Keyboard and Mouse: ALWAYS better than controllers? (Poll)

Let me just clarify this: I grew up playing consoles.

It's not that I hate PC gaming. I've just never had a PC that can run anything. I've planned on trying to get a gaming PC for a while now, but only recently had my first experience gaming on one (my friend's, from which I'm typing this now). I got the Left 4 Dead 2 demo off of Steam. I own the first game for 360, which I played a lot, so the only thing standing in my way was the control scheme...NOT being unfamiliar with how the game works.

After playing it a couple times and getting used to the feel of it, I can definitely say that KB/M is superior (controlwise) in every way. Granted, I still love the experience of kicking back on a couch and play with friends, but for straight control you can't beat KB/M for FPS.

After that though, I downloaded the Batman: Arkham Asylum demo. Now, I've already Platinumed this game (not bragging, just saying that I put a lot of time in on it with a controller). I had a sneaking suspicion that it would feel kind of awkward clicking to attack. After playing it, that's basically where I stood. I didn't have any problem getting through it. It just "felt" weird.

In the end, I'm of the opinion that KB/M is the best choice for FPS...along with other obvious nods like RTS, certain RPGs, etc. Dual analog seems like the best setup for third-person action games.

Do you guys feel the same? Have the same experience?

Let me just clarify this: I grew up playing consoles.

It's not that I hate PC gaming. I've just never had a PC that can run anything. I've planned on trying to get a gaming PC for a while now, but only recently had my first experience gaming on one (my friend's, from which I'm typing this now). I got the Left 4 Dead 2 demo off of Steam. I own the first game for 360, which I played a lot, so the only thing standing in my way was the control scheme...NOT being unfamiliar with how the game works.

After playing it a couple times and getting used to the feel of it, I can definitely say that KB/M is superior (controlwise) in every way. Granted, I still love the experience of kicking back on a couch and play with friends, but for straight control you can't beat KB/M for FPS.

After that though, I downloaded the Batman: Arkham Asylum demo. Now, I've already Platinumed this game (not bragging, just saying that I put a lot of time in on it with a controller). I had a sneaking suspicion that it would feel kind of awkward clicking to attack. After playing it, that's basically where I stood. I didn't have any problem getting through it. It just "felt" weird.

In the end, I'm of the opinion that KB/M is the best choice for FPS...along with other obvious nods like RTS, certain RPGs, etc. Dual analog seems like the best setup for third-person action games.

Do you guys feel the same? Have the same experience?

Sure, for RPGS, shooters and stuff. I had to say both though because they're not to good with fighting games.thecreechxxx

I'm of the belief that fighters should either be played with an arcade stick or a good controller.

For shooters and RTS games, yeah. For everything else, no. But then that's why I bought a 360 controller too, which is fully compatible with Windows.

Both have their limitations. Thats why PC rules because you can use both.

Almost always, even controller designed games like Batman, Assassins Creed and Prototype imo felt much better on a mouse and keyboard due to the more freedom the mouse gives for moving the camera around, it just feels alot more natural to me, but ive always used m/kb.

Fighters and racing games are the only genres i can think of that i really much prefer a controller for, even then i know people who use a keyboard for them.

just for strategy games and fps, but for CoD I would use the controllers

not for me I prefer controller just for the simple reason that I don't like to be to close to the screen, even though k/m feels good and the aiming is great the controller just has a feel to it.

Keyboard/mouse is undoubtably the best control system for everything except fighters, where arcade set-ups reign supreme. Also, racers, where wheels rule the land.

sad how wiimote gets none

Define "better". More precise? Keyboard and mouse, in my opinion. More comfortable? Dual analog gamepad, in my opinion. I care more about being comfortable than I do about being precise, so for me, it's a gamepad. Others may prefer precision over comfort, and so choose the mouse.lowe0

If you find the right mouse, it can be 10x more comfortable than a controller ever could be.

Define "better". More precise? Keyboard and mouse, in my opinion. More comfortable? Dual analog gamepad, in my opinion. I care more about being comfortable than I do about being precise, so for me, it's a gamepad. Others may prefer precision over comfort, and so choose the mouse.lowe0

And some may find the mouse and keyboard more comfortable and choose comfort and precision :P

Poll is a bit odd, due to the fact that keyboard/mouse is necessary for an RTS- and IMO preferable for a FPS...

but a platformer, fighter, or racer is of course better with a controller...

isn't this already common sense??

Define "better". More precise? Keyboard and mouse, in my opinion. More comfortable? Dual analog gamepad, in my opinion. I care more about being comfortable than I do about being precise, so for me, it's a gamepad. Others may prefer precision over comfort, and so choose the mouse.lowe0

This is correct but it is only part of the enigma, because what good is this so called precision in a fighter or what is so comfortable in having to press a button to open a menu just so that you can press the same button again to open a sub menu and then you have to go option by option until you reach the desired one.

I pretty much agree with common knowledge, although I prefer a controller for FPS.

However, I think it is more the game than the genre. I played AC on my friends PC to see how it controlled... not good. However, games like Age of Empries can only be played with a keyboard and mouse.

[QUOTE="lowe0"]Define "better". More precise? Keyboard and mouse, in my opinion. More comfortable? Dual analog gamepad, in my opinion. I care more about being comfortable than I do about being precise, so for me, it's a gamepad. Others may prefer precision over comfort, and so choose the mouse.Phoenix534

If you find the right mouse, it can be 10x more comfortable than a controller ever could be.

