What videogames are you playing in 2026?

[Parmandur]

Even when I was in over 30 years ago,the tank simulator driving control look a whole lot like what would eventually be a Xbox style controller. Saying that, I realize I have no idea when controllers started looking like that. I was a PC gamer my entire childhood minus the Atari 2600.

The N64 introduced the analog stick to game controllers in 1996, then the first Dualshock introduced a second one late in the PS1 era. Then the PS2, GameCube and Xbox solidified that array at the start of the Aughts. Prior to that, the D-pad was the primary movement input, which is essentially identical to a keyboard set up but easier on the thumb.

They are all basically SNES controllers with a couple sticks and a few extra shoulder buttons.

 

[Reynard]

The N64 introduced the analog stick to game controllers in 1996, then the first Dualshock introduced a second one late in the PS1 era. Then the PS2, GameCube and Xbox solidified that array at the start of the Aughts. Prior to that, the D-pad was the primary movement input, which is essentially identical to a keyboard set up but easier on the thumb.

They are all basically SNES controllers with a couple sticks and a few extra shoulder buttons.

My tank Sim experience was 1994 or 1995.

 

[Thomas Shey]

I have been playing a lot of Stellaris since the update a week ago. Or rather I have been watching it while it runs. I literally described it to my friend as like watching paint dry if painting drying were somehow still compelling and addicting, . I am too much of a turtle for this game, and I like to just fiddle with it more so than I really like conquering the galaxy I think.

This might explain why I've bounced off of it twice now, even though its theoretically a game of a type I like.

 

[Parmandur]

My tank Sim experience was 1994 or 1995.

Definitely wouldn't surprise me if Nintendo was pulling from mature military developed tech, that is the sort of off the wall thinking their R&D deals in.

 

[MarkB]

I have been playing a lot of Stellaris since the update a week ago. Or rather I have been watching it while it runs. I literally described it to my friend as like watching paint dry if painting drying were somehow still compelling and addicting, . I am too much of a turtle for this game, and I like to just fiddle with it more so than I really like conquering the galaxy I think.

I always enjoyed the space exploration more than the war and politicking. One of my favourite playthroughs was as a hive-mind devour-everything species on a max-size map with only about two or three other empires. Just loads of sciencing, exploration and expansion punctuated by occasional gobbling when we ran into new neighbours.

 

[gban007]

I have been playing a lot of Stellaris since the update a week ago. Or rather I have been watching it while it runs. I literally described it to my friend as like watching paint dry if painting drying were somehow still compelling and addicting, . I am too much of a turtle for this game, and I like to just fiddle with it more so than I really like conquering the galaxy I think.

I like firing up Imperator Rome every now and then in spectator mode and just watch what the various countries, tribes and empires do.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I recently (finally) got a Xbox controller for my PC. What Steam games are must-play with a controller rather than M&C?

I'll tell you a weird one, Caves of Qud.

It's a true Roguelike (not the modern usage, the old "a game that works like Rogue/Angband/etc."), and it's incredibly good, well-written, clever, really shockingly good gameplay, insane replayability etc.

But the oddest thing about it is that it has an incredibly good controller setup. Most Rogue-type games are very heavily keyboard-based and use a large number of keys, and you can play that way, but... don't. The controller just makes it so much more pleasant to play and so much more intuitive after even a few minutes.

Re: Soulslikes, I would say maybe don't lump Elden Ring in with the rest unless you've played it, because I think for a lot of people it removes most of the most disagreeable-to-them traits of Soulslikes (particularly getting stuck on some unavoidable boss). However if you just hate RPGs which don't have quicksave/quickload, or third-person RPGs, then fair enough you'll dislike that too!

As for other games, well:

Pretty much any Metroidvania or platformer goes from annoying to much better with controller.
Third-person action games as noted.
Fighting games basically require a controller. (Absolum and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge are both extremely good single-player or co-op sidescrolling beat-em-ups)
Games where driving or flying are a significant part of things benefit hugely from a controller - you might enjoy for example the very chill Snowrunner, which about driving big heavy trucks and 4x4s and so on very carefully in snow and mud with realistic physics (not racing to be clear, it's mostly doing tasks, like transporting goods or towing other vehicles or the like).
JRPGs - The best recent one are Metaphor: ReFantazio and Expedition 33, both of which are tremendous.

Probably think of more later.

 

[Reynard]

I'll tell you a weird one, Caves of Qud.

It's a true Roguelike (not the modern usage, the old "a game that works like Rogue/Angband/etc."), and it's incredibly good, well-written, clever, really shockingly good gameplay, insane replayability etc.

But the oddest thing about it is that it has an incredibly good controller setup. Most Rogue-type games are very heavily keyboard-based and use a large number of keys, and you can play that way, but... don't. The controller just makes it so much more pleasant to play and so much more intuitive after even a few minutes.

CoQ has been on my radar for a long time but I am a little intimidated by it, having never played a true roguelike.

Re: Soulslikes, I would say maybe don't lump Elden Ring in with the rest unless you've played it, because I think for a lot of people it removes most of the most disagreeable-to-them traits of Soulslikes (particularly getting stuck on some unavoidable boss). However if you just hate RPGs which don't have quicksave/quickload, or third-person RPGs, then fair enough you'll dislike that too!

I should give Elden Ring another go. It is gorgeous and I appreciate subtle storytelling. I just hate frustrating fights.

As for other games, well:

Pretty much any Metroidvania or platformer goes from annoying to much better with controller.

Maybe Dead Cells? That one is supposed to be good.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

Yes! I forgot this existed.

I should finally pick up Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance (the old one) -- I love a good barrel smasher, especially if it isn't saddled with annoying boss fights.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

The N64 introduced the analog stick to game controllers in 1996

This is the INTERNET, sir, and as such, my pedantry instincts have overridden my good sense and I must, simply must point out that this is not in fact completely accurate!

Even if we ignore the the various pre-NES analog controllers, and ignore all the analog PC joysticks of the 1980s and 1990s, the first actual analog controller for a modern console is the Sega Mission Stick for the Saturn in 1995.

Mission Stick - Sega Retro

segaretro.org

And the N64 only beat Sega's more mass-market Dreams analog controller to market by like 8 days, and Sony had the dual-stick setup about 10 months later, so must have started work before the N64 released.

The pedant's answer must be that the N64 was the first console since the pre-NES generation to have an analog stick as a default part of the normal controller, which was pretty important because it deeply influenced what games people made for the N64.

 

[Gradine]

This is the INTERNET, sir, and as such, my pedantry instincts have overridden my good sense and I must, simply must point out that this is not in fact completely accurate!

Even if we ignore the the various pre-NES analog controllers, and ignore all the analog PC joysticks of the 1980s and 1990s, the first actual analog controller for a modern console is the Sega Mission Stick for the Saturn in 1995.

Mission Stick - Sega Retro

segaretro.org

And the N64 only beat Sega's more mass-market Dreams analog controller to market by like 8 days, and Sony had the dual-stick setup about 10 months later, so must have started work before the N64 released.

The pedant's answer must be that the N64 was the first console since the pre-NES generation to have an analog stick as a default part of the normal controller, which was pretty important because it deeply influenced what games people made for the N64.

In addition, all of those other controllers were designed with actual human physiology in mind, so that's another point in their favor