As powerful and wonderful as an iPad is at doing productivity related work, it’s also an excellent device to play some games on. Whether you’re playing offline games on your iPad, or looking for something fun that you can play with a controller connected to your iPad, there’s just a lot you can do on an iPad. So, here are the 10 best controller games for iPad that you should definitely play.
1. TMNT Shredder’s Revenge
If you’re a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this new Netflix game is definitely something you should try. Shredder’s Revenge comes with controller support on iPad, which means you can enjoy this action-packed game while sitting back on your couch.
You can choose to play as any one of the Ninja Turtles, and clear out levels filled with loads of enemies. Personally, I love playing as Raph, and I enjoy the quick-action that his weapons and fighting style bring to the table. However, you can also play as Donnie, Mikey, or Leo — each of whom bring advantages in either speed, armor, or range.
Take down enemies, and throw a wrench in the evil plans of Shredder and Krang. Overall, TMNT Shredder’s Revenge is an insanely fun controller game for iPad that you should definitely try. You can download the game for free, but do note that you will need a Netflix subscription to play it.
2. Dead Cells
Dead Cells is not a new game, but it is, by far, one of the most engrossing controller games for iPad that I have ever played. In this game, you play as “dead cells” quite literally, who control a headless body. You will find yourself thrown into action-packed levels full of enemies, bosses, and traps in this rougevania game.
If your character dies, you restart the game from the bottom and fight again. It’s an incredibly addictive game that’s a lot of fun to play with a controller, and thanks to the constantly changing castle that you fight through, each time you restart the game you will find something different to face.
You will collect souls as you defeat enemies, and use them to upgrade your weapons, life potions, and more stats — which are permanent upgrades. So, the next time you want to try out a game that will have you stuck to your iPad’s screen until the battery gives up, check out Dead Cells for sure.
3. Madden NFL
If you’re a football fan, Madden NFL is definitely a game you should try playing on your iPad. It features licensed teams from the NFL, so you can pick your favourite team and guide them through to victory against their opponents.
You can choose the plays you want to make, control the players as you rush towards the end zone, and pull off some amazing moves thanks to the controller support in the game.
Plus, you can collect player cards and build your own fantasy NFL team as well.
The game also features an improved playbook to give you full control over your team in online matches, which means you can finally live out your fantasy of coaching your very own NFL team and guide them to victory over any and every challenger out there. Plus, if you have ever wanted to be a part of the real NFL season, Madden comes with in-game events that will let you do just that.
4. Playdead’s INSIDE
If you’ve ever played Limbo, you will love Playdead’s INSIDE as well. It comes from the same developers, and it’s an amazingly fun game to play with a controller on your iPad. In INSIDE, you control a kid, and try to get past levels filled with obstacles that will make you scratch your head, all while avoiding flashlight toting guards who will try and capture you if you’re not hiding properly.
The game’s design and music are really well done, and if you enjoy playing games that aren’t just about action-packed levels, but require more well thought out decisions, then INSIDE is definitely something you should check out.
5. Sky: Children of the Light
Another puzzle-adventure game with controller support that you can try on your iPad, Sky: Children of the Light brings a beautiful, animated kingdom to your screen. You’re a child of the light, and you’ll find yourself navigating through various regions, solving puzzles to return stars to their constellations.
The game features a social aspect as well, and you will come across other players in the game, with whom you can join hands (literally) and go on adventures together. Sky brings a wonderful blend of beautiful graphics, friendship, and puzzle-solving, which makes for a remarkable experience on the iPad. If you enjoy games that will relax you, and where you don’t need to worry about combat, then Sky: Children of the Light is a game you should check out.
6. Asphalt Legends
If you’re looking for a racing game with controller support on iPad, try Asphalt Legends. It is the successor to the massively popular Asphalt 8, and it brings improved graphics and gameplay, and thanks to the new TouchDrive system, if you’re not too good at racing, you can still play the game easily. However, hardcore fans of racing games can turn off the TouchDrive system and play the game with full control of their cars as well.
Asphalt 9 features over 250 cars that you can unlock (or buy) as you progress through the game, and it supports multiplayer as well, which means you can race against real players from around the world. This is definitely one of the best racing games with controller support for iPad.
7. GTA San Andreas
Technically, all three GTA games available on the iPad come with controller support. However, personally, I really enjoy playing GTA San Andreas on the iPad. The graphics look amazing in the Definitive Edition of the game, and I have always been a fan of San Andreas’ plot and story.
Since this is an open world game, you get plenty of opportunities to not just follow along with the missions but also to explore the world of San Andreas and do all sorts of crazy weird stuff without any problems (except the cops will chase you down if you’re too much of a nuisance). Apart from that, playing San Andreas with a controller on the iPad is a lot of fun, and you will find yourself not wanting to put it down even after hours of running through the streets as CJ, “borrowing” cars from people, and just getting into all sorts of hijinks.
8. Real Racing 3
Real Racing 3 is another really fun racing game for fans of track racing. Whether you want to get started with a career in F1, or join the WRC, Real Racing 3 brings all these game modes straight to your iPad.
The game is fairly straightforward, and whether you’re a pro-racer or a beginner, you can enjoy racing here. For beginners there are assist features, which make racing very simple, and for pros, you can just turn off the assists and get full control over the car.
Real Racing 3 also features multiplayer, so you can race your favourite cars against your friends or with other racers around the world. Plus, the graphics here are really good, plus the game has sponsors such as Red Bull Racing, Audi, among others, and you get fully licensed cars to race with as well.
9. Katana ZERO
Another really fun controller game that you can play on your iPad is Katana ZERO. This is a Netflix game, which means you do need to have a Netflix subscription to play it, but it’s a really unique game to try.
As the name would suggest, your character in this game is armed with a Katana, and you have to clear out levels filled with enemies by slashing through them. Your character also gets special abilities which will allow you to run through lasers without dying, and even slow down time to move through seemingly impossible obstacles on your way.
After each level, you can watch a replay, and you also get to go home and rest in between levels. However, this too has its own story going, where you get recurring nightmares and you’re also trying to figure out what they mean, alongside carrying out your missions.
It’s a very fun game that you should definitely check out if you enjoy action packed games with an interesting story, and pixel graphics.
10. Bastion
Bastion, the widely loved RPG, is also available on iPad, and it comes with controller support which makes it a lot more fun. The game has you, as the protagonist, exploring over 40 handpainted environments. On your way, you will face off against a variety of enemies, pick up weapons and powerups, and more. Plus, you can upgrade your weapons to have a slightly easier time through the game.
Bastion also features a beautiful soundtrack, and it’s an amazing experience when played with headphones on. You get the beginning part of the game for free, and you can then unlock the rest of the game with an in-app purchase. If you’re a fan of RPGs, and you’re looking for an amazing RPG for your iPad, you should check out Bastion for sure.
Well, those were the 10 best controller games for iPad that you should play if you’re looking for something to pass the time without having to use touch screen controls in your games. If you know of any other games that you think deserve to be on this list, do let us know about them in the comments.
