""gamepad recommended""

[TwinEdgedBastard]

What is up with this message appearing in a lot of 2D platformers? I understand that a lot of game devs likely grew up with consoles (which for the longest time had the lions share of good platformers). But I can't see how they would come to the conclusion that keyboard + mouse is somehow inferior to controllers to the point that the message "gamepad recommended" will appear somewhere in the intro or menu of their games.

I can't think of any platformer that I've played (or even haven't played) that would be superior with a controller. Platformers basically never use analog controls, and those that do usually use it for aiming, something that can be done easily with a mouse.

Responsiveness or button layout also doesn't play much if any role to ones ability to play platformers. I myself have beaten Super Meat Boy, N++, The Ori series, Dead Cells, Oddworld, and more all with a keyboard and mouse. I never felt at any point that switching to a controller would have made things easier for me.

Surely controller players switching to kb + m for platformers isn't as jarring as lets say a kb + m switching to controller for a shooter. Worth pointing out that we don't ever see "kb + m recommended" in shooters.

So what's up with this anti-keyboard + mouse bias?

[Alliesaurus]

I'm the complete opposite on this topic, to me, the only games that are superior with kbm are RTS and FPS. I've played plenty of platformers and I prefer controllers every time.

[TwinEdgedBastard]

Originally posted by Das Commander Femboy Pümper:

I'm the complete opposite on this topic, to me, the only games that are superior with kbm are RTS and FPS. I've played plenty of platformers and I prefer controllers.

This is less of a question about "preference" and more of a question about how I don't see enough of a difference between the two to warrant games including the message "gamepad recommended".

Edit: For platformers specifically the warning "gamepad recommended" shows up. For shooters, there's no message what so ever, even though I reckon there's a significantly greater disparity between kb + M and controller when it comes to shooters. Controller users straight up need the game to help them aim.

[Hammer Of Evil]

Originally posted by TwinEdgedBastard:

What is up with this message appearing in a lot of 2D platformers?

the devs designed the game with a controller in mind.

and they really do play better than on m/kb for most simple games.

if the game is more complex and needs more binds but less movement accuracy i find kb/m to be more ideal.

[Alliesaurus]

Originally posted by TwinEdgedBastard:

Originally posted by Das Commander Femboy Pümper:

I'm the complete opposite on this topic, to me, the only games that are superior with kbm are RTS and FPS. I've played plenty of platformers and I prefer controllers.

This is less of a question about "preference" and more of a question about how I don't see enough of a difference between the two to warrant games including the message "gamepad recommended".

Button layout, muscle memory and reaction time, particularly for difficult platformers. Not to mention it is much more comfortable using a controller for extensive periods of gaming. And because it is more comfortable, u are giving full concentration to the game than if u were getting cramp etc from using kbm for extensive periods.

[TwinEdgedBastard]

Originally posted by Das Commander Femboy Pümper:

Originally posted by TwinEdgedBastard:

This is less of a question about "preference" and more of a question about how I don't see enough of a difference between the two to warrant games including the message "gamepad recommended".

Button layout, muscle memory and reaction time, particularly for difficult platformers. Not to mention it is much more comfortable using a controller for extensive periods of gaming.

That's where I disagree heavily. I've not had any issues with any of those things you mentioned while using a keyboard + mouse. KB + M is just as comfortable as controller for me.

[Rotan]

I always find controllers are more comfy but I play better with keyboard/mouse but can easily play with both

[GlaceonChireiden]

2D platformers tend to require your fingers to constantly hover over buttons for quick actions. It's definitely doable with kb, but it can feel really awkward moving your hand to hit a key that happens to be at an awkward angle.

They probably put that notice there because platformers are usually a lot more comfortable with controllers anyways. Easier to make small movements, the buttons are a lot closer to each other and in a more comfortable range, that sort of stuff.

Though this all comes down to personal preference. I use controllers on platformers because that's what I'm used to, having grown up as a console person (and to this day still prefer controllers over kb+m for 90% of games).

[gugnihr]

I would recommend gamepad too, and not only on platformers... but you know if you want to ruin your experience and your fun with boring mouse and keyboard you can do so.

[Apollyon]

I recently played a game that had that message and I can definitely see why it's there. It's just for convenience, certain things are easier to do with a controller vs a mouse. In my case, some menus were terrible to navigate with keyboard and mouse, for instance.

[gugnihr]

Anyway you know, if you have a cxomputer you already have a mouse and keyboard, but some people might not have a controller.
Don't get me wrng imo joypads are fun and keyboard + mouse is boring and sad (and frustrating too) but probably it is just a way to convince people to spend more money.
Probably MS just want to sell a few more joypads. You know most people will buy those on PC.

[TwinEdgedBastard]

Originally posted by 🕱 God-Emperor Nox 🕱:

I recently played a game that had that message and I can definitely see why it's there. It's just for convenience, certain things are easier to do with a controller vs a mouse. In my case, some menus were terrible to navigate with keyboard and mouse, for instance.

I would pin that down to poor menu design (or kb + m negligence) rather than a case of keyboard and mouse being inferior. Besides, it's the menu, not the actual game.

[TwinEdgedBastard]

Originally posted by AustrAlien2010:

They never use analogue controls? You may want to do some fact checking there.

To clarify, "never" as in it is necessary for gameplay. I've only seen analogue controls in platformers be used for either "walking" or aiming. The former is rarely if ever necessary, while the latter can be done with a mouse.

[Apollyon]

Originally posted by TwinEdgedBastard:

I would pin that down to poor menu design (or kb + m negligence) rather than a case of keyboard and mouse being inferior. Besides, it's the menu, not the actual game.

Huh? Don't recall ever claiming one or the other to be superior. I'd appreciate it if you stopped putting words in my mouth, friendo.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type of game one is playing.

[craigsters]

I bought all the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games one steam sale, and was mad when a joystick emulator program was needed to play them because they were designed for K&M play in mind only

[Moogal]

Originally posted by Das Commander Femboy Pümper:

I've played plenty of platformers and I prefer controllers every time.

Same.