate mode of control.

1 Final Fantasy 14 Online

A Genre-Defining MMORPG That's Easier To Control With Mouse Support And Keyboard Shortcuts

Final Fantasy 14 is one of the best MMORPGs of the modern era, finally becoming the WoW killer that every game in the genre tried to be after Blizzard's classic title took the world by storm. The amazing story-driven nature of this MMO is something that takes most fans by surprised, with the worldbuilding and gameplay being second to none in the genre.

Given how complex this game can get at times, it's easy to see why some people would like this game to have mouse and keyboard support on alternate platforms to make the act of executing complex commands simpler. This is precisely why players on the Xbox consoles who play Final Fantasy 14 will love this alternate control scheme in some of the game's harder raids.

2 Football Manager 2024 Console

Navigating A Wealth Of Menus Is Just Easier With A Mouse

It's a testament to how popular Football Manager is that a version of this title is released on consoles. The act of looking at spreadsheets, managing training routines, answering the media, and choosing formations has made this franchise incredibly popular, and it's nice to see that console players can join in the fun too.

However, using a controller to navigate the numerous menus and sub-menus in this game can become rather grating after a point. Players who are invested in what this title has to offer will love the opportunity to try out a different control scheme that feels more intuitive. Given that Football Manager is a game that was originally made for PC, it's easy to see why a mouse and keyboard would be invaluable here.

3 House Flipper

The First-Person Perspective Makes Mouselook A More Optimal Way To Control The Game

Indie gaming has allowed a lot of cozy games to take over the gaming landscape, with House Flipper being a standout in this regard. Players who want to demolish and recreate houses in their image will love what this title brings to the table. For what it's worth, the controller is perfectly serviceable for this game, but the first-person perspective does make it more appropriate to use a mouse and keyboard instead.

Executing actions and deciding where to place things or destroy stuff is easier with the mouse. The previous few seconds that players can save with each action when they use the mouse and keyboard more than make it worth connecting these devices to the Xbox Series X to make the gameplay as optimized as possible.

4 Age Of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition

The Newest Entry In The RTS Series That Most Fans Would Prefer Playing With A Mouse & Keyboard

It's only a given that most people would prefer to play RTS games using a keyboard and mouse. Age of Empires 4 is no exception here, with many players surprised that this game was released on Xbox consoles a few months after its PC release.

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By  Ritwik Mitra

While controller support for this game is pretty impressive, most players would prefer to use a mouse to give commands easily. This support has been added for the game's console releases, which is very much appreciated.

5 Deep Rock Galactic

A Fun Co-op FPS, Where Players Control Space-Mining Dwarves

A beautiful and compelling co-op FPS that a lot of gamers love, Deep Rock Galactic has a great premise made even better by its compelling combat and procedural design. Controlling a group of intergalactic dwarven miners as they explore the deepest recesses of space is a blast.

Deep Rock Galactic promotes teamwork without being too strategic, meaning that players can have a great time shooting enemies as long as they have their teammates' backs. The game is a blast to play through, and those who use a mouse to aim will be able to wipe out foes with incredibly accurate shots.

6 F1 Manager 2023

Easy To Micromanage With A Mouse And Keyboard

Players who love the world of motorsports and want to feel like they are a part of it will love what F1 Manager 2023 has to offer. It lets players control an existing or original team in the sport, hiring drivers and racking up points to become as successful as possible.

A mouse and keyboard lets players navigate menus and select options faster, which is pretty helpful in a game where there are so many things to check out in any given situation. F1 Manager 2023 has a few problems that are hard to ignore, but players who want a more approachable motorsport manager game will appreciate what this title has to offer.

7 Solasta: Crown Of The Magister

Any CRPG Would Be Better With A Control Scheme Fit For A Computer

The CRPG genre has witnessed a major revival in modern times, which makes for a great sight for fans of the many classic role-playing games out there. The mere fact that these games are being ported to consoles is a testament to how popular this genre has become.

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Solasta: Crown of the Magister is one such game that is a blast to play through, even if the story is a bit cliched. The tactical combat is fairly approachable, making it easy to access for beginners to the genre. As one would expect, a mouse and keyboard make this game way easier to control for most players.

8 Age Of Empires 2: Definitive Edition

A Legendary RTS Where A Mouse Makes Everything Easier

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is a classic real-time strategy game that needs no introduction. Any person even remotely familiar with this title knows why it's best played with a mouse and keyboard.

There are multiple units and complex strategies present in the game that can be hard to pull off on a controller. Meanwhile, the precision of the mouse and the multitude of keys on a keyboard ensure that players can carry out many commands and deploy units without too many problems.

9 Atomic Heart

It's Easier To Be Accurate In Any FPS With Mouse & Keyboard Controls

Atomic Heart is a first-person shooter that features fast-paced action and requires precise aiming and movement. While the controller gets the job done in many ways, it's only a given that an FPS title would benefit from the precise aiming afforded by a mouse.

Exploration and combat become way easier with a mouse and keyboard, helping players out during tough combat challenges where every single bullet increases their chances of dying to the many robotic enemies in the game. It's pretty much a no-brainer, and players who want to focus on the great world-building and unique story of Atomic Heart without getting frustrated too much by its combat would benefit from this alternate control scheme.

10 Metro Exodus

Given How Challenging This FPS Is, More Accurate Controls Are Quite Welcome

Metro Exodus is a post-apocalyptic first-person shooter game that serves as the last title in a hardcore FPS series where death awaits the player at every corner. This game went for an open-world approach that turned out to be a huge success in every way.

As is the case with other titles in the series, Metro Exodus is a challenging game where players will value precision aiming over everything else. This makes it important to use a mouse and keyboard for better aiming and easier access to the many other gameplay aspects of this title.