[QUOTE="lowe0"]Define "better". More precise? Keyboard and mouse, in my opinion. More comfortable? Dual analog gamepad, in my opinion. I care more about being comfortable than I do about being precise, so for me, it's a gamepad. Others may prefer precision over comfort, and so choose the mouse.Phoenix534

If you find the right mouse, it can be 10x more comfortable than a controller ever could be.

For first person shooters, it's easily the best.

Third person... Uhhh. Never played one.

RTS's, easily the best.

Platformers/racing and pretty much every other game, controller all the way.

I like the keyboard and mouse better for First AND Third person shooters, but the controller is better for third person action games.

Pretty much I like the keyboard and mouse better for anything that involves aiming (shooters) or anything that involves pointing and clicking (puzzle, p&c adventure, RTS, TBS, RPG), and the controller for most other things .

KBM for FPS and RTS

Controller for platformers, fighters, TPS

After that, I don't care.

I'm about even with KB/M and Controller for FPS and TPS, however for racing games, Controller > KB/M. That is about the only genre I can think of where the Controller beats out the KB/M.

I like the keyboard and mouse better for First AND Third person shooters, but the controller is better for third person action games.

Pretty much I like the keyboard and mouse better for anything that involves aiming (shooters) or anything that involves pointing and clicking (puzzle, p&c adventure, RTS, TBS, RPG), and the controller for most other things .

MetroidPrimePwn

So what would you pick for a game like Uncharted?

more precise theres no doubt a kb/m is more precise than a gamepad, but even tho i just switched to console gaming (used to play cs for 8 years on da pc) The satisfaction and amazement i get when i get a nice kill with the gamepad, it really satisfies me more and its crazy to actually see how precise u can be with a gamepad.... my 2 cents

Mouse and keyboard is better for first person shooters and RPG's, but a gamepad is better for platformers and action adventure. They both work fine for anything though.

gamepad all the way....I have used m/k for a game or 2 in the day. BUT not any longer. I do like the mouse, but the keyboard s.u.x plain and simple.

Keyboard and mouse are best for RTSs, Adventure(point n click), Simulation and MMOs.

It's overrated for FPSs, the mouse is awesome as it's more precise than a analog stick, but for keyboard, I personally don't see how great it is with those keys too spread apart. At least it's customizable. Using a controller is faster and easier for me and I can actually use the analog stick well, unlike some people...

For every other genre, controller works very well.

It's overrated for FPSs, the mouse is awesome as it's more precise than a analog stick, but for keyboard, I personally don't see how great it is with those keys too spread apart. At least it's customizable. Using a controller is faster and easier for me and I can actually use the analog stick well, unlike some people...mitu123

The keyboard isn't the best thing about the setup, but it works, and gives you a lot of options for control.Small price to pay for the aiming being vastly more intuitive.

Plus there's always these things, if you want something more gaming-oriented than a standard keyboard.

It depends on the game, of course K&M is best for FPS and RTS games.

[QUOTE="mitu123"]It's overrated for FPSs, the mouse is awesome as it's more precise than a analog stick, but for keyboard, I personally don't see how great it is with those keys too spread apart. At least it's customizable. Using a controller is faster and easier for me and I can actually use the analog stick well, unlike some people...Cherokee_Jack

The keyboard isn't the best thing about the setup, but it works, and gives you a lot of options for control.Small price to pay for the aiming being vastly more intuitive.

Plus there's always these things, if you want something more gaming-oriented than a standard keyboard.

RTS, PNC adventure games (obviously :P), RPGS and MMOS are better with KB/M imo... more comfortable

FPS is 50/50 and HNS, Racing, platformers and sports games are better with controller imo.

I feel it is superior for games the require alot of mouse movement (sim games, FPS, RTS) and such. I find it vastly inferior for sports, fighting, racing, action adventure, platforming, and more.

While it is superior for FPS' compared to dual analog, I feel the wii remote>Keyboard and mouse for fps.

I say KB/M, especially this generation. I can't stand the huge delay that happens with wireless console controllers.

So what would you pick for a game like Uncharted?

Ryan_Som

Well, for Uncharted, I'd pick the controller because it's only on PlayStation 3 :P

[QUOTE="Ryan_Som"]

So what would you pick for a game like Uncharted?

MetroidPrimePwn

Well, for Uncharted, I'd pick the controller because it's only on PlayStation 3 :P

Ahh, you trickster. :P

You know what I meant. Hypothetically speaking.

k/m is best for any game the involves aiming, but if there is driving or for sports, fighters etc gamepad is better. gamepad works better across all types of games but k/m is way better for any sort of shooter. imprezawrx500

MOUSE is better for aiming...NOT keyboard.

Keyboard and mouse for games that require alot of inputs such has MMOs, FPS, RTS, etc etc

I'd say both. Keyboard & mouse for shooters & MMORPG's & controllers for action/adventure, fighting games, some RPG's, & some other genres.

Dual analog is just terrible for shooters.

Depends on the type of game really. Keyboard and Mouse is the best controller period for FPS, TPS, RTS, MMORPGs and RPGs of the Baldur's Gate style. Controllers are better for pretty much everything else.

no. the arcade stick setup, for example, is always better than a keyboard and mouse for fighting games. flight sticks and throttles are always better for flight games. wheels and pedals are always better for racing games. outside of those obvious cases of specialty controllers, though, the kn/m is superior, especially for strategy and fps.